Martec Training
Still family-owned and run, Newcastle-under-Lyme based Martec Training has been transforming lives through education for more than 45 years.
Originally established by the owners of motor dealerships to tackle skill shortages in their own trade, Martec now specialises in motor vehicle, hospitality, catering and learners with additional needs.
It has recently opened a performing arts centre for students with additional needs.
29% of Martec’s learners come from deprived backgrounds, 55% have additional learning needs and 92% achieve positive progression into employment, apprenticeships or further education.
Martec Training has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Tracey Holland, Head of Centre, said: “Success at Martec is measured not only by qualifications achieved but by lives transformed.
“We celebrate every learner who gains confidence, overcomes personal barriers, secures employment, progresses to further education or apprenticeships, or simply begins to believe in themselves for the first time.
“These achievements are the result of Martec Training and all that work and genuinely cares, continually innovates and never loses sight of its purpose.
“We are building a community of lifelong learners who are equipped to make a meaningful impact in the world. It is this commitment to educational excellence, innovation, inclusion and community engagement that makes Martec Training a worthy recipient of this award.”
Martec provides a targeted mentoring programme for learners at risk of disengagement, offering a programme that develops their mindset, reestablishes their connection to learning and empowers them to understand that they have meaningful choices and achievable pathways ahead of them.
Through a partnership with Pro Level Academy it provides structured, personalised programmes that help learners rebuild confidence, motivation and self-belief. Weekly football sessions are followed by classroom discussions focused on mindset, resilience, positive influences and the importance of the people we surround ourselves with. These conversations encourage learners to reflect on their choices, challenge limiting beliefs and develop a growth mindset.
Martec also works with a number of entrepreneurs, whose specialist mentoring has been transformative for learners who struggle with confidence, behaviour or self-belief. Their guidance helps learners recognise their strengths, develop resilience and reach their potential by showing them, through lived example and motivational coaching, that anything is possible.
Social responsibility is embedded throughout our curriculum, helping learners understand that success also means making a positive contribution to society. Learners regularly volunteer within the local community by litter picking and helping to clean sections of the river and surrounding areas at Lyme Valley Park.
Throughout the year learners organise fundraising events for local and national charities, collect food and essential supplies for food banks and support local animal rescue centres through donation campaigns.
Baddeley Green Pre-School
Baddeley Green Pre-School has been praised for going above and beyond by the mum of a child who is autistic and non-verbal.
She says the pre-school, based at the parish centre at Milton Church, has advocated daily for her son and given him daily love and support.
She has nominated the six members of the team at Baddeley Green Pre-School in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “I would like to nominate Baddeley Green Pre-School for their work with SEN children. Their SENCO Emily goes above and beyond to help SEN children and their families get the support that they need.
“My son is autistic and non-verbal and attended the pre-school for two years. Emily worked with us and the local authority to get his EHCP finalised and fought a long and hard fight alongside us to get him into a specialist setting.
“Emily advocated day in and day out for my son as well as checking up on myself when I was struggling and arranging support for us as a family through a disability social worker.
“All the staff at the pre-school have provided love and care for my son and worked with him every day. Even when my son had bad days and displayed challenges they never gave up on him. He was also included in every way possible, even making adjustments in activities for him so that he could always join in.
“At the annual leavers prom the music was lowered and the doors opened to outside so that my son would not be overwhelmed and could run outside, which he loves to do. The manager Lynne is incredibly supportive with both staff and parents and nothing is ever too much trouble.
“The pre-school also work alongside multiple SEN families within the setting and are also making a difference in their children’s lives. They are incredible.”
Baddeley Green Pre-School caters for children aged two to four years and prides itself on being a family setting where all children are welcomed, cherished and included.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Lynne Beardmore said: “We fight tirelessly, working alongside parents and the local authority to get the best support for children with needs and disabilities and endeavour to get them the appropriate placement when they move on from pre-school.
“We believe that all children should be treated as individuals and endeavour to give them all unique experiences throughout their time with us, giving them the skills to confidently move onto the next stage of their journey, wherever that may be.
“It is a great honour to be nominated for this award. This lady’s son was a delight to have in setting. His gorgeous smile will stay with us all forever and we are so happy that he has got the support he truly deserves.”
