Susie Besant awarded High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Award 2023

One-Eighty founder and Chief Executive, Susie Besant, was honoured to receive the Oxfordshire High Sheriff’s Award 2023, at a ceremony held on 27 March. Mark Beard, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, presented Susie with her award, in recognition of the outstanding contribution she has made to her community, and for going above and beyond to support young people from challenged backgrounds.

Susie co-founded One-Eighty in 2011/2012 after working at the Youth Offending Service. Together with friend and colleague Johnny Latham, she researched the causes of young people disengaging from education, and the triggers that led them to commit their first low-level offence. She also supported young people and their families to find activities they enjoyed and re-establish a love for learning. Out of this work, One-Eighty was born.

Nearly twelve years on, One-Eighty is a thriving charity, empowering children and young people (aged 4-18) and their families to improve their mental health and re-engage with education. Working across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, our support bridges the gap between the young person, education and mental health sectors.

Susie’s hard work and commitment has helped to turn thousands of young lives around, and she is extremely proud of One-Eighty’s achievements.

“It was such a privilege to be invited to the beautiful grounds of Somerville College in order to receive an award that not only acknowledges my commitment, but the hard work, passion, and dedication of my whole team. It is a joy to lead an organisation filled with people who share the same vision and ethos that I have worked hard to nurture, with the young people at the heart of everything we do.

“I have always believed that, even for those who are told there is no hope and feel they are at crisis point, that we should show them their worth, talents and support them to carve out a positive future. One day I hope that these young people would like to be part of working for an organisation like One-Eighty.”