Business in the Community Award 2026
Category criteria
- This category will recognise businesses that demonstrate an impactful commitment to corporate social responsibility, including contributing to the community within which they’re based.
- Businesses can be of any size and working within any sector.
From Longton & Proud CIC
Business in the Community entrant
From Longton & Proud CIC was built on a simple idea: what if neighbours helped neighbours?
Although officially incorporated in March 2024, the organisation’s story began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when communities were isolated, support was limited and many people were struggling. What started as a grassroots response to help local people quickly became something much more powerful a community stepping forward for itself. That same spirit continues today.
From Longton & Proud CIC exists to create opportunities, reduce barriers and rebuild pride within the town. It is not driven by funding or formal structures but by a genuine commitment to people and place. Every initiative is designed with one clear purpose: to ensure that everyone in Longton feels included, supported and able to take part in their community.
At the heart of the organisation is The Little Longton Book Exchange, based at Longton Exchange. This free and welcoming space encourages literacy, sharing and conversation, while also creating a place where people feel comfortable and connected. Used daily by individuals and families, it has become a simple but powerful symbol of accessibility and inclusion within the town.
From Longton & Proud CIC is entirely volunteer led. Operating without formal funding, everything it delivers is made possible through the time, energy and care of local people. This creates a strong sense of ownership and ensures the organisation remains closely aligned to the needs of the community it serves.
The CIC focuses on practical, meaningful support that removes barriers and responds directly to local need. Through The Little Longton Uniform Exchange, families can access free school uniform, reducing financial pressure while ensuring children feel prepared and included. Winter Warmers provides free clothing and support during colder months, offering both practical help and reassurance.
Weekly coffee mornings provide a consistent and welcoming space for people to come together, reducing isolation and building relationships. Operating on an honesty box basis, individuals contribute what they can, when they can, removing financial pressure while maintaining dignity and inclusion.
The organisation supports additional opportunities for engagement including community jigsaws, accessible recreational activities such as ping pong tables and food hygiene training for volunteers. These initiatives, while simple, play a significant role in building confidence, encouraging participation and strengthening community connection.
The introduction of a community lounge has further enhanced this offer, providing a safe and inclusive space where people can spend time, connect and access support. While part of a wider city initiative, its presence within Longton Exchange strengthens the CIC’s ability to support people locally and consistently.
From Longton & Proud CIC plays an active role in wider community activity. Through its relationship with Longton Exchange it supports free, inclusive events that bring people together and create positive shared experiences, helping to ensure these opportunities remain accessible to all.
Partnership working has been key to sustaining and growing its impact. Support from initiatives such as the Longton Artisan and Cultural Fair, which donates profits from its monthly markets, allows the CIC to continue reinvesting into the community despite operating without formal funding.
From Longton & Proud CIC has expanded its impact through the opening of a second unit within Longton Exchange, offering a range of preloved and new items. This space is entirely volunteer-led and has been developed to support the long-term sustainability of the organisation by generating income that is reinvested directly into its community initiatives. By creating a self-sustaining model, the CIC has strengthened its ability to continue delivering support without reliance on formal funding, while also increasing its presence and accessibility within the centre.
From Longton & Proud CIC engages with more than 500 people each week. This impact is not driven by large-scale campaigns but through consistency, visibility and trust. People know where it is, what it offers and that they are welcome.
From Longton & Proud CIC has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Inspired Film and Video
Business in the Community entrant
To mark its 20th anniversary year Inspired Film and Video has launched 20 Good Deeds, a year-long commitment to delivering 20 meaningful acts of community support in 2026.
The Inspired team will be volunteering, fundraising, mentoring young people and supporting grassroots organisations that may not otherwise have access to professional creative resources. Each activity is designed to create tangible benefit while strengthening long-term relationships in the region.
Comprised largely of University of Staffordshire alumni, the company works for high-profile clients around the UK and globally from its base in Stoke-on-Trent.
