Stoke-on-Trent College’s Youth Social Action Team – Community Group of the Year nomination

Stoke-on-Trent College’s Youth Social Action Team – Community Group of the Year nomination

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.