Lucy Farrington
A high school English teacher has been nominated for a Your Heroes Award by two of her former pupils.
Lucy Farrington has been teaching at Madeley School, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, for around nine years after graduating from Keele University in 2011.
The 37-year-old has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the awards by pupils who recently completed their GCSEs at the school.
One former pupil said: “I was so incredibly lucky to have Mrs Farrington as my GCSE English teacher. Not only was she supportive with my struggles in reading and writing, but she gave me and my friends a safe place to be.
“School can be a very difficult time for so many and sometimes me and my friends found it very difficult. She provided so much support for me and my friends and she truly deserves recognition for all she’s done for us.”
A second pupil said: “She was mine and my friend’s English teacher for our two GCSE years and she was amazing. Not only did she teach according to what would help the class, but she offered support to us and a place of calm in her office when the anxiety of everything going on in our lives hit.
“She’s been nothing but supportive and amazing and truly deserves recognition for her amazing work as a teacher.”
For Lucy, the comments from her former pupils are particularly meaningful because her approach to teaching has been shaped by her own experiences at school.
“I struggled at school myself and I felt anxious a lot of the time, particularly when I was comparing myself to other people,” she said. “I remember how overwhelming and intense school could feel, and I think that has made me really want to be the teacher that I needed at that critical point in my education.”
Lucy believes that creating a safe and welcoming environment is just as important as the academic side of teaching.
“I have an open-door policy with my students. They are welcome to come into my classroom and sit during social time: I have group of students who sit my room regularly and have a chat about school or beyond. Sometimes they just need somewhere they feel comfortable and I’m happy to hold that space for them.
“I remember how stressful and intense the pressures of school can be, particularly during GCSEs, and I want to be a teacher who recognises when someone is struggling and can offer support or help direct them to where they can find it in a non-judgemental way.”
At Madeley, Lucy says, the belief that every student matters is something she tries to put into practice every day.
“Students need a balance of nurture, support and encouragement to help them cope with the rigorous demands of GCSEs. I aim to make sure that no student goes unnoticed or unsupported and that every achievement, academic or otherwise, is acknowledged as success might look different to us all.
“Of course, as a teacher, you want your students to achieve academically, but I think it’s equally important that they know they are valued individually and personally, and that there is somebody there who will listen when things are difficult.”
Lucy, from Stoke-on-Trent, said the nomination was completely unexpected and that she had never really considered herself someone who would be worthy of this kind of recognition.
She said: “It’s a complete surprise. It feels quite emotional that they’ve decided to do this off their own back. It’s really lovely.
“I never really imagined that I would be nominated for something like this, so to know that they felt strongly enough to put me forward is incredibly meaningful. I’m really grateful.”
Nicola Stanway
Nicola Stanway leads Caudwell Children’s Shaping Futures Programme, set up to empower neurodivergent young people aged 16 to 25 to unlock their potential and take their next steps in life with confidence and purpose.
Nicola has built the programme from the ground up, transforming it from an idea into a movement of change that is already delivering results.
Over the past 12 months she has been working with learners and training organisations to ensure the participants are fully supported to get the most out of placements. The programme is currently working with 68 young people.
Nicola has also set up a Friday drop-in session to offer help and support with life skills which usually attracts around 30 young people each week.
She has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards by Emma Rosillo of Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services.
Emma said: “Nicola’s dedication provides a vital lifeline for young people with special educational needs and disabilities who are at risk of falling into the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) category. Under her exceptional leadership, the Shaping Futures course acts as a crucial bridge, guiding vulnerable young adults toward meaningful employment, further education and lasting independence.
“She is more than a program manager; she is an advocate, a mentor and a champion for young SEND individuals. Her work transforms anxiety into ambition, providing young people with the tools, confidence and experience they need to build bright, self-sufficient futures. For her unwavering commitment to social inclusion and youth employment, Nicola deserves the highest recognition.
“Nicola understands that career readiness begins with personal independence. She has developed and delivered a comprehensive curriculum that teaches essential life skills, including financial literacy, budgeting, travel knowledge and the opportunity to foster social connection.
