UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 26 JULY 2023
Dead or in prison: These were the two outcomes facing a teenage Clair Graham, whose remarkable life story and accomplishments have earned her the Alumna of the Year Award from Birmingham City University (BCU).
Expelled from school at just 14 years of age, Clair had no qualifications and a criminal record when she finally battled her way through secondary education. Her future was extremely bleak, but she has since devoted more than two decades of her life to helping children and young adults in some of the most deprived areas of the West Midlands.
“I do not want others to experience what I did,” said Graham, now Head of Service for Contextual Safeguarding at Birmingham Children’s Trust. “I will continue to fight and advocate for the rights of children. And if one child succeeds, I will celebrate that achievement.”
Graham’s tale is an inspirational one – and she wants it to continue to give hope to others.
Looking back, what would she tell her 14-year-old self?
“Things are going to get better,” she said. “At the time, I could not see how anything would ever change. I thought, I would either be in prison or dead. I felt like it was me against the world and I had nothing to lose!”
Graham credits her family, former college teachers, work colleagues and BCU for helping her to turn her life around.
“Research states that the outcomes are poor for children who have had adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, been in the care system, been permanently excluded from school, caught up in criminal and offending behaviour, been in gangs, or lived in deprivation,” she said.
“However, I reflect on my journey and know that this does not have to be the outcome. I thank all the allies, the people who motivated, inspired, empowered and fought for me during my academic journey and who continue to support me as I continue to lift others.”
She is particularly thankful to receive the Alumna of the Year Award from BCU.
“I am truly humbled. I honestly do not have words,” said Graham, who gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Social Work from BCU. “It is humbling to me that just by talking about my story that I have been able to inspire and motivate others.
“BCU is not just an academic building, it is a building filled with people who give hope. It is a place where you can really be who you want to be.
“The diversity, genuine compassion and authenticity that the teaching staff have is what makes BCU so unique. BCU wants you to succeed and will support, empower, motivate and do whatever it takes to ensure you achieve.”
BCU offers a range of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in social work.
For more information, visit the School of Education and Social Work on the BCU website.