Today, I want to tell you a story about someone Made in Stoke, Nick Faunus and shine a light on how Nick has used his experience, skills and, in this case, ranch in Canada to give back to young people in Stoke-on-Trent.Read on for the full story, or watch Nick's video here.
In partnership with YMCA North Staffordshire, Nick opens up his ranch in Canada to provide young people from the YMCA with a life-changing experience. Many of the young people who go on an all-expenses paid trip to the ranch have not left the UK before, not travelled on a plane and not left Stoke.
Using his ranch from his Herb business, Nick is able to provide work experience for these young people to expand their horizons, learn something new and simply be in a completely new environment. Nick himself is an example of how interactions like this can change the course of someone's life as he once found himself without a stable family home at young age.
.jpg)
Believing in someone, giving someone an opportunity, a pat on the back, someone saying "I believe in you" can all change a person's life path forever. For many people living in the deprived areas of Stoke, their world and the people in their world can seem small. Creating opportunities to see more of the world, or meet more people of the world massively improves someone's options in their life.
You can't be what you can't see.
.jpg)
What could you do?
We share this today as food for thought. Is there an experience you could provide people in Stoke-on-Trent? Through your work, or your life situation? Or could you help fund more young people to experience what Nick is so kindly offering? Our Mission is to support your contribution to Stoke. We won't pass the collection jar around very often, more so, we want you to create your contributions.
Come to us with your ideas, come to us with your money and we'll help you have the impact in this City that you want to have.
Dear Stokies
Can I start by thanking you all? First, for buying so many of our unique T-shirts. We can’t wait to see some of the photos shared. I am in Australia currently, sharing my Stoke pride!
Second, to everyone who has signed up to speak in schools. Kaye Morrisey, our Relationships Lead, is currently putting together the directory with bios, and we’re aiming to begin in two educational trusts with students over the coming weeks and months.Dwain McDonaldExecutive Lead
Dwain McDonald
Executive Chair, Made In Stoke
Keele and Sixth Form College
We’ve secured three brilliant speakers for the next quarter, all of whom will support the business school with in-depth Q&As. We’ve also helped facilitate an excellent workshop with the business school and will work closely in the coming months to bridge business and academia.
Please reach out if your company has outstanding projects that sixth form or Keele students could work on. A big thank you to Rachel Laver, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, who was fantastic in bringing several large businesses from Stoke, such as Motiva, KMF, and Giv Energy. I see a lot more collaboration on the horizon for 2025.
Downing Street Visit
As you know, Made in Stoke is non political and has met with representatives from the previous government and now with the new one. Place-Based philanthropy and place-based giving networks like ours are very relevant, and I'm proud to say that Stoke on Trends' very own Made in Stoke was asked to attend Downing Street, and our fabulous Chair Nicky went and represented us.
She came back very confident that the blueprint we are creating in Stoke is something the country is looking at very closely
Centenary 2025
Next year, Stoke celebrates its 100th year as a city, and you can bet we’re right behind it.
We’re working with Made in Stoke members to look at how we support our centenary year, and we expect to announce the full story later this month.
Made in Stoke Ambassadors
We’re expanding our volunteer task force to spread positive messages about the city and the work we’re doing to make it just a bit better. If you’re interested in volunteering, even just a few hours a week, and think you can make an impact, we’d love to have you on the team.
Together, we can all do a little to make our city better.