“What truly sets Nicola’s work apart is her ability to connect the classroom with the commercial sector. She has proactively partnered with major regional and national organizations to create real-world work scenarios. Key partnerships include Paragon and Martec, offering professional corporate insights, and the Francesco Group and Bod, providing hands-on retail and hospitality experience.
“Nicola ensures that participants do not just practice in theory. They gain vital, real-life experience on the shop floor and in the office. These opportunities break down barriers, challenge stereotypes around disability in the workplace and open doors to genuine employment opportunities.”
Through engaging and interactive employability and life skills sessions the programme provides practical tools and techniques designed to boost confidence, opening doors to a brighter future, ensuring every young person is ready to step forward with self-assurance and success.
The programme is shaped around the young people themselves, listening to their voices, understanding their challenges, maximising their opportunities and celebrating their individuality along with making social connections.
Nicola said: “I’m just absolutely overwhelmed to have been nominated for a Your Heroes Award. It’s so kind of Emma.
“I don’t see what I do as a job. I see myself as an advocate, a voice for these young people. We work with really disadvantaged and misunderstood young people. It’s an honour tpo be able to represent them.”
Shaun Mitchell
The classroom of Endon High School teacher Shaun Mitchell is usually filling up with pupils when other people are leaving at the end of the school day.
For more than a decade the school’s Director of Teaching and Learning for Design and Technology has been giving up his free time to lead on enrichment opportunities including engineering competitions.
The 41-year-old, who has been a teacher for 15 years and based at Endon High School for 11 years, has led pupils to win a coveted international award after competing in South Korea.
He has been nominated as an Inspiration in Education in the Your Heroes Awards by the mum of one of his pupils.
She said: “The word teacher does not describe the level of commitment and enthusiasm that he brings to his role and the school. To say that he goes above and beyond for the pupils at Endon High is an understatement.
“Mr Mitchell has seen the potential of a group of pupils, harnessed their engineering skills, developed their collaboration skills so that they work as a tight-knit team and taken them on a journey of a lifetime to reach their highest potential.
“He has done all of this out of his regular school hours. He often works with the team until at least 5pm most evenings, has given up weekends for competitions and days during his holidays so that they could practise and develop their final products and robot.”
This year the Lego robotics engineering team from Endon High won the national IET First Lego League competition in Harrogate and went on to win the Excellence in Engineering award at the international competition in South Korea. It is the first time a UK team has won the award.
In the lead up to the international competition Shaun spent countless hours speaking to local businesses to raise sponsorship so that the team could compete overseas and organised publicity on local radio and TV to highlight the team’s success.
The parent added: “This huge success is an accumulation of Mr Mitchell’s dedication, hard work and the pure passion he has for developing the engineers of the future. This isn’t just a one-off moment. This is something that he has been working towards since joining Endon High approximately 10 years ago and has given each team the same level of commitment and support. He has already started to plan for multiple teams across various engineering competitions for the next few years ensuring the legacy will continue to thrive.
“It has become evident that the five young men in the team see Mr Mitchell as more than just a teacher. He is their role model, their mentor, their team member, someone who they trust and respect with their whole heart and above all I honestly believe they would say he was a friend.
“I had the absolute pleasure in joining them on their trip to South Korea and what I witnessed was a family. Our world has become very disjointed, where young people are afraid to be who they truly are and where many friendships are built on superficial beliefs. What started out as an extra-curricular activity has brought together five young men who have found the freedom and confidence to be who they are meant to be and where they belong. Without Mr Mitchell these five young men may not have found their people or themselves and they would not have had this amazing opportunity that has led to so many life changing experiences.”
Shaun said: “This isn’t about me, it’s about the kids. They’re realised a dream and in striving for their dream they’ve gained so many other things too.
“I’m honoured that a parent has gone out of their way to write such a beautiful thing. It made me cry when I read it. I was reading it out loud to my son and had to stop because I got choked up.”
Dave Sutton
Dave Sutton began his career as an apprentice with Stoke City Football Club and now supports thousands of people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
He is a sports lecturer and runs the Academy of Sport programme at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, where he has worked for the past 20 years.
