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.
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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.
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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.
Our New Vision
We’re embarking on an exciting new journey with a renewed vision for Made in Stoke.
Vision Statement
At Made in Stoke, we envision a vibrant, thriving Stoke-on-Trent where every individual feels a profound connection to the city and is inspired to contribute their time, expertise, and resources. By fostering a robust and engaged network of people dedicated to the well-being and development of our community, we aim to create a future where Stoke-on-Trent stands as a beacon of collaboration, generosity, and sustainable growth.
Outcome
A robust and interconnected Stoke-on-Trent where empowered communities, enriched by social capital, expert guidance, and financial support, collaborate effectively to achieve sustainable development and collective prosperity.
Building Blocks to Succeed
- Creating Economic Development
- We aim to develop programmes that open up new career, educational, and personal growth opportunities for residents. By encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, we will drive local economic development. Collaborating with businesses and academic institutions, we will create pathways for success and maximise the skills and expertise of our network to offer more work-based learning opportunities.
- Cultivating Ambassadors and Champions
- We will identify and support individuals who can positively advocate for and represent Stoke-on-Trent. Offering platforms and opportunities for ambassadors to share their stories will inspire others. Recognising and celebrating the achievements of community champions will build a culture of aspiration and pride within our community.
- Raising Aspiration and Ambition
- Providing opportunities to improve learning through a wide range of extraordinary life chances and experiences is critical. Promoting success stories and role models will elevate community morale. Creating a supportive environment will encourage lifelong learning and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of ambition.
- Building Capacity in Communities
- It is crucial to empower local organisations, businesses, and groups to take on leadership roles and drive community initiatives. Building community capacity through increased social capital and providing expertise or financial investment will foster collaboration and mutual support among community members.
- Supporting Heritage and Culture
- We will work closely with partners to pool resources and build on Stoke-on-Trent's rich cultural heritage. Acting as a landing space for people to bring ideas that support the city, we will foster a culture of collaboration between key partners and volunteers, ensuring our heritage and culture thrive.
Engaged Core Partners
We are proud to have strong support from core partners like Port Vale FC, Stoke City FC, Staffordshire University, local philanthropists, YMCA North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Community Foundation, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. These partnerships are integral to our mission and help us drive forward our initiatives with a united effort.
Thank you, James Routledge
Thank you to James Routledge for outstanding leadership over the past 12 months. James is now focusing on his role at Staffordshire University and his work at the Knot, but he will remain an ambassador for Made in Stoke, continuing to support our mission.
MIS T-shirt Campaign
We’re eager to see where our Made in Stoke T-shirts will travel. Message us directly or reach out on our social media to get yours. Our shop will be up and running next month, with international shipping available.
We’d love to see photos of you in your tee using the hashtag #iammadeinstoke
Upcoming Projects
We’re excited to share that we are working on two significant projects that will impact the city over the next six months.
Stay tuned for more updates soon—we can’t wait to tell you more!
#iammadeinstoke
Please help us spread the word and share the message of Made in Stoke, whether in the city or around the world. Use the hashtag on your socials to show your support and connect with our global community.
Sharing your stories and photos can help us reach more people and showcase our pride in our wonderful city. Let's get the message out there and celebrate Stoke together!
if you want to volunteer, offer your expertise or financially invest in the city - we can link you to the right opportunities and organisations to help make this happen. Please get in touch with us at hello@madeinstoke.com
