Inspiration in Education nomination – Graham Phillips and Catherine Morris

Inspiration in Education nomination – Graham Phillips and Catherine Morris

After decades serving as a policeman and as a teacher, Graham Phillips and Catherine Morris are now working for a Stoke-on-Trent charity.

Voice of Hope, based at the Bridge Centre in Birches Head, raises awareness of modern slavery, human trafficking and county lines exploitation and also dedicates itself to eradicating and preventing other social atrocities and injustices such as child exploitation.

The charity provides specialist training and support services including tailored awareness training for professionals, targeted sessions for young people, collaboration and prevention work with schools, outreach support for the homeless and collaborative efforts with police and support services to assist potential victims.

Whilst both are involved in training and educating adults, it is within schools where Graham and Catherine are often to be found, talking to youngsters in primary and secondary education.

Their blend of educational expertise and real-world safeguarding insight enables them to deliver powerful learning that is both age-appropriate and deeply impactful. Over the past 12 months more than 1,700 children and young people across Stoke-on-Trent have taken part in their specialist sessions.

Graham and Catherine deliver training and learning not only focusing on modern slavery, human trafficking, and county lines exploitation, but also the likes of healthy relationships, drugs, safeguarding, grooming and child exploitation too. They are tireless advocates for child protection, always offering guidance and support to educators, parents, children and professionals.

Graham said: “We go into schools and carry out work ranging from large groups to one-to-one sessions. There’s becoming more and more call for what we do, but it’s great to be in a position where we can build relationships and make a difference getting vitally important messages across.”

Catherine added: “Our workshops use real-life case studies and interactive learning to create a safe space for honest conversations, enabling disclosures and children to really think and supporting early intervention.

“Me and Graham have worked together for nearly a year now, helping youngsters to stay safe and recognise danger signs. I’ve always had a passion about keeping youngsters safe and after leaving teaching this seemed such a great way to help to make a difference.

“I think what works really well is that we are really passionate, and Graham in particular has real-life experience of what we are talking about.”

Graham Phillips and Catherine Morris have been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.