Hello Stokies,
There's something pretty special about saying you're Made in Stoke.
Whether you were born here, grew up here, found your way back, or simply carry a little bit of Stoke with you wherever life has taken you, one thing is clear. This city has a remarkable way of creating people who never stop championing it.
This month's newsletter is packed with brilliant examples of what happens when people talk proudly about where they're from. From international lawyer and lifelong Stoke advocate John Phillips, whose passion for the city has opened doors for young people and attracted support for local causes, to care leaver Matt Peacham, whose determination and talent have led him to an incredible legal opportunity through the Made in Stoke community.
We're also celebrating the launch of Stoke-on-Trent's very first Book Festival, a fantastic new cultural event that's bringing together authors, readers and communities across the city. And if you've ever wondered how you could make a difference, you'll discover how our network is helping young people experience opportunities they never imagined possible, from work experience in London to adventures across the UK and beyond.
Every connection starts with a conversation. Every opportunity starts with someone saying, "I know someone who might be able to help."
That's what Made in Stoke is all about.
So wherever you're reading this from, thank you for flying the flag for our city. Keep telling Stoke stories, keep making introductions, and keep showing the world what being Made in Stoke really means.
Enjoy this month's newsletter!
Why it's good to talk about being Made in Stoke
John Phillips, Partner, Jones Day
I say Made in Stoke, but I'm actually from Newcastle under Lyme, for which I regularly get stick. League Cup 72, Greenhoff, Hudson etc. I was 10 in 1975 when we should have won the league. I left for university in 1982 and then, as my Nana used to say, tried for a career in the law in London. I've been there ever since, but as the years have passed, my affection for the area that made me, its history and heritage have grown and grown, not least because I now know, having travelled all over the world, that the people of Stoke-on-Trent are just the best. Both the plate turning and the advocacy for the greatest city in the world have become worryingly more pronounced. All my colleagues know that it's Six Towns, not Five, that Josiah Wedgwood was the Steve Jobs of his day and that my Dad grew up in a village with a Belstaff factory.
Talking about Stoke makes good things happen. After being introduced (by a colleague in Pittsburgh!) to the then Prince of Wales' office, I wrote to his FD, saying I was from the area to express gratitude for his Regeneration Trust's redevelopment of Middleport. That led to an invite to Middleport, and to Clare Wood introducing me to Nicky Twemlow MBE and Made in Stoke at the V&A launch. Nicky and I have done lots together since. We've hosted a London reception for Made in Stoke in our offices (not as cool as the V&A or Belstaff) and Nicky has introduced me to a wonderful young man, Matt Peacham, who is setting out on a legal career whom my firm has been able to provide with work experience in our London office.
I am a trustee of a London heritage charity and, obviously, I'm always telling them about Stoke's amazing built heritage. We're trying to introduce an element of our London youth engagement programme Proud Places into Stoke's Centenary Restoration Fund, and after hearing me talk about Stoke, one of our greatest supporters asked me to identify a Stoke charity to whom he could make a donation, resulting in a five-figure cheque to the Portland Inn Project.
Most recently, talk of Stoke at lunch led a friend in advertising to introduce me to the wonderful Challenger Academy, set up in 2021 by the UK's No.1 ranked creative agency VCCP, which equips underrepresented young adults in Stoke and increasingly beyond, with the confidence and capability to thrive in their career. My firm is in early discussions to explore a collaboration with them.
Made in Stoke is all about creating connections within the Stoke diaspora (I just love that term) to "harness their fierce pride and loyalty". I have found that just talking about Stoke, to whoever will listen, can be the start of those connections, because people from or adjacent to Stoke just want to see it succeed. Together, we will make that happen.
John Phillips is a Partner in the international law firm Jones Day, the Chairman of Heritage of London Trust and a trustee of Re-Form Heritage, the Heritage Development Trust for Stoke-on-Trent.
Care leaver Matt Peacham lands dream legal opportunity
Every care leaver's journey is unique, shaped by both the challenges they have faced and the determination they show in building their future. Matt Peacham's story is one of resilience, perseverance and the impact that the right support, opportunities and encouragement can have.
This September, Matt will begin studying Law at Staffordshire University, marking another significant milestone in a journey that has taken him from a difficult childhood to discovering a passion for the legal profession. In his own words, Matt shares how he overcame adversity, embraced new opportunities and found the confidence to pursue the career he has always dreamed of.
I was born in London and grew up between East London and Essex, where unfortunately I experienced abuse. At seven, I moved to Stoke, and at 10, I went into foster care with two fantastic people, Dave and Sue.
At 19, after being medically discharged from the Army, I returned to Essex. A year later, I decided to move back to Stoke, where my Social Worker referred me to the YMCA. I moved in on my 21st birthday.
Since then, I've had so many opportunities, from work experience to meeting His Majesty King Charles III.
I have always had an interest in law, however, never had the opportunity to really get a good understanding of what life in Law would be like. So, about two months ago, I asked Nicky Twemlow, Group Chair of Made in Stoke and CEO of YMCA North Staffordshire whether she knew anyone in the Law field. Lo and behold, she does!
I was extremely fortunate enough to have received an offer from John Phillips, Partner in Charge of the Jones Day London Office and Made in Stoke supporter, to go and do a week of work experience. I arrived Monday morning, not knowing what to expect. I left on Friday evening knowing that Law is the career I want for myself.
This week really opened my eyes to how fulfilling a Law career can be.
A huge thank you to John Phillips, and his fantastic team of Lawyers for making me feel welcome and introducing me to Commercial Law.
Made in Stoke helps bring Stoke's first Book Festival to life
Made in Stoke is proud to be one of the key partners behind the inaugural Stoke Book Festival, taking place 3 to 10 October.
The week-long celebration will bring bestselling authors, creative workshops, family activities and community events to the city, while championing literacy and inspiring a love of reading for all ages.
Featuring authors including A.J. West, Verity Babbs and Helena Attlee, the festival is set to become a major new cultural event for Stoke-on-Trent, and Made in Stoke is delighted to be helping drive its launch alongside Stoke Minster, Stoke-on-Trent Libraries and other partners.
The Stoke Book Festival is looking for volunteers, sponsors and founding supporters to help make this exciting new event a success.
Whether you can give your time, support an author event, or become a festival sponsor, you'll be helping create a lasting cultural legacy for Stoke-on-Trent while championing literacy and creativity across the city.
If you'd like to play a part in bringing the inaugural Stoke Book Festival to life, we'd love to hear from you. Contact sam@madeinstoke.com
Fancy helping a young person from Stoke try something they never thought possible?
Work experience is just one of the brilliant things our Made in Stoke community has made possible for local young people.
Thanks to the amazing support of our community, we've also helped young people volunteer on an organic farm in Canada, head to a festival in Glastonbury, and enjoy an artist retreat in Devon. These are the kinds of experiences that build confidence, open doors, and create memories that last a lifetime.
If you'd like to help give a young person, or a whole group of young people, an opportunity they'll never forget, we'd love to hear from you. Drop Sam a line at sam@madeinstoke.com and let's make something amazing happen.
If you have an idea, opportunity, expertise, funding or resource that could support Stoke-on-Trent and its communities, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Deb Sanderson at deb@madeinstoke.com
Big love,
