Stoke City Stroke Peer Support and Stroke Wellbeing groups
Craig Lockett was left disabled after three strokes but now he’s working for Stoke City Football Club and making a massive difference to the lives of fellow stroke survivors.
The 51-year-old, from Meir, is a football development and sports coach with Stoke City Foundation, where he set up a stroke peer support and stroke wellbeing groups after talking to The Stroke Association about the need for more support groups in the city.
Craig is able to share his lived experience and lead conversations, games and physical activities for up to 20 stroke survivors at each session.
He has been nominated in the Carer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards and the groups he runs have been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category.
One nominator said: “In 2024 my mum was diagnosed with a stroke though a brain scan. I really didn’t know where to go for support. The Stroke Association told us about Stoke City Foundation’s stroke wellbeing group. We went for a visit, so my mum could see what it was like. She absolutely loved it.
“They not only supported my mum they also support the family and to be very honest I really don’t know how I would have got through all of the stroke recovery with my mum if it wasn’t for this group.
“They honestly deserve this award for all the support they give to stroke recovery patients and the families. I really can’t thank them enough for everything that they have done for my family and the hard work they all put into this group.”
Another nominator said: “Craig is an amazing support to others. He never judges anyone and will always try to help. He gives others the strength to try different things even when they think that they can’t do it.
“The group he runs has given my husband and myself a much-needed purpose and without this group stroke survivors would have very little. Craig praises everyone and he is very passionate about his group. He is a wonderful, caring man.”
A third person said: “Craig does it because he truly believes he can help and gives all the participants belief they can conquer everything in their recovery. The group has gone from strength to strength now running weekly for one hour on a Friday and a two hour session the first Friday of every month.
“The stories of success are impactful. People returning to work and gaining social confidence. It’s truly amazing.”
Craig said: “My first stroke in 2018 left me disabled and I was out of action for five years before I could work again. I got the job at Stoke City and after speaking to the Stroke Association we get up support groups. We have anything from 15 to 20 people at each session but we’re only scratching the surface of the number of people having a stroke in Stoke-on-Trent.
“This is a massive thing for me. I’m a big advocate for making sure people have the best care possible.
“I’ve got to show these people that anything is possible. I’ve got lived experience and they can relate to me.”
He added: “It’s humbling to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. I’m doing this to improve the quality of people’s lives and ensure they stay active because if you’re not active that’s when you start getting depressed.”
Woody’s Back to Basics Community Gym CIC
Every coach and staff member at Woody’s Back To Basics Community Gym CIC in Hanley gives their time free of charge to help others.
Set up 15 years ago by father and son Stuart and Geoff Wood plus family friends Kathy Critchley, the gym welcomes children and adults of all ages aims to support the mental health of members as much as their physical health. It was registered as a CIC in May 2017.
Every penny generated is reinvested directly back into the facility, equipment and members. The gym and its members also work tirelessly to support the communities within which it is based, including a Christmas project where clothing and food are provided for homeless people.
Dad-of-two Stuart, aged 43 and from Birches Head, runs the gym alongside working full-time for JCB.
He credits the hard work of volunteer coaches Jenny Kinsey, Mac McEwan, Chris Day, Wayne Banks and Dan Grundy who all give their time and skills free of charge to work with juniors, including a significant amount of work with people with additional needs.
Woody’s Back To Basics Community Gym CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Justin Pover.
Justin said: “This non-profit grassroots gym has transformed countless lives across Stoke-on-Trent through continuous dedication, inclusivity and volunteer effort. Woody’s operates on a foundation of absolute selflessness.
“The CIC is completely non-profit; every single coach and staff member gives their time entirely free of charge, ensuring that every penny generated is reinvested directly back into the facility, its equipment and its members. This commitment ensures that financial hardship is never a barrier to health, well-being and personal growth for local residents.
“In a sport and fitness environment traditionally perceived as male-dominated, Woody’s has intentionally cultivated a safe, supportive space where women don’t just feel comfortable but genuinely empowered and supported.
“Equally vital is the gym’s commitment to mental health advocacy and male role-modelling. Led by Stu, who candidly shares his own mental health challenges, the gym leads by example. Stu demonstrates to young men and boys that physical strength goes hand-in-hand with empathy, caring and emotional sensitivity, creating an open culture where speaking up about mental health is encouraged.
