Stoke-on-Trent: Claim Your Share of £240k to Unite Our City

A large community campaign started in Stoke-on-Trent. They want to unite all communities, and it is called “One Stoke-on-Trent.” Many local leaders support it, including those from the council and police. The fire service, NHS, schools, and sports teams also participate.

The government is providing £600,000 from a special fund. They will use £240,000 for community grants. These grants support projects promoting unity to bring people together within the city.

Small grants range from £500 to £1,000. Medium grants are between £1,000 and £5,000, while large grants offer between £5,000 and £10,000. People can apply for money to help their local community.

The campaign includes surveys and talks to gather input from residents and businesses. They want to improve the city so everyone feels welcome and like they can succeed here.

Partners will share key messages about Stoke-on-Trent being welcoming, believing in equal opportunity for everyone, and seeing diversity as something positive. Each input matters for the community.

A foundation and VAST, a charity that supports community groups, will manage the grants. VAST helps groups to apply for funding and deliver their projects.

“One Stoke-on-Trent” formed after last August’s unrest, when protests occurred in Hanley. This mirrored other national demonstrations following a tragic crime.

The council leader spoke about safety, stating that everyone deserves to feel safe. Prejudice is not welcome in Stoke-on-Trent, and she wants to understand community challenges while prioritizing difficult conversations. She aims to address misinformation.

She mentioned that the city is celebrating its centenary and that diverse communities contribute much. The city has a unique history, and her goal is to build civic pride so everyone feels like they belong.

A community leader spoke on inclusion and said Stoke-on-Trent should be a safe place where everyone feels valued. This is not a short-term solution but about long-term community strength.

A police superintendent wants visible policing and action on community issues. He stated that policing is only part of the solution and looks forward to working with partners to address community needs together.

The Port Vale chief supports the initiative and their commitment to bringing people together to create a safe and welcoming city. The team ultimately wants to see a thriving community.

The Community Foundation’s head of programs spoke, saying they support local projects, building inclusive and strong communities.