Managing Director Daniel Stubbs said: “We have always believed that being a business carries a responsibility to contribute, support and help our local area thrive. This ethos has shaped how we operate, guiding both our client work and our wider community engagement.
“To mark our twentieth year we have launched 20 Good Deeds. This initiative reflects our gratitude for two decades of support and our desire to give back in a structured, consistent and impactful way.”
Alongside fundraising, education and skills development remain central to Inspired Film and Video’s long-term commitment. For the past eight years it has have funded an annual £750 filmmaking bursary for students at University of Staffordshire. This bursary helps students bridge the gap between academic study and professional production, enabling them to complete final projects to a higher standard.
Inspired also regularly provides paid placements, freelance opportunities and structured work experience for young people across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. This year it is hosting four T Level Media students from Stoke-on-Trent College for a two-week placement in June. This immersive experience will allow them to work within a live production environment, gaining insight into professional standards, workflows, and expectations.
Daniel added: “The 20 Good Deeds initiative is not a departure from our usual work, but a continuation of values that have guided us for two decades. It builds on a long-standing commitment to education, charity partnerships and local engagement. Rather than a one-off campaign, it represents the evolution of an approach we have always believed in.
“Being based in Stoke-on-Trent is central to our identity. The city and wider Staffordshire region have shaped who we are, both creatively and culturally. The resilience, creativity and strong sense of community we see locally continues to inspire our work and reinforce our values. We are proud to support the individuals and organisations that make this area such a vibrant place to live and work.”
Inspired Film and Video has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Kuotos Swim
Business in the Community entrant
Kuotos Swim is built on a simple belief: that swimming and open water swimming has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and improve wellbeing for people of all backgrounds.
Founded by Ian Cartwright in 2021 as a swimming school, a partnership with Whitmore Lakes has seen the business grow and support the swimming community in many ways.
Through its open water swimming programmes, events and charity swims, Kuotos Swim has created an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals can build confidence, resilience and connection.
From complete beginners to experienced triathletes, sessions are designed to be accessible, safe and welcoming—removing barriers that often prevent people from engaging in outdoor activity.
Former school teacher Ian began his business teaching children to swim in an indoor pool. A former water polo player and competitive swimmer, he transitioned to teaching outdoor swimming after losing the use of his pool during the pandemic.
He said: “A key part of our business is the swimming community that we support, who in turn support us and each other. From cold water dipping to swimming the length of Coniston our community gets stronger by the day.
“Many people join us not just to swim, but to feel part of something bigger, supporting both physical and mental health. Lifelong friendships have been born.”
In 2025 Kuotos Swim had a number of teams swimming the equivalent of the English Channel in the lake at Whitmore, raising £2,000 which was split between Mind and the RNLI. This year Kuotos is aiming for the community to swim for 24 hours whilst supporting the Alzheimer’s Society in September.
Ian said: “We are particularly proud of our work with the Men Rebuilding Men CIC support group. Through this partnership we provide opportunities for men to engage in cold water swimming and saunas as a way to support mental health, build routine and create meaningful social connections.
“These sessions offer a safe, non-judgemental space where participants can step away from daily pressures, reconnect with themselves and be supported by others who understand their journey. The impact has been profound, with participants saying that the cold water and the community make these events an integral part of their routine and supporting their mental health.
“All of our sessions are supported by qualified open water coaches with rescue and first aid training, ensuring that participants can enjoy the water with confidence. Taking a non-swimming adult to swimming in a lake or the sea with the support of the community is amazing – a feeling like no other.
“Swimming can be a lonely sport, head down looking at the black line, but through our work, particularly in the open water, we have built a community that helps and supports each other. There is also the community that we do not see, those who connect and swim once they have been on a course. As we say, swimming for all.
Kuotos Swim has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
The QUARTER at Potbank
Business in the Community entrant
A food and events business based on a site that’s about to have a multi-million-pound regeneration is successfully combining heritage, innovation and community impact.