“Woody’s operates on a strict zero-ego policy, fostering a warm, family atmosphere where everyone is welcomed with open arms. Beyond physical fitness the gym serves as a critical preventative hub giving young people focus, discipline and a safe haven away from street culture and isolation.”
Stuart used to box and would always donate his fee to charity. He has also run marathons in aid of a day care centre.
He said: “I do suffer with my own mental health massively and the gym is one thing that massively keeps me in check. I want to share the message that it’s ok to get upset, it’s ok to cry and it’s ok to feel down.”
Ash Green Primary Academy PTFA
A primary school’s parent, teacher and friends association has brought together the school community, local residents and businesses to raise £70,000 over the past year.
Jodie Cope, the Headteacher of Ash Green Primary Academy, which is part of The Societas Trust, says the group’s work has been transformative for the school and its impact will be enjoyed by generations of pupils.
Jodie has now nominated the PTFA in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “They have demonstrated the very best of what a community group can achieve: bringing people together, creating meaningful change and improving the lives of children, families and the wider community.
“They are a driving force within our school community, strengthening relationships, creating opportunities and building a culture of belonging that reaches far beyond the school gates.”
Attendance at PTFA meetings has trebled over the past year with involvement extending beyond parents to include grandparents, extended family members, former parents and members of the wider community.
The £70,000 raised has been used to transform the children’s outdoor environment including a new playground being installed this summer. The PTFA’s volunteer gardening team, including many grandparents, has revitalised previously unused and tired outdoor spaces.
They have created construction and small-world play areas, restored sheds, built stages, installed picnic benches, repurposed materials sustainably and even rescued and refurbished a donated boat to create an imaginative play opportunity for children.
Jon Lovatt, CEO of The Societas Trust, said: “The playground stands as a visible reminder of the PTFA’s success, but their greatest achievement is the positive difference they make to children’s lives every single day. Their commitment to bringing together families, local businesses and the wider community is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when people work together for children.”
Jodie said: “The difference this has made to children is profound. Playtimes are now richer, more engaging, and filled with opportunities for creativity and connection. Children have developed a stronger sense of ownership, pride and belonging. Many children describe how home family and school family feel like one big family now, which perfectly captures the community spirit the PTFA has created.
The calendar of PTFA events includes barbecues, fairs, firework nights, bingo, quizzes, colour runs, tuck shops and wellbeing activities. 27 events are planned for the year ahead.
The PTFA has nurtured partnerships with organisations including Lyla Connect, Parentkind, EasyFundraising, Asda, Tesco and many local businesses. These collaborations have secured sponsorship, donations, equipment, materials, raffle prizes and financial support. Their ability to bring local organisations together has strengthened community links and demonstrated the positive impact of working collectively.
Jodie added: “As headteacher I cannot express strongly enough the value Ash Green Primary Academy PTFA brings to our school. They take every ambition we have for our children and find a way to turn it into reality. Their dedication is unwavering, their teamwork exceptional and their impact impossible to measure fully.
“They have transformed our school physically, socially and emotionally. They have strengthened community relationships, enriched children’s daily experiences and created a culture where families feel connected, valued and proud to belong.
“Ash Green Primary Academy PTFA is the beating heart of our school community. They have made an extraordinary difference over the past 12 months and are truly deserving of recognition as Community Group of the Year.”
Ash Green Primary Academy has 460 pupils, aged 3 to 11 years, and recently received a glowing Ofsted report.
Jericho – Come As You Are CIC
Originally launched to help homeless people sleeping in shop doorways in Bentilee, Jericho – Come As You Are CIC now takes its services out into the streets of the city centre to support some of Stoke-on-Trent’s most vulnerable people.
The group was started by lead volunteers Louise Davies and Craig Marsh in September 2025 using St Stephen’s Church in Bentilee as their base.
The pair were both already volunteering for the church, including Louise working with addiction and recovery groups.
Louise said: “I remember that I was cutting out bits of paper for a craft activity and we were talking about homeless people sleeping outside shops in Bentilee. Two weeks later we’d got Jericho up and running.”
Originally launched to help homeless people sleeping in shop doorways in Bentilee, Jericho – Come As You Are CIC now takes its services out into the streets of the city centre to support some of Stoke-on-Trent’s most vulnerable people.
The group was started by lead volunteers Louise Davies and Craig Marsh in September 2025 using St Stephen’s Church in Bentilee as their base.
