Your Heroes is sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, GivEnergy, Woolcool, PREM Management, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, Jane Shepherd PR – and is organised by University of Staffordshire.
Now in its 19th year, the awards campaign is backed by numerous local businesses and organisations including Port Vale FC, Port Vale Foundation, Stoke City FC, Stoke City Community Trust, World of Wedgwood, Ambassador Theatre Group, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, Cross Rhythms City Radio, KMF, and Alton Towers.
The Your Heroes campaign recognises Children of Courage, Future Stars, Charity Champions/Volunteers, Community Groups, NHS Heroes, Inspirations in Education, Carers, Uniformed Heroes, individuals and organisations demonstrating Civic Pride, plus Sporting Icons.
Categories are as follows:
- Child of Courage
- Future Star
- Charity Champion/Volunteer of the Year
- Community Group of the Year
- NHS Hero
- Inspiration in Education Award
- Carer of the Year
- Uniformed Hero
- Civic Pride Award
- Sporting Icon
Nominations are submitted via the Your Heroes Awards website until the closing date on Monday 22 September.
The judging panel then meets to choose the winners ahead of a star-studded, black-tie dinner for more than 250 guests which will take place at the Double Tree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent (formerly the Moat House Hotel, Festival Park) on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Celebrities including Oscar-winning actress Rachel Shenton, stage star Jonathan Wilkes, comedian and TV presenter Nick Hancock, master potter and ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer-Jones, boxer Nathan Heaney, playwright Deb McAndrew and numerous sporting stars and civic dignitaries have again kindly pledged their support for Your Heroes.
Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at University of Staffordshire, said: “University of Staffordshire has been a longtime supporter of the Heroes Awards, and the awards are sponsored by several of the region’s leading businesses. The awards are a celebration of some of the outstanding people living, working and studying in our communities.”
“As a Civic University committed to improving the quality of life of people living within the county and the wider region we hope to engage with the winners and see how we can help them on their personal journey or work with them to bring about continued improvements for our communities.”
Martin Tideswell, Director of Commercial Strategy at University of Staffordshire, will chair the Your Heroes judging panel and host the awards ceremony.
He said: “The Your Heroes Awards campaign is well-established, and the awards dinner is one of the most important events on the Civic calendar because it celebrates the people and organisations that are, quite genuinely, the glue which bind our communities together.
“We are proud to share the stories of these humbling, unassuming individuals and groups – and highlight what a remarkable, friendly and inspiring place we live in.
“Ain’t no party like a Your Heroes party!"