The Quarter at Potbank, based on the Spode site in Stoke, will celebrate its sixth anniversary in September.
Owners Annmarie and Josef Bailey are constantly innovating and looking to expand their offer, including a current increased focus on weddings and staging larger events.
Since its inception the business has transformed the local high street by blending heritage preservation with contemporary hospitality, fostering community engagement and stimulating economic growth.
The venue’s distinctive character attracts both locals and tourists, contributing to the area’s cultural renaissance.
By day The QUARTER serves homemade meals in a family-friendly café setting. By night it transforms into a vibrant restaurant. This dual identity not only broadens its appeal but also encourages repeat visits, enhancing foot traffic on the high street.
The Factory Floor, its dedicated live entertainment space, hosts events including live music, comedy nights and tarot readings. These events provide a platform for local artists and performers, foster a vibrant arts scene and draw diverse audiences to the area.
The QUARTER offers venue hire for weddings, christenings, baby showers and other community gatherings, reinforcing its role as a communal gathering place.
Annmarie Bailey said: “There are lots of things happening at Spode right now, lots of investment, so it’s a very good place for us to be based right now.
“The developers Capital and Centric are going to be taking over a lot of the site and redeveloping much of the space which is all very exciting.”
The QUARTER at Potbank has entered the High Street Impact, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Lowe's on Carter Street
Business in the Community entrant
Opened by Head Chef George Lowe in April 2023, Lowe’s on Carter Street has become one of Uttoxeter’s most significant high street success stories.
George, whose career spans Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels and international private chef work, wanted to bring a new dining experience to Uttoxeter.
Lowe’s is a casual fine dining restaurant and wine bar that prides itself on an ever-evolving menu using the very best Staffordshire produce and working with suppliers including Dunwood Butchers and Staffordshire Coffee.
It has created jobs, attracted thousands of visitors, gained 400 five-star reviews and given back to the town that George grew up in.
George and the team believe a great restaurant should be about more than just excellent food. They want it to set a standard in the town and to give guests an experience they never forget. In the three years they’ve been operating they’ve built a restaurant that is attracting visitors from across Staffordshire and is rooted in the community.
Thanks to the quality of their food, hard work of their team, personal touch and approach to customer service repeat business stands at 34.73% above the industry average. One customer, a widower, visits Lowe’s every Sunday without fail. She has a children’s meal and talks to the team - the restaurant is her social lifeline.
Employing a team of eight local staff, Lowe’s is a proud living wage employer and operates a four-day working week.
The restaurant’s popularity led George to launch ambitious expansion plans last year, snapping up the empty unit next door, and helping revitalise one of Uttoxeter’s main streets in the process. A £15,000 investment created a new bar area and increased their covers by 12, a rise of 25% and increasing their floorspace by a third.
Over the past three years, the restaurant has delivered at least 600 three-course Christmas dinners completely free of charge, no questions asked, to residents across Uttoxeter. Meals are delivered on Christmas Eve, ensuring people who may be isolated, elderly or financially struggling can enjoy a festive meal without the worry.
As a passionate supporter and positive voice for the hospitality sector George is also heavily involved in Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s new hospitality forum, where he wants to rally support for the industry.
Looking ahead, George aims to replicate this model elsewhere in Staffordshire by opening a second restaurant - extending the positive high street impact they have already delivered in Uttoxeter.
Lowe’s on Carter Street has entered the High Street Impact, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire
Business in the Community entrant
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire isn’t just home to more than 40 household brands it has positioned itself as a hub of the local community.
This includes the introduction of The Snug, a free warm space with comfortable seats and free books for people to read and return.
There is also a free soft play area open to families seven days a week.
The centre opened as Freeport Talke in 1999, later rebranding as Affinity. It was bought by the Frasers Group in 2024 and has since strengthened its commitment to community engagement, with a specific focus on supporting local people and organisations.
