The Chair’s Blog

All the latest news.

  • Old Bailey Choir performing again on behalf of the Fund

    I am very pleased to announce that the fabulous Old Bailey Choir will be performing “By the Waters Edge”, narrated by Mr Larry Lamb, of Eastenders and Gavin & Stacey fame, on 8 October 2025 in the Grand Hall at the Old Bailey. All proceeds will go to the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund. For further…

    Read more: Old Bailey Choir performing again on behalf of the Fund
  • 2025 Annual Report published

    Our 2025 Annual Report was published today. It was an exceptionally busy year and another record breaking one, with grant expenditure hitting an all-time high for the second year running of £242,000. With income from donations remaining largely static at just under £200,000, this increase in grants meant that grant expenditure exceeded donation income this…

    Read more: 2025 Annual Report published
  • Three new rehabilitation projects funded

    Thanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts of the Sheriffs, the Recorder and members of the Advisory Council over the last two years, we have been able to continue to support some excellent rehabilitation projects in the London prisons, including three new projects: the StandOut project at HMP Wandsworth, Onwards & Upwards’ XO Barbers project at…

    Read more: Three new rehabilitation projects funded
  • Grant expenditure hits all-time high

    Over the last two years the Fund has seen a huge increase in the number of applicationsis, which is not surprising given that over 17,000 prisoners have been released under the Government’s Early Release Scheme to try and alleviate the prison crisis. We received 1,376 grant applications this last financial year, funding all 1,339 eligible…

    Read more: Grant expenditure hits all-time high
  • Online Applications now live

    I am pleased to be able to report that grant applications to the Fund can now be made online.  This should make the application process more accessible to probation officers and expedite the grant making process so that we are able to reach beneficiaries quicker, when they are most vulnerable and their needs are greatest.…

    Read more: Online Applications now live
  • Positive Impact Assessment

    I am delighted to report that an independent evaluation of the impact of the Fund, specifically the grants made to prison leavers, has confirmed the positive impact that these grants have. Of the probation officers and other practitioners researched, 71% say the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund’s grants reduce the likelihood of reoffending, 67% say the…

    Read more: Positive Impact Assessment
  • Chess in Prisons visit

    We were very grateful to the Governor of HMP Wormwood Scrubs for inviting us to see in action the Chess in Prisons project that we have provided some funding for. Chess is a readily available, low-cost, purposeful activity that offers inmates critical skills for life on the outside. It is a game of consequences that…

    Read more: Chess in Prisons visit
  • Christmas Carol Service

    The fabulous Old Bailey Choir treated us to another feast of Christmas Carols to a packed audience in the Grand Hall of the Old Bailey. Once again, thank you to the Choir and to everyone who attended and donated so generously for the benefit of the Fund.

    Read more: Christmas Carol Service
  • New Advisory Council member

    I am delighted to welcome the Reverend Jo Davies as a new member of the Advisory Council. Jo is an ordained priest in the Church of England and has been involved in Prison Ministry for over 27 years, most recently, but now retired, as Managing Chaplain at HMP Pentonville.  She is a Trustee of The…

    Read more: New Advisory Council member
  • New Trustee

    I am delighted to welcome Kate Fenwick, who has brought such enthusiasm and energy as an Advisory Council member over the last three years, as a new Trustee of the Fund.

    Read more: New Trustee