SiLENT is empowering Tom to use his voice and speak up for justice. Like many students, Tom took to the streets of Leeds to demand change regarding the grading of school examinations over the course of the summer. He hadn’t been able to sit his exams and didn’t meet his predicted grades the first time round. Upset and unsure of what to do, he started seeing coverage on the news and social media which gave him a bit of hope. Then when young people started to walk the streets of his hometown, he knew he needed to join them. It reminded him that he was not the only one suffering and change was possible. Their message was heard. After a few stressful phone calls and back to back emails, his grades were more fairly assessed, and he secured his first-place University choice. Tom was thrilled. He now has hope for the future.  

In 2021 Million Minutes is supporting Tom to continue using his voice to enact positive change through the creation of his own podcast series: Project Noise. Tom’s hope is to inspire social action across our local Catholic communities through sharing the stories of inspirational young people.  

Tom is a former recipient of Million Minutes’ Celebrating Young People Awards. Since 2019 Tom has engaged himself in the Alumni network of the awards attending a retreat and online conversations over the course of lockdown. 