Terrible Titties and Other Bitties
Rachael Jordan and Natasha Moore set up a breast cancer support group together after meeting during their treatment and discovering a need for more post-treatment support.
Terrible Titties and Other Bitties quickly became a registered charity, based in Staffordshire but helping hundreds of women around the UK.
Wellness retreats, days out, monthly meetups, awareness talks, activities, prison visits and providing equipment and chemo boxes to local hospitals are just some of the practical and holistic ways help is offered for women diagnosed with breast cancer. An annual black tie charity ball raised £27,000 last year alone.
Sadly Natasha passed away after being diagnosed with secondary cancer but Rachael has continued with Terrible Titties and Other Bitties, supported by a board of trustees who are all fellow breast cancer survivors.
Rachael, originally from Stoke-on-Trent but now living in Stafford, has been nominated for the Your Heroes Awards by fellow trustee Rachel Millar.
Rachel said: “Under Rachael’s leadership the charity has gone from strength to strength. She lost her partner in crime, Tash, to this dreadful disease and instead of giving up she gathered likeminded women around her and forged forward.
“She is a force to be reckoned with and at the heart of everything she does are the members, her ladies, her terrible titties. On her shoulder is Tash, willing her on to do bigger and better things. Tittie HQ is her house and ever day she is doing something Tittie related, she never stops.
“I was so lucky to have found Rachael and this charity when I was diagnosed in 2021. I have no idea where I would be without Rachael’s friendship and the support of this amazing and inspirational group of women. At the helm is ‘Our Big Tit’ Rachael. She is our hero.”
Mum-of-one Rachael, 55, combines running the charity with working as an operations manager.
She said: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Treatment is a treadmill and once it’s finished you’ve got nothing, your whole world comes crumbling down. I found post-treatment was the time I struggled.
“Breast cancer massively changes you. I’m not the Rachael I was pre-cancer. You’re a different person and look at life differently.
“I met Natasha during treatment, she became my ‘breast’ friend and we started the group together. It keeps the memory of her alive and gives support to women who need it.
“There was a time when I thought I couldn’t keep doing it without her but I can and I did and I still do.”
The group began with five women and is currently supporting around 200 including in-person support to women in the Staffordshire area and online support to women around the UK.
Rachael added: “I’m shocked to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. I’m a giver and I don’t see all the good that people say I do.”
Rachael Jordan has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year and Terrible Titties and Other Bitties has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year.
Mitchell Arts Centre
Nearly 70 years after it opened as a tribute to the designer of the Spitfire, The Mitchell Arts Centre continues to be a hub of the community and to support and entertain thousands of people.
The Stoke-on-Trent city centre venue is home to a theatre auditorium, dance studio and café plus various spaces it offers for corporate hire.
Education and community outreach play a key role. MAC Education was launched in September 2022 and in its first year supported 528 families with accessible arts and committed 1,270 hours to education.
In 2023 the centre partnered with the Hubb Foundation to provide 240 free workshops across the year for children receiving free school meals.
Other key programmes have included the cultural project You Are Here and the creation of a Youth Board.
In 2024 MAC Education is doubling its public workshops in half term and working hard behind the scenes applying for funding to provide more opportunities for the community.
The Mitchell Arts Centre has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards.
Caroline Sherratt, Education Officer for the Mitchell Arts Centre said: “Through the Hubb Foundation collaboration we give children the full musical experience. We give them food, get their costumes, give them full production with rehearsals so that they can experience the theatre to the fullest.”
MAC education also created the Youth Board, a collaboration with St Margeret Ward Catholic Academy, where input from children can positively impact how the arts centre is run.
“It’s really important to have the input from our young people, this means we can better the centre in the future,” Caroline said.
The centre also hosts a bi-weekly screening of films which are audio descripted and captioned, enabling even more people to enjoy the venue.
Caroline added: “I’s amazing that we’ve been nominated for a Your Heroes Award. We want to be bold and ambitious for the community and to champion those who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to have access to the arts. We make it our mission that through us, the centre is accessible for all to enjoy.
“It feels like we are creating magic for the area and that magic makes coming into work so special. The team is a community within itself and we all really want to make a difference.”
Kidsgrove Ski Centre
Ski-Kidsgrove is run by a team of 65 unpaid volunteers ranging from 15 to 93 years old.