The pair were both already volunteering for the church, including Louise working with addiction and recovery groups.
Louise said: “I remember that I was cutting out bits of paper for a craft activity and we were talking about homeless people sleeping outside shops in Bentilee. Two weeks later we’d got Jericho up and running.”
They now take their services into the city centre every Saturday to reach even more people in need. Louise and Craig are now supported by four other volunteers.
Louise said: “Not everyone we work with is homeless. We help anyone who is struggling. There was one man that I spoke to outside the shops and when I asked him if he’d be coming he said he didn’t think he could because he isn’t homeless. We’re here for whoever needs us.
“Within six months he’d been coming to us and we could see he needed a purpose. He started volunteering with us and loved it. He’s got his own role putting out tables and other tasks and he feels needed.”
Jericho meets people’s immediate needs at it’ drop-in by providing hot food and drinks, food parcels, clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, tents and other essential items. The team understand that meeting basic needs is often the first step towards helping someone rebuild their life.
They take sandwiches, snacks, drinks and essential supplies directly to people sleeping rough in the city centre. Alongside practical help they offer encouragement, friendship and a pathway to further support.
Jericho – Come As You Are CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by a service user.
He said: “Alongside practical support Jericho offers guidance and signposting to services including housing, addiction recovery, mental health support, healthcare and benefits advice. Volunteers take the time to listen, build trust and help people access the support they need.
“Jericho is more than a drop-in centre. It is a place where people are treated with dignity, respect and kindness. Through its dedicated volunteers and unwavering commitment to serving the community, Jericho continues to change lives, making it a truly deserving recipient of the Community Group of the Year Award.”
Louise added: “It’s amazing to be recognised for what we’re doing but we don’t do it for any prize or glory.”
Stoke Sisters Tribe
Stoke Sisters Tribe was set up as a way for Muslim women in Stoke-on-Trent to connect and support one another. Within three years it’s grown to have 50 members across the city.
The group was created by Nayab Rahim, a mum-of-two from Blurton, who was a university lecturer in Pakistan before moving to the UK.
She recognised that women in her community can feel isolated and suffer from depression and aimed to help by finding a way for them to support one another.
Nayab began by reaching out to other women on social media which turned into a WhatsApp group and get togethers.
Although still the organiser and financial backer of many of the group’s activities, Nayab stresses that what she has created is a tribe of women and credits the support of those around her.
She said: “I chose the name Stoke Sisters Tribe because I wanted them to feel part of a tribe and I wanted them to feel safe. In my Muslim community there can be a high rate of depression because some women feel that they don’t have anyone.
“I was strong enough to stand up and to do something in Stoke-on-Trent where women can feel connected and don’t feel lonely anymore. They can share their stresses, whether they’re personal or professional.
“If women leave their family, friends and social circle they can become very lonely. They may also find themselves in a very different culture, which can be a shock.
“After spending time with women that I connected with, I was left feeling joy and I was re-energised for the coming week.”
The group began with Muslim women but is open to women of any religion and background, although Nayab says she is keen to keep religion and politics out of the group’s discussions.
She said: “There is space for any sister. We are not judgmental and we respect one another’s views.”
In-person gatherings include breakfasts at restaurants and Eid celebrations at community centres, where the invite is extended to children and partners too. The group sometimes meets in coffee shops or for walks in the park.
Nayab often covers the cost herself and sometimes everyone attending brings along a dish to share.
She is hoping to start a podcast with information to help women settling into life in the UK and addressing any cultural shocks they may face.
She added: “I’ve got my husband’s biggest support with this. He wants me to feel comfortable and he’s ok for me to do something that keeps me happy and content.”
Stoke Sisters Tribe has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Sara Khan said: “Nayab is the heart behind Stoke Sisters Tribe. She lovingly organises community meetups using her own resources, never taking a single penny from members, guests or any official support, and she manages everything on her own.
“She is truly dedicated to bringing the ladies of Stoke-on-Trent together and creating a warm, safe space where they can share their thoughts, stories and family lives.
“She has arranged so many wonderful gatherings, always with sincerity and a beautiful heart. Nayab really deserves our appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for all that she does.”
Rubeena Ahmad said: “Nayab is the best community group organiser. She is so selfless and dedicated and also such an inspirational person who motivates and encourages community cohesiveness and inclusivity.”
