May 7, 2025

Staff and volunteers from third sector organisations across Cumbria joined the Chair of Cumbria Action for Health, Geoff Jolliffe, at his Installation as High Sheriff of Cumbria for 2025/26 at the end of March.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate the ancient role, and the great work High Sheriffs do in Cumbria supporting and promoting our sector. Whilst the frills and trumpet fanfares may feel somewhat old-fashioned, there is real heart and thought behind the role and Geoff’s hopes for his year in tenure.

Geoff has spent many years working as a GP in Barrow and amongst many other current roles is the Chair of Cumbria Action for Health. In his first speech as High Sheriff he identified his commitment to our sector and the work he wants to do raising awareness of, and supporting, the work of third sector organisations delivering support to people who experience neurodiversity.

Geoff said at the event; “Ever Mindful of the needs of the wonderful communities and people of Cumbria that I have come to know these last 44 years, my theme and focus this year will be Neuro diversity, specifically Autism and ADHD. As a medical man, in my latter years I have developed an interest in this and an appreciation of the difficulties the Neuro diverse experience, navigating this world.

I shall try to witness this, look for examples of best practice and hope to bring those that work in this field together to develop a stronger voice and share that best practice. I will do this with the guidance and direction of those very same people and the Organisations that support them.”