Under his leadership NSCG’s Academy of Sport has been ranked as the highest performing sports offering in its sector in the West Midlands and sixth nationally.
His role includes supporting more than 7,000 full-time college students to stay active alongside their studies.
He leads coaches to ensure students can compete in sports including as part of seven football teams, two basketball teams, three volleyball teams, three netball teams, a pan-disability football team and many more.
Dave has been nominated in the Sporting Icon and Inspiration in Education categories of the Your Heroes Awards by Mark Kent, Director of Professional Services at NSCG.
Mark said: “I can wholeheartedly state that Dave is one of the most passionate and genuine people to support the sport and physical activity agenda within not only the college but also local community.
“He has at every opportunity placed our learner’s experiences and opportunities to fulfil their sporting and physical activity goals at the very highest level of priority and I sincerely hope that he can be recognised for such stellar work.
“The exceptional work by the Academy of Sport is not something that has happened without an incredible amount of time and effort, all of which Dave has been at the forefront of as a driving factor.
“Dave recognises that students gain a great deal from not only competing but also taking a leader or volunteer role. As such Dave has worked closely with various governing bodies, AoC Sport, Todd Bailey and several other key partners to ensure students can be proactive as leaders in sport. Whether that’s running sessions, becoming an FA leader or any other opportunities, Dave is always keen to support develop the next generation of sports leaders.
“Needless to say, the activity over the past 12 months is fantastic but something Dave has incrementally built over his tenure.”
Dave said: “It’s a really nice gesture from Mark. It’s nice that he would consider me to be put forward for a Your Heroes Award.
“Working with the students and seeing them play sport is my reward. I love watching our students play all kinds of different sports. Watching students express themselves, win competitions and represent the college is fantastic.”
He added: “I started out as an apprentice at Stoke City so sport has always been part of my life. It’s always been a passion of mine and something I enjoy watching and teaching.”
Tom Harrison
Tom Harrison has worked for the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey and at Crewe Hall, Goldstone Hall, Aston Marina and Alton Towers but now he spends his time upskilling Staffordshire’s future chefs.
A former chef himself, he is now Curriculum Leader for Hospitality and Catering at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group where his work includes the award-winning Riverbank Restaurant.
He designs the curriculum and works on enrichment activities for students such as organising guest speakers, masterclasses, work and industry placements and training students to enter competitions.
Tom, who joined Stafford College as a lecturer a decade ago and has been Curriculum Leader for five years, has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Mark Kent, Director of Professional Studies at NSCG, said: “Tom does not just do the job he is at the forefront of every possible opportunity to give the students the absolute best experience that we can facilitate. He is always looking for an opportunity to enrich the lives of his learners or looking at ways that he can make life just that little bit easier for them. Tom is not only passionate about his students but also ambitious for them and their careers.
“Typically, a significant proportion of learners in the catering department start their programme needing a lot of support for confidence and self-esteem. However Tom instils a core belief in his students and staff that they are more than capable and they can and should reach for their dreams. Tom along with the team he leads achieve this upturn in student self-esteem and confidence through a range of extra activities that he weaves into the curriculum irrespective of being a necessity to the qualification or not.
“For instance, Tom invests a vast amount of hours to upskill students to be ready for a very busy commercial restaurant.”
Restaurants including The Tawny, Little Seeds and Aston Marina have worked with students to devise menus and supported them in preparing fine dining dishes.
Mark said: “Tom is an expert in ascertaining when students are and equally are not quite ready for the challenge that this environment poses. Given Tom is an outstanding FE Lecturer, Tom swiftly identifies and supports any gaps on knowledge or skills so that students can make accelerated progress. Students gain the feedback and insight so they can focus on concentrated areas to develop in a nurturing fashion.”
NSCG students were named as the best kitchen team in the British Culinary Federation Student Cook and Serve competition.
Level 3 Professional Cookery student, Viacheslav Marynychenko took second place at the prestigious CombiGuru Challenge, a national culinary competition for UK colleges held in Italy.
Tom has encouraged initiatives such as cardiac screening fundraising for the CRY charity, the big FE Lunch aimed at care providers having a free afternoon tea in the restaurant and ESOL students working with catering learners to facilitate a World Food Awareness Event. He has been appointed as a teaching and learning coach within NSCG.