Tunstall Together CIC
Less than a year after it was launched, Tunstall Together CIC is already improving the town and the lives of its residents.
Successes include securing funding, opening an office, bringing volunteers on board and creating a safe and happy space for members of the community to spend time.
Founder Kyle Smallwood explained: “We started in September 2025 with zero pence in the bank. People have trusted in the vision. We moved into an office in January and had to find the first month’s rent. The landlords have taken a chance and believe in us.
“We’re all about action so we’ve been asking what the problems are, what’s on people’s minds and what we can do to really make a difference and put pride back into Tunstall.”
Kyle has secured National Lottery Awards for All funding which means Tunstall Together has a base for the next 18 months.
He has also brought on board 23 active members of all ages and backgrounds who support the group’s projects around Tunstall. Active volunteers include Dot Matthews and Sue Viggars.
The CIC now has a physical location, a website to connect people with support organisations and charities, a social hub and is out and about in the town staging events and improving whatever it can.
Recent projects have included wrapping children’s books and leaving them in the community for families to find.
There will be a day of action on August 26 and heritage talks and walks are being planned.
“I haven’t done it alone,” said Kyle. “I’ve listened to what the community and our members want. It’s easy to moan but this is all about connecting people.
“I’m just bursting with pride to see where we’re taking this and the people who are actively involved.
“One organisation can’t do everything but we’re reaching out to as many other organisations as we can.”
Tunstall Together CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Sarah Jones said: “Kyle set up Tunstall Together CIC to help to make Tunstall the town it used to be. Within its first year he has opened up an office with safe space, a social coffee shop and community hub and work is underway to renovate other areas of Tunstall. He’s worked tirelessly despite health issues to build Tunstall back up.”
Kyle added: “Tunstall has its problems but rather than being negative we’re coming up with positive solutions.”
Women of Justice Arise
Lived experience of arriving in the UK as an asylum seeker with a six-month-old baby led Deborah Jandles to start a charity to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
Women of Justice Arise, based in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre, works with refugees, asylum seekers, the homeless and members of ethnic minority communities.
It runs a culturally relevant food bank, a baby bank for pregnant women and mums, aims to upskill women into the workplace and offers a space for people to connect and for friendships to grow.
Deborah moved to the UK from Zimbabwe and now lives in Hanley. She works alongside two fellow trustees and has a team of around 30 volunteers.
She is also working with Stoke-on-Trent College to offer volunteer opportunities for students.
Deborah said: “I came to the UK as an asylum seeker. I wasn’t allowed to work so I volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau, where I heard about the problems that asylum seekers were facing.
“In particular I found that a lot of mothers were having problems so I set up a support group, which went on to become the charity Women of Justice Arise.
“We find that a lot of people feel depressed because they aren’t able to find a job. We’re trying to empower women. We find out what they’re good at and do whatever we can to upskill them.”
The work of Women of Justice Arise grew during the pandemic when it received grant funding to run a culturally relevant food bank. It’s currently applying for grant funding to continue the work carried out at its base at Old Hall Street, Hanley.
Women of Justice Arise has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Deborah said: “I’m really amazed to have been nominated for a Your Heroes Award. I feel honoured. When you’re doing these things you’re thinking about the impact it’s having on people rather than receiving recognition for the work.”
6 Towns Radio
As a volunteer-run community radio station, 6 Towns Radio has grown from a passionate local project into a respected platform that informs, connects and celebrates communities across Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the wider county.
The station has become a vital platform for charities, community groups, arts organisations and grassroots campaigns, helping them reach new audiences and raise awareness of the important work they do.
Whether promoting local support services, highlighting community projects or sharing stories that matter to local residents, 6 Towns Radio consistently demonstrates its commitment to social impact and community wellbeing.
The station provides opportunities for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to develop valuable skills in broadcasting, media production, marketing, interviewing, event management and content creation. For many it can be a first step into employment, further education or a new career path. For others, it offers a chance to build confidence, make connections and become part of a supportive community.
Beyond the studio, 6 Towns Radio is deeply embedded within the communities it serves. Its volunteer team can regularly be found at events, festivals, charity fundraisers, community celebrations and cultural activities.
Through live broadcasts, interviews and coverage, the station shines a spotlight on local people, organisations and initiatives that might otherwise go unheard.
The organisation invests heavily in the next generation through workshops, training sessions and hands on experiences that introduce young people to broadcasting and media careers.