The group, also known as North Staffs Ski Club, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and has been branded one of the best indoor ski slopes in the country.
Some volunteers juggle their hours at the ski slope with holding down full-time jobs, some volunteers are retired and young instructors volunteer alongside studying at school or college.
Sarah Eccleston has nominated North Staffs Ski Club in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “North Staffs Ski Club is situated in the heart of Kidsgrove and offers volunteer-led skills lessons, recreational ski opportunities and instructor training for young people across the county.
“From reception to boot room, cafe to inspirational ski instructors, all of these volunteers give up their precious family time to bring what is often seen as an elite middle-class sport to grassroots level for the young people of Staffordshire.
“Many people volunteer every weekend and evenings in the week including under-16s who help to coach young children. It’s a complete inspiration.”
Ann Loton, chair of the group and a member since 2003, said: “It’s really nice to have been nominated for a Your Heroes Award. We don’t do what we do to get nominations for awards, we do it because we all love skiing and being part of the community that we’ve created.
“We like to see people develop, but more importantly we like to see smiles on people’s faces. Some people had not been skiing for more than 20 years but when they come here they say how amazing their experience was when returning to the slope, that’s the reason we do what we do.”
The ski centre offers ski lessons for people aged six years and above. There are two slopes, one for teaching and the other for freestyle. They also organise residential trips overseas.
Every September the centre offers free give-it-a-go sessions to anyone with an interest in skiing.
A Daily Telegraph article in 2002 named the centre as ‘one of the best indoor slopes in the country’.
Ann added: “It’s a big landmark for us this year. In 2014, we were able to purchase land to expand our offer and to create a second slope. This meant we were able to offer more in terms of freestyle.
“We’ve got young instructors who are enthusiastic about coaching, which means when we retire. These young instructors will often be the ones who would likely lead this centre in the future.
“We are where we are because we have people that really care about skiing and they are supporting those who want to get into the sport.”
Period Power and Linda Allbutt
Staffordshire charity Period Power is leading the fight against period poverty with its mission to ensure that every woman and girl should have access to period products.
Set up seven years ago by Linda Allbutt, from Eccleshall, Period Power also aims to take away the stigma around talking about periods.
It supplies basic period products to nearly 200 schools and has worked with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to help it to become the first Period Dignity City Council in England by providing period products in all 180 of the council’s ladies’ and disabled toilets.
The work is done by Linda, a team of fellow trustees and youth volunteers.
Now Period Power has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year and 72-year-old Linda has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards.
Linda said: “I am flattered and humbled. We don’t do it for the recognition. The team I work with are great and they’re all volunteers committed to fighting this injustice. We see ourselves as activists for the cause.”
She said she had initially hoped that Period Power would only be needed for one year but, seven years later, it is needed more than ever.
“We’re all frustrated. We hoped that access for girls and women would get better, but it seems to have gotten worse. We seem to be firefighting all the time.
“Logistically, it’s becoming more difficult, but we always find a way around it.”
Period Power’s work doesn’t stop at providing products. Linda has been vocal in pushing for change on a national level, writing to MPs and advocating for improved working facilities so that women across the country have access to basic period care.
“We’ve seen some progress but the problem is still nationwide and too many girls are without the basics.”
Tom Johnson and The Football Fun Factory
The Football Fun Factory may look like a sports coaching organisation but what founder Tom Johnson is really trying to do is give young people life skills.
The 30-year-old, from Stafford, combines being director and head coach of The Football Fun Factory with working as a high school PE teacher.
He and his team work with children aged 18 months to 12 years at venues across Stafford and Cannock, using the medium football coaching to build soft skills such as working within a team, making friends and resilience.
Both Tom and The Football Fun Factory have received more than 20 Your Heroes Awards nominations with Tom nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer and The Football Fun Factory put forward for Community Group of the Year.
One parent, Kate Henderson, said: “I perhaps needed this outlet more than my son – moving from Birmingham to Stafford, not knowing anyone, with an only child that craved interaction, with a mother that craved the opposite.
“Tom not only taught my son teamwork, listening, dedication, friendship etc but he also taught me, someone who has at least 10 years on him, perspective and valuable interaction skills.