Mark added: “Tom is a lecturer who does not settle and wants to lead by example. To inspire his students to have a desire to grow and risk constructive feedback, Tom constantly wishes to challenge himself, his team and the college’s Riverbank Restaurant. Tom supports three public lunch services and one evening opening to the public that Tom with his team and students manage wonderfully.
“I sincerely hope Tom is recognised by the Your Heroes Award as an Inspiration in Education.”
Tom said he was shocked but grateful to have been nominated for a Your Heroes Award.
He said: “I’m part of a team that works really well together. Without them I wouldn’t have been recognised. We’re always looking at doing the best we can for learners.
“Being a chef has been in my blood since I was 13 or 14 and my aim has always been to improve opportunities within the industry.”
Mandy Tucker
Mandy Tucker has been championing deaf and vision-impaired people across Staffordshire for more than 30 years.
She is the manager of ASSIST, part of Staffordshire County Council’s Specialist Support and Teaching Service, which provides the likes of BSL interpreters, specialist notetakers and sighted guides.
The service also includes Braille and audio transcription, Easy Read translation, readers and library support, Deafblind Communicator Guides, communication support workers, specialist study skills tutors and vision awareness training.
Mandy and her team work with over-16s in colleges and universities as well as in settings such as courtrooms.
She has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards with her nominator, Mike Tyler, calling her a hero and a constant inspiration to those who are fortunate enough to know her.
He said: “Without Mandy’s leadership over the last three decades ASSIST would likely have been subsumed by large generic support providers or disappeared due to the economic pressures and cost-cutting policies which so often disproportionately impact the very students ASSIST supports.
“Mandy’s dedication and her inability to take no for an answer, combined with her winning sense of humour has meant that ASSIST has continued to grow, adapt and thrive.
“Mandy has pioneered and championed the cause of deaf and vision-impaired students in further and higher education in Staffordshire for over 30 years. She continues to inspire new generations of staff and facilitate the educational achievements of these students.”
ASSIST is a small cost recovery service which was set up in 1988 to support a handful of deaf school leavers to progress to further and higher education.
When Mandy took the helm a few years later ASSIST grew and developed under her guidance to reflect the growing demand for local, high-quality, bespoke, specialist support required by deaf and vision-impaired students as they continued with their learning journeys into further and higher education.
ASSIST has expanded over the years to support deaf and vision-impaired people in the community but has never departed from its commitment to a focus on the educational opportunities of students in Staffordshire.
Mike added: “Mandy’s passion for the people she supports, her vision, her relentless enthusiasm and absolute determination to level up the educational opportunities for deaf and vision-impaired students in Staffordshire is truly inspirational.”
Mandy has been working at ASSIST for 32 years and even moved from Birmingham to Staffordshire to be closer to the job.
She said: “I’m an interpreter myself and came in to do that job, eventually becoming the manager, so I know all the roles and we all do a bit of everything.
“We’ve seen a lot of organisations come and go over the years. I’ve always said that even though funding has been difficult at times, we have to keep the quality of what we do.
“I’ve always tried to put myself in the shoes of the people I’m supporting and ask the staff to do the same. I’m not deaf or blind but I try to have that understanding of their life.
“I arrived thinking I’d stay as long as the job interests me and it’s never failed to interest me. There’s always something new every day.”
She added: “I’ve got a marvellous team. They’re wonderful. Everybody works in this team as if it was their life and their business. They do it because they care.”
Stage Productions
For nearly two decades Stage Productions has been creating professional-quality theatre shows and offering life-changing performance opportunities for more than 4,000 people of all ages.
The Stoke-on-Trent based community interest company has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards by the parent of a Stage Productions performer, who says it has been transformative for her child.
She said: “Stage Productions has become one of our local community’s most powerful educational forces, investing £2.2 million into local arts and creating life‑changing opportunities for more than 4,000 performers.
“Their belief is that every young person deserves the chance to shine. From first steps in their Stage School to standing ovations in full-scale productions like the recent Charlie and the Chocolate Factory production at the Regent Theatre, they nurture talent with patience, expertise and genuine care.
