Hearing the Young Unheard
This month, Thame played host to the very first of Oxfordshire’s Big Breakfast Conversations—a new initiative launched by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, John May CVO OBE DL, to explore how communities can better support young people and prevent crime through early intervention.
Held in Thame Town Hall, the meeting brought together educators, local employers, councillors, youth workers, and volunteers for a thoughtful, respectful and action-focused conversation.
The event was hosted by Thame Youth Projects and reflected a shared commitment to listening—not just to each other, but to the voices of young people who too often go unheard.
The Role of the High Sheriff
The office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular role in England and Wales, dating back more than a thousand years. Once responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order on behalf of the Crown, the role is now a ceremonial and voluntary one—supporting the judiciary, emergency services, and community safety initiatives.
Each High Sheriff chooses a theme for their year of office, often reflecting personal passions or pressing social needs. John May, who took up the post in April, has chosen Hearing the Young Unheard as his focus, championing youth organisations, schools, and early intervention as powerful tools in crime prevention and community cohesion.
“A Brilliant Place to Begin”
John, a lifelong advocate for young people, reflected warmly on the Thame launch, “It was brilliant to begin this run of Big Breakfast Conversations in Thame—a town with such a strong record in youth work and community participation. The conversation was grounded, respectful and hopeful. It set the tone perfectly for the months ahead.”
Listening and Acting
At the Thame event, four key themes emerged:
- Mental Health and Social Isolation: Young people are struggling with anxiety, school avoidance, and loneliness—often linked to post-COVID trauma and a lack of safe, welcoming spaces.
- Digital Pressures: Smartphones and social media are creating constant pressure and exposing children to harmful content they’re not always equipped to process.
- School and Youth Service Struggles: Schools are under pressure, and volunteer-led youth groups are stretched. Support, training and funding are limited.
- Workplace Readiness: Employers highlighted the challenges some young people face transitioning into work, especially those who missed out on key experiences during the pandemic.
Despite the seriousness of the issues raised, the tone was hopeful. Each participant left with a pledge—to take practical action, whether that be running workshops, reconnecting schools and employers, or supporting new youth spaces in Thame.