Personal assistant for Greater Manchester Police

I work for Greater Manchester Police because I liked the challenge of turning a role, which at first seemed impossible because of communication barriers, into something positive.

I’ve worked at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for 13 years, won three awards and am in my fourth post, as personal assistant to police officers and inspectors. Two of my main responsibilities are taking minutes in meetings and, through my interpreter, communicating on the phone.

I’m profoundly deaf and wear hearing aids. With funding from Access to Work, I have interpreters. I also use captions and a microphone with my laptop for video meetings. I use the transcription facility on Microsoft Teams, which my interpreter edits for me before I send out messages to others who I work with.

During my childhood, most hearing people weren’t confident that I’d achieve much. But, by believing in my abilities and telling myself that I can do it rather than that I can’t, I’ve succeeded.

A lot of barriers are down to communication and negativity from the hearing community, but I was determined to overcome these barriers and educate people.

I’ve completed 12 marathons and my running club, Sandbach Striders, has been a great help to me. I’ve also done seven open water swims.

If I don’t succeed at first, I keep going till I get there.

John Morris

Autumn 2022 Families magazine