Made in Stoke-on-Trent

The network is bringing together people who were themselves ‘made in Stoke-on-Trent’, to help effect positive change in the city. We have diaspora members who are doing incredibly exciting things around the UK and around the globe and we’re on a mission to persuade them to bring more of that positive activity back to their home city. 

Stoke-on-Trent has so many successful sons and daughters with talents in incredibly varied fields – our aim is to harness more of that energy and creativity and put it to use right here.  

The network is linking people with opportunities to help the city and those who live here – whether that’s through offering time, talent or treasure. The opportunities are limitless and if a network member has something they’d like to offer then Made in Stoke-on-Trent is here to find the best way to use that resource. Even something as simple as a work experience placement could be life-changing for the right person. 

One aim of the Made in Stoke-on-Trent Network is to build relationships with potential philanthropists for the good of the city but this isn’t all about money – there are lots of other ways that people can help, not least by being an ambassador for Stoke-on-Trent. 

Made in Stoke-on-Trent can help Stokies who have left the area to reconnect with their home city in a meaningful way, but obviously individuals and organisations already based in the area are incredibly welcome on that journey too. 

The network isn’t limited to any one particular sector – it is open to anyone with a link to the city and can have a positive impact on any area of life in the city.

We are harnessing the fierce pride and loyalty that people born, raised or somehow connected to the city feel and then using it for the good of the city. It’s moving things on from warm thoughts about Sir Stanley Matthews, Roy Sproson, pikelets and pottery towards encouraging people into positive action to help the city that made them and to help its current and future population.

It's connecting network members with organisations and individuals within the city that match their areas of interest. It is also backing key projects that match recognised areas of need within Stoke-on-Trent. There is an overarching Made in Stoke-on-Trent aim of encouraging aspiration.

Made in Stoke-on-Trent’s first ‘big ticket project is the opportunity to bring First Star to Stoke-on-Trent. Set up by Hollywood film producer Peter Samuelson, First Star works with 14 to 18-year-olds in care or on the edges of care and improves their life chances. Made in Stoke-on-Trent brought Peter Samuelson to the city for a screening of his film Foster Boy with the aim of launching a Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire First Star project.

Teenagers in the care system are often moved between care providers and lack continuity and stability in their life. Through First Star the University, University staff and First Star staff would become that constant in these young people’s lives. First Star would help them with key life skills, support core academic learning, help them to identify what they might be good at in life and serve as a reminder that they can achieve. 

First Star is a tried and tested model that was launched in the United States and now runs in 15 US universities. It has also been adopted by two universities in the South of England.  

Only 6% of looked-after children enter university in the UK and only 4% graduate. The percentage of young people who move on to university study after completing a First Star programme is around 58%.

Please do let us know if you’re visiting the city. Network coordinator Jenny Amphlett and members of the Made in Stoke-on-Trent working group would be delighted to meet you for a cuppa (served in a Stoke-on-Trent mug) or can put together an itinerary of suitable visits and introductions for you. 

To connect with Made in Stoke-on-Trent email MadeinStoke@Staffs.ac.uk or Jennifer.amphlett@staffs.ac.uk, visit @MadeinStokeonT on Twitter, or join the Made in Stoke-on-Trent group on Facebook.