Affinity hosts community days with local authorities, supports local charities and delivers a programme of free events throughout the year. Most recently a K-Pop event attracted more than 7,000 visitors who enjoyed a free live show and a meet and greet experience.
Each Christmas there is a free Santa’s grotto and a meet-and-greet experience where Santa can communicate using Makaton.
Stores at Affinity Outlet Staffordshire include M&S Outlet, Nike Clearance Store, Next Outlet, Terraces and Skechers.
An Affinity Outlet Staffordshire spokesman said: “We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had and the support we’ve been able to offer, particularly during a time when many households are facing financial challenges.
“Our goal has always been simple, to ensure our centre is a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and part of the community.”
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire has entered the Business of the Year, Business in the Community and High Street Impact categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Art UK
Business in the Community entrant
A national charity based in Stoke-on-Trent is using art to build the skills, confidence and social connections of people in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the city.
Art UK, which has its head office at University of Staffordshire, is on a mission to connect people to art, whether they are schoolchildren, scholars, teachers or tourists.
It has a free digital platform where anyone in the world can explore the wealth of the nation’s art, helping people build meaningful connections with the UK’s cultural heritage.
Art UK’s community engagement mission is to open up this national collection so that people from all walks of life can engage with art, artists and collections for learning, research, enjoyment, skills development and improved wellbeing.
Since May 2024 it has been running an in person community volunteering programme in Stoke on Trent to explore how a digital engagement tool called Tagger can bring people closer to the art around them. Tagger is a digital crowdsourcing tool that allows people to ‘tag’ artworks with descriptive words, improving the accessibility and searchability of art on the Art UK website while discovering new artists and artworks along the way.
Katey Goodwin, Deputy Chief Executive of Art UK, said: “This work has proven to be more than a digital exercise; it has become a catalyst for connection, curiosity and pride in the local area.
“Focusing on museums and public art in Stoke on Trent, participants have been able to contribute their knowledge, develop new appreciation for their city and see familiar places with fresh eyes.
“The shared activity of tagging creates opportunities for conversation, storytelling and reminiscence, which are powerful tools known to enhance memory, reduce stress and help combat depression.
“Our groups in Stoke on Trent have used Tagger as a springboard for sharing personal stories and local insights. These sessions improve communication skills, encourage gentle cognitive exercise and help participants reconnect with memories tied to place and community.
“The programme is strengthening digital skills, visual literacy and confidence in exploring and interpreting art, opening up new avenues of creative thinking and discovery.”
To date Art UK has delivered 54 in person activities across Stoke on Trent, including monthly sessions in Fegg Hayes and Stoke town, engaging 1,062 participants. It runs events in accessible community hubs such as libraries, parks and community centres to make it easy for people to take part close to home. These welcoming, informal settings help participants build friendships, meet people they might not otherwise encounter and feel part of something bigger.
It stages tag a thons, workshops, photo walks and creative challenges unite people around a common goal of improving access to Stoke on Trent’s collections and sharing local perspectives with the world.
Art UK has entered the Business in the Community (Charity) category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Brew Crew
Business in the Community nominee
More than 40 cafes across North Staffordshire have joined the Brew Crew project designed to tackle loneliness, strengthen community connection and support local businesses.
Brew Crew has been launched by not-for-profit Reaching CIC as part of its wider aim of reducing loneliness, improving confidence and building resilient communities.
Member cafes display an orange heart sticker in their window, signalling to the community that they’re a safe and welcoming space for anyone who may be feeling isolated. Customers can wear orange heart pin badges as a sign they’d appreciate a warm welcome in a Brew Crew café, or to show their support for ending loneliness.
This collaboration between the charitable sector and local businesses will provide a vital lifeline to individuals in need of connection, while also boosting footfall and revenue for cafés.
Georgina Salt, CEO of Reaching CIC, is University of Staffordshire alumna. She said: “Reaching has developed a unique ability to connect people across communities of all ages and backgrounds, grounded in the belief that human relationships have the power to transform how people feel.
