Tim Haigh Speaker | PHSCE & Lifestyle & Assemblies and Celebrations Events & Drugs/Alcohol & Mental Health & Humanities & Crime

Tim Haigh

A remarkable true story of transformation, that many would say is impossible.

Tim’s childhood was one dominated by the negative forces of neglect, poverty, abuse and violence; turning a once happy boy into an introverted and troubled youngster. At the age of 10, Tim began stealing, leading to his ﬁrst introduction with the police.

Question: Can a leopard change its spots?

Tim now shares his stories with many – in schools, prisons and beyond. He is a ‘Lived Experience’ Speaker with the Leeds United Foundation and wants to impact young lives in a positive way, hoping his story can impact others.

In the last year, He has spoken directly to over 6,100 young adults in high schools across the Yorkshire region and further aﬁeld. His main focuses have been hosting ‘Prevention & Intervention’ workshops for schools - focusing on the consequences of drug use/addiction, gang afﬁliation and knife crime. He also specialises in workshops around a British law called ‘Joint Enterprise’ - which many or most of our young adults are not aware of – highlighting the devastating and catastrophic consequences it can bring, simply for being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people. To help him shed light on this matter, he has the backing from prisons he works in to use real life stories (appropriately disguised) in schools that he partners with, backed up by photographic evidence, to show the stark reality of prison life and the long-term consequences of thoughtless actions.

What qualiﬁes Tim to speak about these things?

At just 10 years of age, Tim had experienced many adverse childhood experiences – neglect, poverty and abuse dominated his life. He began stealing and was in trouble with the police at an early age. Despite this, he was described at school a “bright student with academic potential.” However, Tim ended up involved with a gang and after several ﬁxed-term exclusions from school, he was permanently excluded; leaving school with no qualiﬁcations or opportunities. As a result, he turned to crime – and after many convictions, on his 17th birthday – he was sentenced to a total of 9 years and 9 months for gang related crimes. His time in prison introduced him to hard drugs and extreme violence and upon his release he returned to the gangs. The next 8 years were ﬁlled with violence and criminality, partying and drug-taking – culminating in a heroin addiction that almost cost him his life on more than one occasion.

By the time he was in his early 20s, Tim had fathered two children, yet had little to no input in their lives because of the choices he was making and the life he felt trapped in. He couldn’t see a way out. He had no hope. The destructive power of his choices had transformed an individual who had so much potential and promise into Yorkshire’s most wanted heroin dealer in just ten years. Tim would inject heroin into his veins up to ten times a day; it was his only hope. Daily, he would battle with police, gangs and suicidal thoughts – death seemed the best solution.

26 years ago, Tim’s life was transformed. After hitting rock bottom and narrowly surviving an overdose, Tim decided he wanted to live and fought hard for his freedom. He engaged with rehab and developed new ways of thinking – the most hard-hitting being that he wasn’t a mistake and he could be successful and make a difference.

So, what does Tim’s life look like today? After staying at a rehab facility in South Wales for three and a half years - a year as a resident and the remaining time as a staff member supporting other residents in their recovery journey - he returned to Yorkshire to continue rebuilding his life. He has now been happily married for 20 years, with two children - 16 & 13, and has successfully worked to reconcile the relationships with his two older children - who are now aged 37 & 30. The son that he had fathered when he was in his teens to another teen, had been given up for adoption and Tim didn’t see him for the next 25 years...... but that’s another story...

He is now a certiﬁed house builder, construction business owner and continues to live out dreams he once thought were impossible. He has spoken in schools and prisons, addressed youth groups and school staff over the last 15 years. He discusses and demonstrates that

positive change is a very real possibility, talking through the challenges of change and openly advocating the beneﬁts of education; intending to lay a foundation of hope in adults or young peoples’ minds on which they can build, re-build or change the direction of their lives. He also speaks honestly about the dangers of drugs, gang afﬁliation and knife crime as well as the associated consequences involved. Tim passionately works to tear down the lie and myths surrounding gang afﬁliation, drug/substance use and crime, not wanting to see anyone, especially our young adults making the same destructive choices as he did. He expertly communicates with conﬁdence, appropriate humour and honesty, and uses any or every part of his former and current life story as a warning to others - whilst demonstrating that positive change is possible to those who have started down the path of decline, where Tim once walked.

Tim has the personality, experience and authenticity to speak to small groups or entire year groups. Adults and teenagers, in small settings or on some occasions in an auditorium ﬁlled with a 1000+ people. He has also worked alongside school leaders and some Yorkshire Head Teachers to help drive a change in culture for some disengaged or “at risk” students. Tim has received a ‘British Citizen Award’ in recognition for his exceptional contribution to society. He is the author of the book “The Leopard That Changed It’s Spots” - 12,000 copies have been printed and sold/distributed in schools, prisons, police custody suites, youth organisations, and amongst everyday readers – extending across all ﬁve continents. He has spoken on multiple radio stations, had newspaper articles written about him and shared his life story on a television programme.