“I cannot promote Tom enough, from his passion, expertise and the things that can’t be taught; patience, empathy and awesomeness. If my son is ever blessed with an ounce of whatever Tom has, well, what a great human my son will become.”
Tom said: “It’s absolutely wonderful and the kind words are worth their weight in gold. What Kate says underpins all of the values that I’m about. I want to make a real difference to both the children and the parents that support them.
“I’ve always been inspired to work with children, right from when I was young myself. To have been given this nomination makes all the work worthwhile. I’m super grateful.”
Tom’s ambition is to take The Football Fun Factory nationwide.
He added: “I’ve always said, life skills over football skills. Football is the medium of the work we do, but really, it’s about getting children developing physically, socially and for them to acknowledge and use the skills which will prove useful when they go into high school and beyond.
“I want to give the children a purpose and a safe place to learn. It’s important for young people to have adult role models and here we can start to begin to build up that trust and confidence.
“We are in the business of forging relationships. That has spilled over to the parents who have become a community within themselves, making friends and feeling very much a part of what we do.”
“I’d like to get us expanded nationwide, so children can access the services we provide without having to travel too far. No child should have to travel to access a service which could make such a difference.”
Laura Bailey and Ulysses Youth
Laura Bailey has been nominated for a Civic Pride Award for her work in empowering young people in some of the most deprived areas of Stoke-on-Trent.
The organisation she founded, Ulysses Youth, has also been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Laura, 39, from Hanley, started Ulysses Youth in 2023 on the back of her MSc in Entrepreneurship at Staffordshire University.
The organisation, based in Bentilee, is designed to raise aspirations amongst young people in the city, guiding them through ambitious and adventurous programs to help them uncover their potential and realise their ambitions. This includes mentoring, consultancy, residentials and collaboration with other charities and organisations.
Laura has more than 15 years of experience in youth work. Her adolescent life came with obstacles and she knew her shared experience would benefit others.
Her career began as a volunteer at a Surestart Children’s Centre where she organised activities for parents and children. She later joined Stoke-on-Trent City Council where she played a role in re-engaging young people with complex needs, helping them find a path back into education through holistic family support and early help action plans.
Laura went on to study at Staffordshire University, where she gained a first-class criminology degree before enrolling onto the MSc Entrepreneurship course. It was when she joined this course when her dreams of a solo venture became a reality.
“I couldn’t have started up Ulysses Youth if it wasn’t for the MSc. It was here I learned the fundamentals of what it took to start up a business, but it was also here where I grew my network. It wasn’t just the studies, it was the people, the network, the tribe,” she said.
“I had years of experience under my belt, but I felt like there were gaps that I could bridge and by setting up Ulysses Youth, I was able to do just that.”
In July the organisation received a growth grant from The Peter Coates Foundation, acknowledging the vital work it is doing for young people in the city.
“This just gives the kids that I work with more opportunities to broaden their horizons and to experience something worthwhile.
“We focus too much on the negatives sometimes. What I’m trying to do at Ulysses is to flip the script, so everything we do as an organisation is positive.”
Laura and Ulysses Youth were nominated for the Your Heroes Awards b y one of Laura’s fellow MSc students.
Laura added: “It’s really something I didn’t expect, it’s really nice to be nominated.
“I love working in the sector and the future really is exciting. I’m proud to be from Stoke and I love that I’m playing a small part to make it a place of opportunity for our young people.”
One Bomb and Michael Giblin
What began as a boxing training venue in Michael Giblin’s garden has turned into a not-for-profit gym working with people of all ages including disabled children.
One Bomb Boxing Gym, now based in Longton, still trains fighters but Michael, himself a former boxer, now works with anyone from the age of four years upwards.
He prides himself on One Bomb’s inclusivity including work with young people with learning difficulties, ADHD or autism.
One young person with autism trained as a boxer and has now become a coach at the gym.
Michael and One Bomb have been nominated in the Your Heroes Awards by Rebecca Aldersea, the mum of a disabled girl who trains with Michael.
She said: “They help so many children and young adults in so many ways. They hold fundraising events to help children succeed in life. They travel all over providing a place to train and make friendships, giving children less fortunate an opportunity to travel and train. All of this is done through fundraising events.
“Recently they went to Turkey and next on their list is Ireland. My daughter has many health issues and I am so thankful I chose One Bomb for her as she feels right at home and she loves it.
