Hearing the Young Unheard

In Oxfordshire, many young people face a future shadowed by risks they cannot navigate alone - disengagement, social isolation, and, ultimately, involvement in crime. Too often, these vulnerable youth go unnoticed until their choices narrow, and their paths become limited.

John May CVO OBE DL is High Sheriff of Oxfordshire during 2025-26, and his focus is to help change this trajectory through early intervention. By supporting and connecting those who work directly with young people, we can collectively prevent crime, break cycles of exclusion, and build stronger, safer communities. By uniting efforts across schools, youth organisations, faith groups, youth sports programmes, business leaders, and public and third sector partners, we can amplify the voices of those young people who are too often unheard and empower them to reach their potential.

This commitment centres on supporting the invaluable contributions of schools, youth organisations, faith groups, youth sports programmes, and dedicated individuals across all sectors in crime prevention and early intervention. Together, we can strengthen safe spaces, identify young people at risk, and provide the timely support needed to foster resilience, growth, and positive futures.

The High Sheriff John May Fund will support this work, and is hosted and administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF).

Supporting Young People with Protected Characteristics

Young people with protected characteristics - whether related to race, disability, gender identity, or other factors - often face additional challenges that put them at risk of exclusion. By facilitating connections between schools, youth organisations, faith groups, sports programmes, and partners across all sectors, John hopes to build inclusive, supportive networks that allow these young people to feel seen, valued, and included. Through targeted outreach and collaboration, we can create a culture of belonging and equality for all young people in Oxfordshire.

Building a Legacy of Support

Hearing the Young Unheard is about supporting and empowering those who work directly with young people - drawing on expertise from across all sectors - to create lasting, meaningful change. John's goal is to encourage new collaborations and strengthen the networks dedicated to breaking cycles of exclusion and disengagement. Informed by the insights of OCF's 2023 publication Oxfordshire Uncovered, this approach targets real barriers and enables every young person in Oxfordshire to find opportunities to thrive. Working together, we can ensure that no young voice is overlooked and every young person has the chance to succeed.