This Year's Shrieval Theme | The High Sheriff of Oxfordshire

Hearing the Young Unheard

The Shrieval Theme of John May, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire 2025–2026

Many young people in Oxfordshire are flourishing – in their families, their schools, on the sports field and in creative spaces. But others are not.

Some feel invisible.
Some feel silenced.
Some have been told – by systems or by society – that they don’t belong, or don’t matter.

My theme for the year ahead is simple in its phrasing, but urgent in its intent: Hearing the Young Unheard.

This is about listening – properly listening – to those young people whose voices are too often overlooked, and to the organisations already working hard to support them.

Aims of the year

As High Sheriff, I want to:

Shine a light on early intervention – the work that prevents harm before it happens.
Celebrate and support the people and programmes helping young people thrive.
Bring sectors together – schools, youth organisations, businesses, the justice system, sports leaders and faith communities – to create stronger networks of support.
Amplify the voices of young people and those who work with them – particularly those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds.

Focus areas

🏫 Schools as Early Interveners

Teachers and pastoral staff often see the warning signs first – disengagement, anxiety, frustration. Schools need support and strong partnerships to act early and keep pupils connected, motivated and safe.

👥 Youth Organisations as Safe Spaces

Youth workers build trust and self-belief. Their structured, inclusive environments help young people develop life skills, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

🛐 Faith Groups as Community Anchors

Places of worship can offer spiritual and emotional shelter. Faith leaders often reach young people others can’t – especially those already on the edges.

⚽ Sports Programmes for Connection and Growth

Youth sport isn’t just about physical fitness – it teaches discipline, teamwork, and builds community. It can provide purpose and belonging, especially for boys who might otherwise drift.

Tackling the Root Causes of Crime

Together, we must address the underlying factors that place young people at risk:

Social isolation
Disengagement from education
Exposure to violence, discrimination or neglect
Lack of positive male role models
Easy access to harmful content online

Early intervention – mentoring, life skills, vocational training, trauma-informed support – can change the course of a young person’s life.

Inclusion and Equity

Young people with protected characteristics – whether due to race, disability, gender identity, or sexuality – often face extra challenges. Hearing the Young Unheard means hearing all of them.

This year, I’ll work to:

Promote inclusion in all youth-facing spaces
Support efforts that celebrate diversity and address discrimination
Build bridges across communities so that every young person feels seen, valued and safe

Working Together

This is not a solo effort. Oxfordshire is already full of people doing remarkable work with and for young people.

As High Sheriff, I will:

Visit, listen to and amplify their work
Facilitate connections between sectors
Celebrate best practice
Encourage new partnerships inspired by the evidence in Oxfordshire Uncovered

A Personal Commitment

I live in Cherwell and proudly call Bicester home. This is a voluntary, unpaid role – no public money supports it. I carry it out alongside my day job as CEO of Cats Protection, and I’m proud to be serving this county in a civic capacity.

My hope is that Hearing the Young Unheard will be more than a theme – it will be a movement of people, coming together to make Oxfordshire safer, fairer and more hopeful for the next generation.

Let’s do better – for Jamie, for Katie, and for every young person finding their voice.