So, the answer to the former question - leopards can deﬁnitely change their spots!

Testimonials from Teachers

"Tim is a true inspiration. Watching him present and interact with our young people was just wonderful. He engaged them fully for the entire day weaving important life lessons into his fascinating narrative. The pupils asked question after question, and I doubt they will ever forget what they heard. The immediate impact of his words was tangible. Thank you Tim, not just for the day, but for doing what you do for all young people."

– Francis Wade, Deputy Headteacher, Beckfoot School

"Tim’s life story is truly inspirational. I have consistently used it to help students re engage with education, even though many had previously disengaged for it because of their social exclusion. They appreciate the raw nature of his writing and are quickly captivated by his transformational story. Over the years, Tim has engaged regularly with our students at BBEC and positively impacted them through his message of hope, perseverance, resilience and commitment to changing the direction of his life. He wonderfully demonstrates that it is never too late to take the right path. The challenges he overcame, teach us all that positive change is possible if we are willing to pursue it. Tim’s honesty, authenticity and good humour enrich his writing and cause it to resonate with his readers and listeners. In my experience, all who read or hear Tim’s life changing story take something positive from it. This truly does have the potential to change the life choices of all who read his book or hear him speak."

– Laura Kilgallon, Alternative Provision Manager Bridge Project, Buttershaw School

"I was privileged enough to see Tim speak to students in Years 10 and 11 about his experiences. He was energetic, charismatic but most importantly hard-hitting. As a senior leader I have rarely seen an external speaker who was able to deliver a message in such an engaging manner. Students were eating out of his hand during the sessions and afterwards really considering their own behaviour - how actions have consequences. A powerful life lesson for students!"

– Caroline Chamberlain, Assistant Vice Principal, Upper School, Trinity Academy Doncaster

"Tim has an inspirational message which connects with all young people and in particular those at risk of crime and gang culture. He is a brilliant communicator and has a strong message about the power of choices in a young person’s life. Every year group, from Y7 to the sixth form took something significant from his talks, and I can whole-heartedly recommend him coming to your school."

– Wendy Adeniji, Lead Principle & School Improvement Partner. Trinity Academy Doncaster

Over the years, Tim has engaged regularly with our students at BBEC and positively impacted them through his message of hope, perseverance, resilience and commitment to changing the direction of his life. He wonderfully demonstrates that it is never too late to take the right path.

The challenges he overcame, teach us all that positive change is possible if we are willing to pursue it. Tim’s honesty, authenticity and good humour enrich his writing and cause it to resonate with his readers and listeners. In my experience, all who read or hear Tim’s life changing story take something positive from it. This truly does have the potential to change the life choices of all who read his book or hear him speak."

– Laura Kilgallon, Alternative Provision Manager, Bridge Project, BBEC School, Bradford

"I first met Tim in 2015 at HMP Leeds, whilst hosting a discussion group with prisoners about his life experience and journey from childhood to the present time.

When I heard Tim speak, I found it enthralling and captivating, his gentle, inspiring and motivational demeanour holds the audience and draws them to take note and listen intently. His injection of humour at timely points is infectious and contributes with holding the audience. Tim has written a book entitled ‘The Leopard that changed its spots’ that tells of his trails and tribulations in life that have shaped him to become the person he is today.

Tim is a very positive, kind and empathetic individual that lives the by mantra ‘Hope’. He instils Hope and aspiration to grow, change and become better people, if not for ones own sake, then for family. Family is integral to Tim’s life and has been a key part that has inspired his ‘Hope’.

Tim has worked in a voluntary capacity across the Yorkshire and Humber region, giving talks to offenders in the male, female and youth custodial environments – HMP/YOI Wetherby, HMP Leeds, HMP Wealstun, HMP Humber, HMP Doncaster, HMP Newhall and Askham Grange to name but a few.
Tim is selfless in his time and commitment, when he says he will do something, he does, he is a very reliable and professional individual that I have always found to be honest, display high levels of professional integrity, is a very good communicator and listener. From my first meeting with Tim, I knew that it would be a lifelong experience and one I consider will remain."

– David Tilley,Local Education Manager - Novus Prison Education

"Tim was amazing! I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for suggesting him, he really was brilliant with the children and gave each child a copy of his book."

– Michelle Faulkner, Rotherham Foster Carers Association

"Tim was absolutely brilliant. Thanks so much for putting us in contact with him".

– Jack Pitt Assistant, Headteacher/Head of Sixth Form, King David High School

"Tim's sessions went really well, thank you for accommodating this! We had some great feedback from learners who found the session really engaging so would definitely look at this again in the future."

– Hazel Roe, Student Services Team Leader, Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College

"Tim was great and his talk went down really well, really appreciated his time and patience with our young people and I have recommended him to former colleagues."

– Ryan Butterworth, Mahdlo Youth Zone