Emily, High Sheriff’s Cadet, at the County Scout AGM

At tonight’s Oxfordshire Scouts County AGM, I had the great pleasure of hearing our High Sheriff’s Cadet, Emily, speak about her experiences during her first six months in the role.

In just a couple of minutes, she captured beautifully what the Cadetship has meant to her so far. Emily spoke about joining me at events ranging from award ceremonies and business breakfasts to historic traditions such as the Glove Ceremony at Christ Church and the Declaration at County Hall. Each, she said, was an opportunity to “build bridges across communities, just as Scouts do so well.”

Emily reflected on how the Cadet role is about much more than turning up in a uniform. It is about championing youth voices in spaces where they are not always heard, and creating safe places for dialogue and positive change. She linked this to Scouting’s values of inclusivity, diversity and empowerment – values she said she has been proud to carry into the wider community.

With warmth and humour, Emily paid tribute to the Scouting environment that shaped her, and thanked her fellow Scouts, leaders, and the Shrieval team for their encouragement and support. She ended with a call to action – encouraging other young people to look out for the opportunity to apply for next year’s High Sheriff’s Cadet appointment.

At the halfway point of her year of service, I could not be prouder of the way Emily has embraced the role. She exemplifies what it means to be a Scout and a Cadet – confident, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.