“We recognise the vital role that small, welcoming hospitality spaces play in the heart of our high streets, towns and villages — places where people socially connect with others and have a safe place to be. By working together with local small businesses we’re creating a movement of people, places and compassion dedicated to tackling loneliness and bringing connection to those who need it most.”
Reaching has also launched Brew Club – regular meetups hosted in Brew Crew cafés with a dedicated volunteer, where anyone can join a table, enjoy a brew,and connect with others in a relaxed, friendly environment. Brew Club gives people the confidence to walk into a café at dedicated times knowing they’ll find conversation and companionship waiting for them.
The Brew Crew project has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Re-form Heritage
Business in the Community (Charity) nominee
A Stoke-on-Trent-based charity is transforming at-risk historic buildings for the benefit of the local and wider community.
Re-form Heritage, based at Middleport Pottery, was appointed as the Heritage Development Trust for Stoke-on-Trent in December 2023. This status is funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England to kick-start the regeneration of key heritage sites in Stoke-on-Trent.
Their past work helped save Middleport Pottery from closure, transforming it into a visitor attraction and creative centre. This was followed by the regeneration of Victorian workers’ cottages at Harper Street across the road. Plans are now advancing to transform Hanley’s Bethesda Methodist Chapel into an educational and events centre by the end of 2026.
Re-form Heritage has around 25 full-time staff and up to 50 volunteers.
It is one of 12 social enterprises and charities across the UK empowered to take over and transform at-risk high street buildings by being granted Heritage Development Status. This status will see Re-form Heritage work alongside stakeholders throughout the city to help preserve Stoke-on-Trent’s heritage.
Re-form Heritage has been nominated in the Business in the Community (Charity) category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Beat The Cold
Business in the Community (charity) nominee
A Stoke-on-Trent-based charity which aims to reduce fuel poverty and cold related ill health is helping to bring down year-on-year fuel poverty figures in the city.
Beat The Cold has more than two decades of experience in energy advice and support within Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The charity is a client-led service committed to helping those who live in, or are at risk of, fuel poverty, or whose health could be detrimentally affected by a cold home.
The charity is pioneering in how it uses health data and is striving not only to make a difference within the county but to be the blueprint for best practice in England. Key to achieving their aims is building relationships, partnerships and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to best serve those who are referred.
These partnerships include the likes of University Hospital of North Midlands Trust, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust and Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust.
The charity is commissioned by local authorities and works in partnership with health boards across the county to provide a single-point-of-contact health and housing referral service. It was also an expert witness in the development of National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) Guideline, NG6.
A team of 12 helps Beat The Cold go the extra mile to support every service user, regardless of the complexity of their situation, in an area that has the highest level of fuel poverty in the country.
The charity offers a range of services including home energy assessments, advice on managing energy bills, help with switching suppliers, accessing funding available for heating repairs and replacements, support for accessing grants and funding and providing information on energy saving measures.
Beat The Cold has been nominated in the Business in the Community (Charity) category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
NeuroTalks
Business in the Community entrant
University of Staffordshire alumna Jodie Steele has created three brands inspired by her own experiences with neurodiversity.
The 44-year-old, from Stone, graduated in Marketing in 2003 and went on to work in high-pressure sales and marketing roles for multinational businesses including five years working overseas. She has worked for newspaper groups and in both radio and television.
During the pandemic she had a neurological crash which caused problems with her vision and a loss of motor skills on the right side of her body. She also had a late diagnosis of ADHD.
Jodie has spent several years rehabilitating during which the marketeer in her realised that her own lived experience was the basis of a brand that could help other people. That brand is also now becoming an income stream for Jodie.
She founded NeuroTalks, a lived experience led training and consultancy business that supports organisations to build neuro-inclusive, high-performing and psychologically safe environments.
A growing suite of digital products have been developed including free and paid workbooks, training resources and recorded content.
