Listen Up is a nationwide initiative led by author and Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council, Christina Gabbitas. She has collaborated with various police forces and organisations to conduct engaging writing sessions in schools.
The initiative was inspired by a student from Rosset High in Harrogate, who felt motivated to compose a poem following one of Christina's presentations in partnership with North Yorkshire Police.
Project part funded by North Yorkshire Police with monies seized from criminals, YMCA Lincolnshire, Dean Coady OBE, and Christina Gabbitas
Proceeds from sales will be donated to NSPCC Childline
Christina was accompanied by an esteemed panel of judges, including:
- Anne Rannard, Protect Lead at the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCA)
- Kerrin Wilson QPM
- Jim Gamble QPM, CEO of INEQE
- Fran Naughton, Superintendent and Police Commander North Yorkshire Police
- Steve Croshaw, Community Safety Project Manager
- DS Sheralyn Melton Lancashire Police
- Lorraine Jones Burrell, Pastor and CEO of the Dwayne Simpson Foundation
- Nathan Paul Southern, Investigative Reporter and Security Analyst
- PC Mike Caulfield of Humberside Police
- Dean Coady OBE, Gang and Crime Specialist
- DCI Ian Hughes, Essex Police
- Jenny Griffiths of West Yorkshire Police
- Will Davis, Musician and Graphic Designer
- Alicia Abbott, Animator and Character Artist
- Alfie Bradley, Artist and Creator of the Knife Angel
- PCSO Nick Ellis and PCSO Lisa Howie from Humberside Police
- The North Yorkshire Schools Liaison Team
- Quinton Milise, Author and Spoken Word Artist
- Nathan Parker, Youth Worker and Spoken Word Artist
- Byron Highton, Anti Knife Crime Campaigner
- Laura Bainbridge, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice
- Steve Arnott, Founder of Beats Bus
- Adam and Brendan Storch of INIT Creative
- Ann Marie Christian, International Safeguarding Consultant
- Superintendent Helen Brear from West Yorkshire Police
- Jayden Foster, Police Cadet
- Lou Hardy, Penguin Acting
- Androulla Nicalaou, Child Exploitation Prevention Officer from Avon and Somerset Police
- Cate Moore, Restorative Justice Independent Chair for the Lincolnshire Police Ethics Panel
- The Rabbit Hole Bookshop in Lincolnshire
- David Niven, member of the International Advisory Board at the Global Institute of Social Work
- Sue McTague, Education Specialist South West
- Ivan Humble, Anti Hate Campaigner
- DI Suzanne Gall, County Lines Co-ordinator for West Yorkshire Police
- Mandy Chapman, Retired Met Police Dog Handler
- Donavan Christopher, Rapper and Spoken Word Artist
- Mickey Bradley, Musician with The Undertones
- Christina Gabbitas Author
Together, they contribute to a powerful movement aimed at raising awareness and addressing county lines exploitation and assiciated crime.
