Blackburn Author recognised nationally

Blackburn born author Christina Gabbitas has gained national recognition for her work on the serious issues of county lines exploitation and related knife crime.

Last year Christina launched a national initiative aimed at encouraging young people aged 12 to 21 to express their understanding and experiences regarding these topics.

The initiative was well-received by the young people and from victims of exploitation and the book Listen Up! was produced.
It has now been recognised as a Finalist in the People’s Book Prize.

Christina said: 

“After initially being targeted and sent abusive messages about the initiative, I decided not to be deterred and carried on after speaking with various ranks of policing, victims and youth workers. This book of poems and lyrics recognises the work of young people and sends out a positive message of giving young people a voice.”

The book includes Blackburn with Darwen Council Digital and Marketing Assistant, Brayden Hartley who was chosen as one of the forty young people chosen to feature in the book.

Brayden said:

“I’m incredibly proud to have my poem featured in such a powerful book ’Listen Up!’ created by Christina Gabbitas, raising awareness of serious issues affecting young people, including county lines. I wrote my poem to give a voice to those who feel trapped and unheard, and to help others understand the dangers and impact of exploitation.  I hope it encourages more young people to speak out and get involved in creative ways to make a difference.”

Christina has collaborated with various police forces across the country, including Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Humberside, West Yorkshire, and Newcastle to deliver crucial sessions into primary and secondary schools about these issues with her commissioned stories No More Knives or County Lines and Trapped in County Lines.

Councillor Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Education said:

“Christina works tirelessly to raise aspirations for young people in literature, and I am delighted at this nomination for her work focusing on key issues that impact negatively on the health and wellbeing of children and young people. County lines and associated knife crime creeps into the lives of innocent people and raising awareness of this through the anthology has the added benefit of engaging young people in the skill of writing and the joys of reading too. Brayden has the honour of seeing his work highlighting how insidious county lines can be in the anthology and I know all of us at BwD will be incredibly proud of him.”

 

To vote for the book please click on the link: https://peoplesbookprize.com/2025-books/listen-up/

Proceeds from any sales of the book will be donated directly to Childline: https://www.justgiving.com/page/listenup4childline