Alongside Neurotalks she has developed complementary ventures Alchemy Souls Travel, an inclusive and wellbeing-led travel storytelling brand, and Aura & Ash, a sustainability-focused lifestyle brand.
All three brands are gaining increased social media interaction. Jodie has been doing paid work through her brands since November including collaborations with the likes of the RSPCA.
Jodie said: “This could have broken a lot of people but if I can use it to help other people then I think that’s a really positive thing and it motivates me to do more.”
Jodie has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered NeuroTalks into the Innovation, Skills For The Future and Business in the Community categories.
She added: “I’m a graduate of University of Staffordshire and this is not simply a historical detail; it is part of my identity as a business leader. The value of that learning, real-world relevance and community connection continue to influence how I operate today.
“I represent the kind of graduate who builds impact over time and offers sustained contribution; not a single business, but an ecosystem; not profit at the expense of people, but performance through inclusion.
“To be recognised as Alumni Business Person of the Year would not only reflect my own journey but would shine a light on the importance of neuro-inclusive leadership, wellbeing-led innovation and values-driven entrepreneurship - areas that increasingly define future work, travel and community life.”
Nelly's Nest
Business in the Community nominee
Josie Vujcic is the founder of Nelly’s Nest, author of the book Nelly’s Not Naughty and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and the inclusion of individuals with hidden disabilities.
Nelly’s Nest champions neurodiverse voices by offering services in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and across the UK. Its work includes training and development programs, community outreach and support initiatives to empower individuals, families and professionals.
Josie has a background in SEN within schools and founded Nelly’s Nest with the aim of creating inclusive spaces where neurodiverse individuals feel understood, valued and supported.
Josie leads a team of five staff, all of whom who have a background of working with neurodiverse people of all ages.
Nelly’s Nest works with schools and businesses, helping to create environments that are inclusive, understanding and supportive.
Schools are given targeted support to help staff identify, understand and meet the diverse needs of SEND pupils, promoting inclusion and confidence across the school community. Businesses receive practical, scalable training to build inclusive policies, improve team awareness and support neurodiverse employees and clients.
Nelly’s Nest can also be found at events and festivals equipped with resources, sensory tools, de-escalation equipment and trained therapeutic staff to allow events to be accessible to all.
Josie said: “I am really proud to be an advocate for inclusivity of neurodiversity. We now offer a variety of services all over Staffordshire and around the UK to support, encourage and include the neurodiverse community.
“Only through acknowledgment of diversity can we achieve inclusivity. At Nelly’s Nest we understand that individuals experience and interact with the world in diverse ways, including those with conditions like autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.
“That is why we promote and champion inclusion and acceptance of these differences as we recognise that everyone’s brain works differently and that these variations contribute to a richer, more diverse society.”
Nelly’s Nest has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
JMT
Business in the Community entrant
Fenton-based JMT set out to become more than an accountancy and business advisory firm by embedding itself into the heart of the community it serves.
Founded 15 years ago by Tomasz Putynkowski it has supported more than 170 small and medium-sized enterprises across Staffordshire.
This has often involved helping start-ups and small businesses in their journey to become established and then scale.
The business has a long-term commitment to sustained charitable involvement, educational engagement, inclusive leadership and measurable social contribution because of Tomasz’s belief that commercial success and community impact can and should go hand in hand.
He said: “What distinguishes JMT is its deliberate commitment to strengthening the wider community alongside growing its client base. Community engagement is not an occasional initiative for JMT, it is embedded in its everyday operations and leadership philosophy.”
Over the past three years the business has helped raise and donate more than £7,000 to local charities and community initiatives. JMT has organised and supported numerous fundraising events, contributed sponsorship to local causes and actively promoted charitable campaigns within the business network.
Rather than viewing charity as an obligation JMT integrates it into its culture — encouraging clients, partners and associates to participate and contribute.
Innovation has been central to JMT’s success. The business has embraced digital transformation, implementing cloud-based accounting systems and automation tools that streamline processes for clients and improve efficiency.