“Their work blends the enthusiasm of amateur performers with the skill of professional creatives, resulting in musical theatre of exceptional, West End‑level quality right here in Stoke-on-Trent. But their greatest impact reaches far beyond the stage.
“Stage Productions helps young people like my daughter and friend’s son who has autism grow in confidence, develop communication skills, build resilience and discover a sense of belonging.
“They create an environment where every child feels seen, supported and capable of achieving more than they ever imagined.
“This story is echoed by countless families who have watched their children thrive under Stage Productions’ mentorship. More than a theatre company, Stage Productions is an educational powerhouse inspiring creativity, strengthening wellbeing and shaping futures. Their commitment to opportunity, inclusion and excellence makes them an outstanding candidate for a Your Heroes Award.”
Stage Productions put on its first show in 2008 and now stages six to eight annually, including at The Regent Theatre in Hanley. It has also recently staged shows in a big top at Trentham Gardens.
The CIC is run by co-founder and producer Jonathan Cliffe, co-founder Chris Regnauld and co-producer and choreographer Grace Forrester.
Jonathan, who has a corporate background in marketing, said: “We grew up being part of youth theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme. When that closed we founded Stage Productions. We work with an awful lot of young people but also work with adults as well.
“There are challenges in Stoke-on-Trent. Building confidence is a big part of what we do whether that’s with young people or adults.”
He added: “It feels amazing for Stage Productions to have been nominated for a Your Heroes Award and to think that what we’ve been doing over the years has been recognised in that way. It’s lovely to hear.
“Ultimately we do it because we love it and it’s wonderful to hear that other people feel that way too. It shows it must be working.”
Selina Rudzik
Selina Rudzik, Director of Recruitment Robin, has transformed her Staffordshire-based recruitment business into a bridge between education and employment, inspiring young people to achieve their full potential while helping employers invest in the workforce of the future.
Recognising the gap between education and industry, Selina has developed Recruitment Robin into more than a recruitment agency. Through strong partnerships with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group she has created meaningful workplace opportunities that equip students with the confidence, skills and experience needed to succeed.
Selina has introduced more than 20 local employers to T-Level placements and supported more than 50 businesses to embrace early talent as part of their long-term recruitment strategy. Within Recruitment Robin, students studying Legal Services, Business Management, Digital and Marketing are immersed in live business operations, gaining hands-on experience across the recruitment process rather than simply observing. Through structured mentoring and increasing responsibility they develop confidence, commercial awareness and transferable workplace skills.
One of those students, Mia Howard, progressed from a reserved learner to independently managing recruitment campaigns and delivering measurable results for clients. Her outstanding development led to Recruitment Robin continuing to work with her following the successful completion of her placement as she prepares to begin her studies at Aston University.
Selina has also worked closely with NSCG to strengthen employer engagement, delivering CPD sessions including Networking for Professionals and Prospecting for Success.
By sharing practical recruitment expertise she has helped placement and curriculum teams build stronger employer relationships and secure more high-quality opportunities for students.
Her own commitment to continuous professional development ensures this advice remains current and impactful.
As a member of the Staffordshire Chambers HR, Skills and Employment Forum, and through regular participation in ACAS and regional HR forums, she stays up to date with employment legislation, workforce development and best practice.
She shares this knowledge with employers through presentations on topics including engaging Generation Z and future workforce planning, helping businesses rethink how they attract, develop and retain emerging talent.
Lyndsey Cherry, Head of Employer Engagements and Partnerships at NSCG, said: “Selina is a true entrepreneurial force. She doesn’t just hire students she develops the wider system that supports their progression.
“Her input has strengthened employer engagement practice and significantly improved access to meaningful placement opportunities.”
Martin Emanuel, Director at For Sale Boards UK, said: “Selina helped us integrate T-Level students into our business in a structured way.
“We’ve now hosted students across digital, engineering and CAD roles and they have contributed meaningfully to our operations while developing valuable skills for the future.”
Recruitment Robin recently underwent a Fair Work Agency compliance inspection, receiving a full clean bill of health and demonstrating full compliance across all areas.
Selina Rudzik has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
Clare Clohesy
Clare Clohesy has been described as empathetic and authentic with a relentless drive to make a difference.
