Meet the Directors

Formed in 2014, Utopia was established by 3 directors who had a vision for changing the way support was accessed locally.  Our mission to provide Accessible, Approachable and Aspirational interventions is grounded by a commitment to ensure that all of our services are of the highest quality and are driven by the people accessing them.

Chris Black (BA Hons, PGCE, QTS)

Managing Director

Chris is a highly experienced Teacher with over 18 years experience in education. He is an advocate for educational equality and has worked in both mainstream and SEND schools with a wide spectrum of young people.

He has a proven track record in Leadership and Management and developing services that support young people and families.

 

 

Danny Cooke (BA Hons)

Operations Director 

Danny is a Qualified Youth and Community worker with a Post Graduate Certificate in Attachment, Trauma and Mental health who has been working with young people in alternative settings for the past 15 years. Danny manages the day to day planning and implementation of all Utopia’s services and is an experienced Safeguarding lead with a wealth of knowledge in supporting young people and their families.

Danny has spent time working in SEND schools and has been involved in delivering in-house and external behaviour management training to both professionals and parents. Danny has also worked delivering therapeutic interventions to young people with a variety of mental health needs.

Philip Murray (BA Hons)

Director of Community Strategy

Phil is a BA Hons Playwork graduate who has worked with children and young people across a variety of settings over the past 18 years. Experience within mainstream & SEMH education and community projects has enabled Phil to gain an understanding in effective interventions for some of the most disengaged and vulnerable young people and families locally. Working to improve outcomes across education, mental health and in the community through creating delivering and evaluating outstanding projects.  

Phil also volunteers as a trustee of a small youth charity and is a disability football coach supporting the community across merseyside.

Get in touch

If you require any further information on the services we offer, please contact us using the details below:

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Where We Are

40 Thorsway, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH42 1NW