These opportunities provide practical skills, inspire ambition and help young people see pathways into industries that may otherwise feel inaccessible.
A particular strength of the station is its support for grassroots music and emerging talent. Through dedicated programming, live sessions, event partnerships and opportunities for local artists to perform and be interviewed, 6 Towns Radio has played a significant role in nurturing Staffordshire’s creative sector.
Many local musicians have received their first radio airplay or public exposure through the station, helping to build confidence, audiences and opportunities.
6 Towns Radio has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Charl Pearce, BID Manager at Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District.
She said: “6 Towns Radio is a truly community led organisation that embodies the spirit of Staffordshire. At the heart of 6 Towns Radio is its commitment to people. The station’s welcoming and inclusive approach ensures that anyone with an interest and enthusiasm can get involved, learn new skills and make a meaningful contribution.
“What makes 6 Towns Radio particularly deserving of recognition is that all of this is achieved through the dedication of volunteers who give their time to strengthen their communities. The station creates opportunities, develops skills, supports wellbeing, celebrates local culture and amplifies voices that deserve to be heard.
“Through its commitment to volunteering, education, inclusion and community engagement, 6 Towns Radio continues to make a lasting and measurable difference to people’s lives across Staffordshire, demonstrating exactly what it means to be a business at the heart of its community.”
Stoke-on-Trent College’s Youth Social Action Team
From creating a community garden to fundraising, members of Stoke-on-Trent College’s Youth Social Action Team represent exactly what it means to be an active part of the local community.
Their efforts to make a difference in Stoke-on-Trent have seen them take part in a variety of community-led activities.
Throughout the last academic year learners in the Youth Social Action Team have been raising money, raising awareness and offering support where it’s needed most.
An ongoing Healing Hearts project with Middleport Matters has made a big difference to Middleport and brought together learners from across Stoke-on-Trent College.
This saw learners placed throughout Middleport, transforming a local green space into a wellness garden and helping to make Middleport a safer and more welcoming place.
They have worked through all weathers to pick up litter, renovate structures, repaint features, tidy up spaces, pot plants and much more to make the garden a nicer place to be.
Along the way members of the Youth Social Action Team have developed their own confidence, built teamworking skills and worked on their personal mental health.
Alongside their work in Middleport, team members have undertaken a series of charitable endeavours, raising money and awareness for great causes.
In February they took part in the Big Sleep Out, staying overnight in the concourse at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium raising more than £2,800 for the Macari Foundation.
Their focus on promoting positive mental health saw them bring therapy dogs to the college to help students destress.
They have raised money for Young Minds and have worked closely with local schools on projects.
Kaz Salt, Community Support Team Leader at Middleport Matters, said: “The six month project has made an absolutely incredible difference here at Middleport Community Garden. The project has been really important.
“It has brought together students from the colleg, and the local community. It has had a real impact on local residents and the students have been incredible. Their enthusiasm, passion, drive and determination, has been inspiring. I hope we get the opportunity to work with them again next year.”
Stoke-on-Trent College’s Youth Social Action Team has been nominated in the Community Group of the year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
From Longton and Proud CIC
What began as a desire to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a volunteer-led organisation that continues to make a real difference to people across Longton every day.
When families were struggling, neighbours helped neighbours. Volunteers came together to provide support, share resources and ensure vulnerable residents did not feel alone. While many of those emergency efforts ended when the pandemic passed, the spirit behind them remained.
That spirit became From Longton and Proud CIC. Officially incorporated in March 2024, the organisation continues to operate without formal funding and is powered entirely by volunteers, donations and community support. Much of its activity is centred around Longton Exchange Shopping Centre.
At the heart of the organisation is The Little Longton Book Exchange, a welcoming community space where books are shared, friendships are formed and conversations begin.
For many visitors it is not simply a place to collect a book; it is somewhere they feel welcome, valued and connected.
The CIC also supports families through The Little Longton Uniform Exchange, which provides free school uniform to local families, provides Winter Warmers support during colder months, hosts weekly coffee mornings, community jigsaw tables and volunteer training opportunities and helps create spaces where people can come together, build confidence and tackle loneliness.
The organisation has also supported wider community projects including funding activities for Staffordshire Lobby Week and providing outdoor games used during Longton Exchange’s Fun Fridays, helping ensure local families can access free activities and experiences.