By moving clients onto modern accounting platforms and providing training and guidance, JMT has reduced administrative burdens, improved reporting accuracy and enabled real-time decision-making.
Tomasz added: “JMT’s performance is especially notable given the wider economic landscape in which it operates. Small businesses have faced unprecedented pressures in recent years from regulatory changes and tax reforms to economic uncertainty and rising operational costs.
“JMT has not only navigated these challenges successfully but has used them as opportunities to strengthen its client relationships. Through workshops, one-to-one advisory sessions and ongoing strategic support, the firm has helped businesses overcome obstacles, stabilise finances and plan for future growth.”
JMT has entered the Small Business of the Year and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Lichfield District City of Sanctuary
Business in the Community entrant
A Lichfield charity supported around 500 vulnerable people, predominantly asylum seekers and refugees, last year.
Lichfield District City of Sanctuary was established after a community meeting six years ago, where a small group of the city’s residents committed towards the recognition of Lichfield as a City of Sanctuary.
It’s part of the British charitable organisation City of Sanctuary that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025. It is building a movement of welcome across the UK and Ireland by coordinating and supporting networks of community groups.
Lichfield District City of Sanctuary’s aim is to make Lichfield a welcoming and supportive city that provides support and sanctuary to those that need it.
With more than 100 members and an action group of 15, the charity has increased its activities in recent years, especially since the escalation of the troubles in Ukraine. It looks to relieve the needs of refugees and asylum seekers resident in Lichfield and the surrounding areas by providing a network, services and support, and also promotes equality and diversity for the public benefit.
Lichfield District City of Sanctuary establishes and promotes activities to foster support and understanding between residents of Lichfield and the surrounding areas, including community events, campaigns, exhibitions, workshops, classes, visits and meetings.
The charity is helping to make Lichfield a city that supports newcomers, especially those who face discrimination and inclusion, and challenges visions of Lichfield that exclude any individuals and groups that live and work there.
Nigel Gann, the charity’s Executive Secretary, said: “Our original aim was very simple – to help to build a more welcoming community for people rebuilding their lives here.
“Lichfield District City of Sanctuary is comprised of so many great people who are stepping up to support people seeking sanctuary in our communities. It’s both heartening and humbling to see.
“We want to provide not only practical support, but produce an example of what a positive, welcoming place really looks like and means. I’m so proud to see the way that so many people are now genuinely welcoming, kind and how they demonstrate it. I’m also proud that the charity is giving people the opportunity to show kindness.”
Lichfield District City of Sanctuary has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Alice Charity
Business in the Community entrant
Alice Charity is a beacon of compassion, dignity and hope in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme - a community rooted organisation driven by the belief that every child deserves safety, joy and opportunity.
Its mission is shaped by profound need within Stoke on Trent which is officially one of the most deprived local authorities in England, ranked 13th out of 317.
In 2025 Alice Charity supported 9,874 children, provided 11,880 meals and welcomed 3,479 parents and toddlers to its Big Cup groups.
90% of Alice Charity’s service users report an improvement in their home conditions, reduced isolation or improvement in physical health. 95% of service users report an improvement in parenting skills, self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. 100% report am improvement in positive family interactions.
The charity’s team of 14 employees delivers care with skill, compassion and unwavering commitment. They are supported by 21 volunteers, who last year contributed 4,734 hours of their time.
Heather Sheldon, CEO of Alice Charity, said: “Alice Charity listens deeply to the children and families it serves. It adapts, evolves and innovates in ways that meet people where they are - whether that means offering evening support, expanding volunteer pathways, improving safeguarding approaches or strengthening early intervention.
“With transparent governance, strong ethical values and a culture built on dignity, kindness and respect, Alice Charity is more than a service provider - we are a lifeline.
“We keep families together, strengthen our community, lift children out of crisis, and build a brighter, safer, more hopeful future for every child.”
Alice Charity has entered the Team of the Year and Business in the Community (charity) categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.