Students debate community safety issues with Clwyd High Sheriff
Karen Farrell-Thornley visited Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl campus to meet learners preparing for careers in Public Services
Clwyd High Sheriff Karen Farrell-Thornley visited the Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl campus to discuss community safety with Public Services students.
The High Sheriff spoke with learners studying Level 2 Preparing for Public Services and Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services, offering valuable insights from her own journey.
Reflecting on her experiences of growing up on a council estate, Karen shared how her community involvement and fundraising work led her into her present role.
Historically, High Sheriffs represented the Monarch in matters of law and order. Today, however, the role has evolved to emphasise the promotion of voluntary work, focusing on areas such as crime reduction and fostering social cohesion.
The students spoke to the High Sheriff about their volunteer work through various avenues such as scouting, charities, army cadets and police cadets.
They also presented findings from research conducted as part of their course, discussing innovative ways to improve community safety. Their work included initiatives such as road safety education in primary schools.
A Q&A session sparked a discussion in which the High Sheriff emphasised the significance of the students’ community work, highlighting a reduction in crime in Rhyl over the past year.
Learners also spoke about their winning entry into the Op Bang Challenge, a North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service competition aimed at highlighting community safety issues during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. Students won £500 towards a trip after making a TikTok video raising awareness of the dangers of fireworks.
While at the Rhyl campus, the High Sheriff met with Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo; Sam McIlvogue, Assistant Principal; Amy Thomson, Programme Area Manager of Sport and Public Services; and Cara Baker, lecturer in Public Services.
High Sheriff Karen Farrell-Thornley said: “I was delighted to meet the students and staff at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl campus.
“The learners gave very engaging presentations, and it was gratifying to see how immersed they already are in community issues through their college work, volunteering and other pursuits.
“Everyone was eager to learn more about the role of the High Sheriff, and I enjoyed explaining the responsibilities and engaging in interesting discussions with young people who are genuinely invested in their communities.”
Assistant Principal Sam McIlvogue said: “We are very grateful to the High Sheriff, Karen Farrell-Thornley, for her visit to Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl campus. She gave a fascinating insight into her role and the importance of learners contributing to their communities via volunteering and cadet schemes.”
Paul Flanagan, Principal, said: “At Coleg Llandrillo, we are committed to equipping our students with the skills necessary to thrive in the modern world. A crucial aspect of this is instilling values and behaviours that enhance the safety and well-being of the communities we serve.
“Our Public Services and Uniformed Protective Services students are already making a significant impact, and we take pride in their ongoing contributions.”
Do you want to work in the uniformed protective/public services? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s courses are designed to prepare you for employment in the Armed Forces, Police, Fire Service, Prison Service and other community and emergency service-related organisations. Find out more here