From Longton and Proud CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Roz Ryan.
She said: “Some organisations are created through funding programmes, business plans and formal strategies. From Longton and Proud CIC was created through kindness. Every project is delivered because local people care deeply about their town and the people who live within it.
“What makes From Longton and Proud CIC truly remarkable is not the size of its budget or the scale of its organisation. It is the fact that it exists because people care.
“Every book donated, every volunteer hour given and every conversation shared reflects a community looking after its own. In a world where many people feel disconnected, From Longton and Proud CIC continues to prove that small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.
“Through compassion, dedication and an unwavering belief in community, it has helped create a stronger, more connected and more hopeful Longton. That is why From Longton and Proud CIC deserves recognition as a true community hero.”
Trent Rowing Club
Trent Rowing Club has been part of the fabric of Burton-upon-Trent for more than 160 years but in the last six month, its small volunteer committee has gone above and beyond to secure the future of one of the town’s oldest sporting institutions.
With no previous large-scale fundraising experience, no major commercial backing and no paid staff, this passionate group of 10 volunteers achieved something extraordinary through sheer determination, creativity and community spirit.
For a volunteer-run club with around 30 active members, the scale of the achievement has been remarkable.
Their Ducks in a Row crowdfunding campaign captured the imagination of the entire town. What began as a hopeful fundraising idea to raise enough funding for a new boat shed, became one of Burton’s feel-good community events of the year, with more than 200 people attending the club’s first-ever duck race and 280 yellow and blue ducks racing down the River Trent. Throughout the event, the club’s junior rowers proudly demonstrated their skills on the water, showcasing the opportunities the club creates for young people in Burton.
The committee also brought together 21 local businesses to sponsor giant corporate ducks (firms such as Cosy Direct, Smith Partnership, Timms Solicitors and others) alongside smaller ducks sponsored by local individuals and families
The campaign attracted support from the Mayor of East Staffordshire, MP Jacob Collier and Olympic bronze medallist and heavyweight boxer Frazer Clarke and featured on ITV Central News.
The committee unlocked £15,000 Sport England match funding and raised £32,130 in four months towards the new boat shed and future development of the club.
Despite the success of the campaign rising construction costs mean further fundraising is still needed while the committee continues balancing club operations, coaching recruitment and supporting members at local competitions.
Many race attendees had never visited Trent Rowing Club before, introducing new audiences to the sport and helping break down perceptions that rowing is inaccessible or exclusive.
The campaign contributed to a 100% year-on-year increase in website visits and page views, while the dedicated duck race page became one of the club’s most visited and highly engaged areas of the website. Learn to Row enquiries increased by 350% following the campaign.
Alongside fundraising, the committee has continued supporting a thriving junior programme which is now producing regional and national success. Trent juniors have represented the East Midlands at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, achieved medal success at national competitions and helped establish Trent as one of the UK’s top junior rowing clubs. For many young people, the club provides far more than sporting opportunity. It offers confidence, discipline, teamwork and a supportive community environment.
Trent Rowing Club has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Rachel Hayward.
She said: “The committee’s ultimate aim is to make rowing more accessible and affordable for people of all ages and backgrounds, creating opportunities for juniors, beginners and families while preserving an important part of Burton’s sporting heritage for future generations.
“What Trent Rowing Club’s committee achieved was about far more than raising money. They brought an entire community together to protect and grow one of Burton’s oldest sporting institutions, proving exactly what passionate volunteers can achieve when local people rally behind a shared cause.”
James Atkin, Chairman of Trent Rowing Club, said: “This has probably been the biggest year we have had for fundraising. We’re a small, volunteer-led club with busy lives outside of rowing so making the time is quite difficult. Getting recognition from outside the group is a nice feeling.”
Walk Talk Action CIC
People sometimes tell Teri Bryce that they wouldn’t still be here if they hadn’t received the support of Walk Talk Action CIC, an organisation she founded.
A former Army combat medic, Teri set up Walk Talk Action to share the coping strategies she used to work through her own problems.
The mum-of-three, from Meir Heath, gave up her job as an ambulance driver in 2019 to work full-time on Walk Talk Action. She had found that being outdoors helped with her own anxiety, trauma and postnatal depression and knew that other people could benefit too.
