Welcome to the Your Heroes Awards for 2025 – where we highlight the unsung heroes of communities across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Your Heroes is sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, GivEnergy, Woolcool, PREM Management, The Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, Shepherd PR, and organised at The University of Staffordshire in partnership with numerous local organisations and businesses.
The awards also have fantastic support of 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.
Whether it’s a volunteer, a young achiever, a carer, or a community group….the awards acknowledge the everyday acts of kindness, bravery, and dedication that might otherwise go unnoticed. This celebration strengthens community pride and reminds us that the spirit of Staffordshire is defined by the contributions of its people.
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 this website and promoted on social media and through local media until the closing date in September 2025.
The judging panel then meets to choose the winners ahead of a star-studded, black tie dinner for 250+ guests which will take place at the Double Tree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent (formerly the Moat House Hotel, Festival Park).
Celebrities that have attended recently include 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.
Councillor Jane Ashworth OBE, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
“It’s a privilege to be involved in the Your Heroes Awards. Stoke-on-Trent and the wider North Staffordshire area have so many brave and selfless people who put others first. It is only right that we recognise and give our heartfelt thanks to these unsung heroes.”
“Through their selflessness they help to make Stoke-on-Trent the warmest and friendliest of cities. We can all draw inspiration from and take pride in the amazing stories uncovered by the Your Heroes Awards.”
Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of University of Staffordshire, said:
“University of Staffordshire has been a long-time supporter of the Heroes Awards and now organises this celebration, sponsored by a number of the region’s leading businesses and organisations. We shine a light on 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!”