Since joining Stoke-on-Trent College just over a year ago she has consistently delivered exceptional and sustained performance as a Community Engagement Practitioner.
That includes engaging with more than 60 veterans and hundreds of families across the city.
She is responsible for delivering high-quality, flexible learning opportunities within local communities, supporting adults to develop skills for work, confidence, wellbeing and progression, while building partnerships and expanding the college’s reach.
She has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards by colleagues at Stoke-on-Trent College.
They said: “Clare has far exceeded the expectations of this role, redefining what community-based education can achieve and serving the city of Stoke-on-Trent with pride.
“Clare’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the communities she serves across Stoke-on-Trent.”
Clare does not deliver off-the-shelf sessions. She invests time in understanding the unique needs, barriers and aspirations of each group, adapting her provision to create bespoke, learner-centred experiences.
This has enabled her to engage some of the most hard-to-reach individuals, many of whom face complex social, emotional or economic challenges.
While her role is contractually delivered 9am to 5pm, Clare routinely gives her own time, often moving sessions to evenings and weekends to meet the needs of learners and maximise engagement.
She has also created and personally funded a prize box which she uses to boost enthusiasm and engagement where necessary.
Clare is tasked with attending many community events. She takes activities such as balloon modelling or cake decorating to engage children, allowing her to have meaningful conversations with parents.
Although her role is focused on supporting life skills, she goes above and beyond to support families in accessing wider services. This includes helping parents secure SEN provision for their children and supporting vulnerable individuals to access counselling and medical support. She is also a trusted listener—someone people turn to when challenges feel overwhelming.
She makes learning engaging and enjoyable. For example when teaching adults with learning difficulties basic numeracy she created a curling competition during the Olympics and used it to teach participants how to add and track scores.
Clare has worked extensively with tri-service veterans, many of whom were experiencing isolation, bereavement or PTSD. Through cookery sessions she has not only taught practical skills but rebuilt confidence and purpose. One veteran who had lost his wife and could not cook now prepares meals weekly for others. Another progressed to leading sessions under Clare’s guidance.
Clare supported a veteran with no previous baking experience to enter a cake competition with his grandson. Together they created an Eiffel Tower–shaped cake. This not only developed his skills but gave him a meaningful hobby and strengthened his relationship with his grandson.
While working in assisted living accommodation she supported a woman who had stopped going to the shop due to fear of being short-changed. Clare taught her basic numeracy and how to use a calculator, restoring her confidence and independence.
Clare has worked with parents in schools to build confidence in supporting their children’s learning. One mother, previously unable to engage her children in reading saw all three children actively reading with her within weeks through Clare’s modelling and encouragement.
Through initiatives such as memory bear workshops she has helped families process grief by creating meaningful keepsakes from loved ones’ clothing while also building confidence and practical skills.
Clare also supports parents with school readiness, including helping them potty train their children to ensure they are prepared and independent when starting school.
Clare’s work with diverse groups, including ESOL learners, goes far beyond education. She supports individuals in navigating life in the UK, helping them access healthcare, childcare and essential services, reducing isolation and fostering community cohesion. In one group learners were so impacted by her support that they prepared food from their home countries as a gesture of gratitude, demonstrating the strong, trust-based relationships she builds.
Clare’s nominator added: “Her proactive approach to partnership working and community engagement is exceptional. Clare actively seeks out opportunities, represents the college at events and creates innovative ways to engage families, whether through interactive stalls, creative activities or tailored programmes during school holidays. She identifies gaps in provision and responds with relevant, impactful initiatives, often outside of her formal remit.
“She identifies potential in learners and supports progression, as demonstrated by mentoring individuals into leadership roles. She empowers parents, builds peer support networks and creates environments where individuals uplift one another, ensuring her impact is sustainable and far-reaching.
“She is not just an educator but a trusted advocate, often the person individuals turn to when they have nowhere else to go. From supporting access to SEN services to signposting mental health support and food banks, she consistently goes above and beyond to improve lives.
“Her work does not just support progression. It transforms lives, strengthens communities and embodies the very best of what Stoke-on-Trent College stands for.”