The group, based at Fenpark, has helped all sorts of people with all sorts of problems including people with depression, postnatal depression, anxiety, midlife crisis, PTSD, isolation and loneliness. She supports all members of the community including veterans.
She gets people outdoors to walk, talk and learn coping techniques to work through their problems one step at a time.
Teri secured a significant National Lottery grant for the group, was gifted a plot of land by the owners of Fenpark Fields and secured the donation of a portable cabin by Churnet Valley Railway to use as a retreat.
Walk Talk Action CIC has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards and Teri has been nominated both in the Civic Pride category and as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year.
One nominator said: “I would like to nominate Teri in recognition of the life-changing impact she has on people throughout our community.
“Teri dedicates an incredible amount of her time to helping people overcome challenges, improve their wellbeing and take positive steps towards a better future. Through her 10 Step Programme she provides support, encouragement and practical guidance to people who are often struggling with difficult circumstances and looking for hope.
“What makes Teri truly special is her unwavering commitment to helping others. She regularly goes above and beyond what would ever be expected of a volunteer, often working around the clock to find solutions and provide support to those who need it most. No matter how busy she is she always makes time to listen, offer advice and help people find a way forward.
“Many have said that Teri has completely transformed their lives, helping them regain confidence, improve their mental wellbeing and believe in themselves again. Some have even stated that without the support, compassion and guidance she provided during their darkest times, they would not be here today.
“Teri never seeks recognition for what she does. She simply wants to help people build happier, healthier and more positive lives. Her passion, dedication and selflessness have had a profound impact on countless individuals and families, creating lasting change within the community.
“For her tireless commitment, exceptional kindness and the genuine difference she makes to so many lives, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of being recognised.”
Walk Talk Action’s National Lottery funding comes to an end on December 8. Teri has already secured some Coalfields Regeneration Trust funding and is working on other funding sources to ensure the services can continue.
She said: “I live and breathe Walk Talk Action CIC. It’s my life. It’s really nice that people would take the time to make a Your Heroes Awards nomination. It’s been a few years of working hard and getting things done.
“I’m big on thanking people for helping us, no matter what that help is and how small it may seem. It’s just overwhelming to receive this sort of thank you as it’s supposed to be me doing the thanking.”
Teri added: “Walk Talk Action has helped me so much and has really helped my own mental health. We get told that we’re making a big difference to other people’s lives just because we’ve taken the time to sit down and listen to them.
“I started this because my own life has been so confusing. By working through the good and the bad in all the chapters of my life it’s helped me to focus on the good and the productive rather than dwelling on the bad.”
U7 Collective
The U7 Collective has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards in recognition of its work supporting the communities within which it’s based.
Located at U7 Arts and Cultural Centre, also known as Urban Arts Stoke, it makes a tangible difference to people of varied ages and needs.
Over the last 12 months it has facilitated arts and educational opportunities for 3,220 people and has delivered 1,889 meals.
The inclusive community and creative hub in the Sydney Works building in Sutherland Road, Longton hosts a rolling programme of arts exhibitions.
It is also officially a warm and welcome space and advice centre. During the heatwave it led on a cool spaces programme and gave out free water.
The U7 Collective has been nominated by volunteer Natalie Campbell.
She said: “They work tirelessly for artists on the spectrum who suffer from socially limiting issues, providing them with a place they can exhibit and display their work in a friendly non-judgemental environment.
“We support the communities of Longton and Stoke-on-Trent by proving accessible arts and foods to support all faiths and dietary requirements. We also offer grief drop-in and stay and play sessions.
“The U7 Arts and Cultural Centre, also known as Urban Arts Stoke, features an interactive gallery space, a recording studio and a budget-friendly café.”
Picture by R00
Knot Events CIC
Just three years after it was launched by a group of Staffordshire businesswomen, Knot Events CIC has raised more than £200,000 for charities and is on track to raise more than £100,000 at its next large-scale event in November.
Three sports days for businesses, organised by the Knot Events team and staged at University of Staffordshire, have raised more than £30,000 for 10 different charities.
The first Strictly Knot Dancing event, staged at the King’s Hall last November, raised £150,000 for the Dougie Mac, the largest amount ever raised for the hospice through a single event.
Strictly Knot Dancing 2026 is already on track to raise another £100,000 with aspirations to reach last year’s total.