“We’re looking forward to attending the One Bomb summer fair to raise funds towards these trips and gym equipment too and we hope in the near future that my daughter will be able to complete Snowdonia with her second family.
“All of the coaches and staff are fantastic. Nothing is too much for them and they really help build confidence in these children and young adults.”
Michael, from Blurton, combines his work at One Bomb with being carer for his wife.
The 43-year-old said: “It’s absolutely lovely to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award, particularly as it’s come from a parent of a child that we work with.
“We do things out of the goodness of our heart and not for any sort of recognition.”
One Bomb has been nominated as Community Group of the Year and Michael Giblin has been nominated as Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year.
Mothers Mind
A group of Staffordshire mums who have experienced postnatal depression have helped more than 300 other women with their maternal mental health.
Mothers Mind was founded by mum-of-four Sally Wilson from Meir Park so that other women could access the peer-led help she found lacking in the depths of her own postnatal depression.
Now in recovery for more than a decade she leads a group of 10 volunteers and three staff members who all have lived experience of maternal mental health struggles.
Support is offered online and in groups including a 16-week programme tailored to the needs of each participant.
Feedback gathered afterwards includes 100% of women saying they would recommend Mothers Mind and 89% of mums reporting reduced depression and anxiety as a result of the support received.
“We are breathing life into the mums,” said Sally. “We have mums who have been able to stop using medication and no longer need to access services as a result of the support we give them. We give them resilience and tools they can use.”
She has women telling her that they wouldn’t still be here without Mothers Mind, that it is a safe place for them and that they instantly felt they belonged.
“Having a safe, nurturing woman-focused space to heal after childbirth is the foundation of Mothers Mind Staffordshire, but most importantly we save lives,” said Sally.
“Mothers Mind Staffordshire is the only perinatal mental health charity in Staffordshire where healing starts in the fourth trimester. From the support all mums engage with clinical services, attend appointments and have a better understanding of their maternal mental health condition.
“We facilitate a stronger bond and attachment with their baby by using our specialised play therapist and develop a stronger sense of communicating needs and building a unique resilience to the women’s own journey of recovery by providing a variety of services to suit the women’s needs.”
Mothers Mind has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Meir Watch
A Facebook post by Tracey Edwards 12 years ago has grown into a community support group with more than 18,000 followers.
Tracey and her Meir Watch group are involved in a long list of activities to support people throughout the community including events and activities for children, free school uniform and meals during school holidays, support with gardening, promoting the area and its businesses and much more.
During the pandemic Tracey, 36, stepped up to give much needed guidance and mental health support.
The mum of three has been praised for providing what has become a vital lifeline for many within her community.
She has been nominated as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards and Meir Watch has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year.
James Weaver said: “Tracey put out 1,000 teddies over lockdown and supported us all by giving food parcels throughout and video so we knew what was happening.
“Meir was a shell and she has worked hard to fill the town up. All businesses support Tracey and contribute to the things she does. That includes Easter eggs she collects from the businesses and sweets that she hides in plastic eggs so that all kids get an egg or sweets.
“At Halloween there are gift bags and at Christmas she collects toys with Caverswall Scout Club and members.
“She promotes health and wellbeing and shares what is available. She even gets our potholes sorted. She planted flowers in the town and painted our planters and benches. She also does litter picks – a lot of them.
“She’s just selfless. There even does mental health messages and give outs because she knows we are all struggling. She even gives out seed and pots so we can grow things ourselves.
“I’ve seen her find lost animals and even solve crimes. I am proud to be from Meir. Tracey deserves a thank you. I’ve missed a lot of what she does but I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Mickey Boulton said: “Tracey has been there all the time for the past 11 years. She finds our animals and lost items. She promotes the town, which is now bursting with business. She supports all the schools.
“I have never seen anyone so kind and thoughtful. She has stood up for us when we needed it the most.
“She has this presence, when you’re around her you feel safe. I can’t think of a better person to receive a thank you.”
Tracey said she was surprised but very happy to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award.
She said: “I put a post on Facebook about 12 years ago and it spread from there. The more I did, the more people responded. We just seem to do everything – people inbox me and I try to help them if I can. Apart from my three kids, Meir Watch is my main focus.”