The Knot Events team includes Jenny Johnston from KMF, Hannah Ault DL from Valentine Clay, Josie Morris MBE DL from Woolcool, Fiona Hawkins from Plinkfizz, Sarah Mellor from Beswicks Legal, Tina Holdcroft from Holdcroft Heating, Julie Mirowski from Rydale Roofing, Andrea Heath on behalf of DJH and business strategist Katie Beardmore.
Jenny Johnston said: “The idea for Knot Events came to us after the first University of Staffordshire Business Awards. A few of us were talking afterwards about the need for fundraising events driven by women.
“We started talking about what we could do that’s different to what the men do. We came up with the idea and made it happen.”
David Webster, Chief Executive of the Dougie Mac Hospice, said: “Strictly Knot Dancing has become one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar. Last year’s incredible fundraising total has already helped us continue providing specialist care and support to local people and their families when they need us most. We simply couldn’t achieve this without the dedication of every contestant, sponsor, volunteer and supporter involved.
“I’m delighted to be returning to the judging panel this year and I’m really looking forward to watching our new contestants. There will no doubt be plenty of laughs, a few nerves and some fantastic performances along the way. I wish every contestant the very best of luck… and may the best dancer win!”
The Knot Events Team has been nominated in the Community Group, Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year and Civic Pride categories of the Your Heroes Awards.
Headspace FC CIC
What began as a kickabout for a few friends has become a community group that uses football to support people with their physical and mental health.
Primary school teacher Kenny Bartonshaw, from Blurton, set up Headspace FC with his brother, Cliff Barton, and friend Zac Ball because they wanted to start playing football again themselves.
In June 2025 they turned the group into a community interest company. In the first 12 months they attracted more than 290 members, delivered 157 sessions, filled more than 4,000 participation spaces and raised more than £6,800 to support mental health organisations.
By October 2026 activity has expanded to more than 1,000 followers across social media and six football sessions per week including dedicated football sessions for women as well as men’s and mixed sessions.
Kenny, aged 40, who teaches at Kingsland Academy in Bucknall, said: “The real impact is found in the lives Headspace FC has changed. Members describe how the group helped them through anxiety, depression, loneliness and periods of crisis.
“Some have rebuilt confidence after years away from football, others have developed friendships after moving to the area, while one member credits Headspace FC CIC with helping turn his life around after a suicide attempt by giving him the confidence to seek help and reconnect with others.
“Time and again members speak about the sense of belonging, the support they receive both on and off the pitch and knowing there is always someone there to check in, listen or simply share a laugh.”
Kenny has been playing football since the age of six years and was a coach for 11 years.
He says he and his brother were keen to start playing again as they knew the positive impact it could have on their own mental health, particularly at times of grief after losing their mum at a young age and also their cousin.
Kenny, Cliff and Zac now have a team of volunteers who help them to run sessions. They also work with groups including Man Time, North Staffs Mind, Andy’s Man Club and other community organisations to raise awareness, challenge stigma and ensure people know where to find help when they need it.
They create opportunities beyond football including family events, social evenings and charity matches. A recent charity match at the Bet365 Stadium raised £4,682 for local mental health causes while creating unforgettable memories for participants and supporters alike.
Headspace FC CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
One nominator said: “As someone who has experienced my own battles with mental health, I know how difficult it can be to open up. There is still a stigma around men talking about how they feel and many suffer in silence because they fear being judged. Headspace Football breaks down those barriers. It creates an environment where conversations happen naturally, support is always available and nobody is made to feel ashamed for speaking honestly about what they are going through.”
Another nominator said: “I stopped playing football at 17 after a serious injury and spent years unable to find an environment where I felt comfortable returning to the game. Headspace gave me that – not just the football, but a regular reason to switch off, get out, and connect with other people during a stressful period of my own life. That story is far from unique within the group.”
A third nominator said: “Being part of Headspace FC has had a significant impact on my wellbeing. It has helped me reconnect with exercise, improved my mood and rebuilt confidence that I thought I had lost.
“It has given me a positive outlet from work and introduced me to a community of people who genuinely look out for one another. The weekly games matter, but so do the smaller things like the WhatsApp conversations, the jokes, the encouragement and people checking in when someone is struggling. These things can appear insignificant from the outside but they can make an enormous difference to someone who feels isolated or lacks confidence.”
Kenny added: “It’s not just improving lives through football. It’s building a stronger, kinder and more connected community where nobody has to face life’s challenges alone.”