The Music in You
The Music in You is a collection of choirs that not only supports people who want to sing, it makes members feel part of a community.
The group, headed by Ashley Mellor, includes more than 20 choirs spanning the majority of Staffordshire. There are around 400 choir members ranging from five to 95 years old.
Ashley said: “It’s an inclusive environment, we welcome anyone who’d like to give singing a go. For those that want to develop and to progress in this field, I can put them on the right path to get to where they want to be. For those who want to come for the joy of singing, then we have a place for them.
“We’ve had some great events, some really large in size. However the day-to-day running of these groups of choirs is what keeps me going. The people are amazing and there’s a real community spirit.”
Lucy Forrest has nominated The Music in You in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “Having music back in my life, even for this relatively short period of time so far, has changed me beyond measure. Despite continuing heavy challenges in life and especially with my health, every day I grow stronger, braver and more resilient.
“I can’t put into words how much of a positive impact there has been in my mental health from being back in the world of music, and every day I am thankful for the opportunities Ashley provides and the support he is willing to offer in every single sense of the word.
“His musical genius knows no boundaries, but it’s so much more than that. Within all our choir families he creates an atmosphere of acceptance, of warmth, of joy, of friendship, of laughter, of hard work, of achievement. He stands by each and every one of us no matter what, and he will always go the extra mile without question when we need him.
“I’ve said to Ashley before that he and his music and his business have changed my life since I met him. It’s actually more than that – he has absolutely saved my life and from the bottom of my heart he will forever have my thanks.”
Ashley said: “I’m overwhelmed by the wonderful feedback. I’m very proud of what our choirs have achieved. To me and the people that I work with it’s more than just music, it’s an extension of our family.
“I’m really chuffed that The Music in You has had some recognition because we are made up of some wonderful people.”
Alice Charity
“On November27, 2021 my husband committed suicide and just five weeks later my six-year-old son had a tragic accident at home. He suffered a sudden and unexpected medical episode in the bath and devastatingly lost his life. Without the Alice Charity, I would not be here today. We’ve lost a lot over the past few years, but I also know we’ve gained a family within the Alice Charity” – these are the words of just one person supported by the Alice Charity.
In 2023 The Alice Charity supported 7,688 children, completed 4,470 home visits to support families, made 4,385 wellbeing calls, held 320 parent and toddler groups and provided 21,015 meals through its foodbank.
The charity was created in 2011 to support vulnerable and disadvantaged families across Stoke- on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
It believes in providing strong foundations and diverse services to help individuals to thrive. It has an unwavering commitment to wellness, kindness and community advancement.
Alice has a core staff of 12 employees and has been supported by more than 40 volunteers and placement students from Keele University, Staffordshire University and Newcastle College over the past year. The charity is also supported by organisations including Hanley Economic Building Society, AMB Insurance, Panda Press and RSM.
Every family helped includes at least one person under the age of 18 with wide-range support including the likes of food parcels, help with household budgeting, emotional support and even providing furniture and household items for people in difficult circumstances.
Alice Charity has been entered into the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by CEO Heather Sheldon.
She said: “Alice is a great place. There is lots of love in our team and everyone here wants to make a difference. I am entering the Your Heroes Awards in recognition of the people who work so hard to make that difference.”
Sutton Trust Community Group
A Stoke-on-Trent community group has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards for its work including caring for a community garden.
Sutton Trust Community Group has been put forward for the accolade by Matthew Bridger, who chairs the board of trustees.
He said: “At the heart of their impactful work lies the Betty Rushton Community Gardens—a vibrant space that transcends the conventional notion of a community garden.
“More than just a collection of plants and greenery, it is a haven for fostering connections, personal growth and community development.
“The garden provides a serene environment where individuals can engage in light exercise, participate in gardening activities and develop new skills.
“It’s a space where the therapeutic power of nature combines with the joy of communal activities, creating a truly transformative experience.”
The Sutton Trust also stages community events and celebrations including an annual fireworks display and a Christmas lights switch-on event.
It also organises outreach and engagement sessions to help residents to overcome challenges, develop new skills and forge meaningful connections.
Matthew added: “The impact of The Sutton Trust Community Group’s work is immeasurable. Behind the statistics and numbers are real stories of individuals whose lives have been touched and transformed.”