Business in the Community Award

 

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.

Newcastle Town Football Club

Business in the Community entrant

Alongside its Men’s and Women’s first teams Newcastle Town Football Club has 52 teams for young people and works with up to 1,000 five to 18-year-olds.
The club also offers volunteering opportunities for more than 100 people is sports coaching and helping behind the scenes.
Chairman Gavin Appleby said: “Newcastle Town Football Club has organised and run associated football formally since early 2000, with origins in youth football continuing further back than this.
“We have seen a meteoric rise in the numbers of people playing organised football at the club and have 52 boys and girls teams playing as well as the many other children taking part in our soccer schools, holiday camps, disability and girls sessions. The teams play across a number of leagues across two days, some across the Midlands.
“The club’s football development for juniors has been conducted in many initiatives over the years, however since 2000 it has mainly been around the running of junior teams in the local leagues.
“We have run a successful Soccer School for 25 years on a Saturday morning which encourages boys and girls from ages five to 18 to play football, regardless of ability or previous football background. The scheme runs on a pay as you play basis rather than a subscription model which helps and supports players to engage.”
The club has a main stadium pitch and a 20-acre Roe Lane site with 3G pitch that was officially opened by former Stoke City player Andy Wilkinson in 2023.
The club is set to take on The Whammy site in the Knutton area of Newcastle in summer 2025 and hopes to be able to help raise aspirations and social outcomes in the area.
“We really want to make an impact in Knutton,” said Gavin. “We work with all members of the community including people from all backgrounds, races and religions.”
He added: “We work with a number of local businesses including some that use our facilities for training. We’re an amateur community sports club where any money that comes in is spent on facilities and the things we can offer young people. We are always looking for new businesses to work with us.”
Newcastle Town Football Club has entered the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

JAGS Dance Academy

Business in the Community nominee

A Staffordshire dance school has been praised for boosting its pupils’ confidence and aspirations alongside their dancing skills.
Bradwell-based JAGS Dance Academy has been operating since 2015. It employs eight members of staff and works with more than 320 students.
Founder and owner Jessica Preston started JAGS when she was 21 years old. Fascinated by all forms of dance since she was three years old, she knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue dance full-time.
She said: “I’d noticed there were no street dance classes locally, so it was always something I wanted to set up. We rented out the local church with 12 students with the aim of growing. It’s safe to say that over the years we’ve done just that.”
“JAGS isn’t really about dance; it’s about bringing a community together and giving these children a sense of belonging. We are open to everybody.”
Martyn Irvine, whose two daughters both attend JAGS dance classes, said: “The classes have changed both of my daughters’ lives. As a result of the lockdowns, my youngest daughter was inherently shy and wouldn’t muster a conversation with anyone.
“With Jess’s guidance, she is now performing on stage in front of over 400 people and competing in dance competitions all over the country.”
JAGS Dance Academy has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

Kath Mullock Home Care

Business in the Community nominee

The founder of Kath Mullock Home Care has been called ‘a true Stoke-on-Trent carer hero’ by one of her home care clients.
Kath Mullock, from Northwood, set up her business in 2010 and now leads a team of 20 carers working across Stoke-on-Trent.
Her Smallthorne-based team offers a wide range of support including palliative care, dementia care, companionship and more.
Kath said: “I don’t want to hide behind what we do. With my name on the door, I hold myself accountable for everything.”
One staff member, Sade, said: “I never knew the value of home care until I became a carer myself. Kath goes above and beyond for all her clients, no matter what their needs.
“To her clients she’s a friend, a family member, a voice and often someone who just listens. Kath is a hero with an invisible cape.”
The sentiment is echoed by Rachel, one of Kath’s clients, who said: “I know I speak for all of Kath’s clients when I say she is an amazing lady. Although she doesn’t think what she does is extraordinary, we all do.”
Other clients, Derek and Margaret, added: “Kath shows love and kindness to everyone. We thank her for coming into our lives.”
Client Sarah said: “I see the daily work of Kath and her staff and I know our city has angels. Although she owns the business Kath is a hands-on practitioner leading her team by example.
“Her commitment isn’t measured in hours, days or money but in the countless unassigned periods she gives freely. Without exception her staff respect and adopt the inclusive practices known as ‘Kath’s Way’. All of this is a testament to a true Stoke-on-Trent carer hero.”
Kath Mullock Home Care has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

Football Fun Factory

Business in the Community nominee

The Football Fun Factory may look like a sports coaching organisation but what founder Tom Johnson is really trying to do is give young people life skills.
The 30-year-old, from Stafford, combines being director and head coach of The Football Fun Factory with working as a high school PE teacher.
He and his team work with children aged 18 months to 12 years at venues across Stafford and Cannock, using the medium of football coaching to build soft skills such as working within a team, making friends and resilience.
One parent, Kate Henderson, said: “I perhaps needed this outlet more than my son – moving from Birmingham to Stafford, not knowing anyone, with an only child that craved interaction, with a mother that craved the opposite.
“Tom not only taught my son teamwork, listening, dedication, friendship etc but he also taught me, someone who has at least 10 years on him, perspective and valuable interaction skills.
“I cannot promote Tom enough, from his passion, expertise and the things that can’t be taught; patience, empathy and awesomeness. If my son is ever blessed with an ounce of whatever Tom has, well, what a great human my son will become.”
Tom said: “It’s absolutely wonderful and the kind words are worth their weight in gold. What Kate says underpins all of the values that I’m about. I want to make a real difference to both the children and the parents that support them.
“I’ve always been inspired to work with children, right from when I was young myself. To have been given this nomination makes all the work worthwhile. I’m super grateful.”
Tom’s ambition is to take The Football Fun Factory nationwide.
He added: “I’ve always said, life skills over football skills. Football is the medium of the work we do, but really, it’s about getting children developing physically, socially and for them to acknowledge and use the skills which will prove useful when they go into high school and beyond.
“I want to give the children a purpose and a safe place to learn. It’s important for young people to have adult role models and here we can start to begin to build up that trust and confidence.
“We are in the business of forging relationships. That has spilled over to the parents who have become a community within themselves, making friends and feeling very much a part of what we do.”
“I’d like to get us expanded nationwide, so children can access the services we provide without having to travel too far. No child should have to travel to access a service which could make such a difference.”
The Football Fun Factory has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

Kidsgrove Ski Centre

Business in the Community nominee

Kidsgrove Ski Centre is run by a team of 65 unpaid volunteers ranging from 15 to 93 years old.
The centre, also known as North Staffs Ski Club, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and has been branded one of the best facilities of its kind in the country.
Some volunteers juggle their hours at the ski slope with holding down full-time jobs, some volunteers are retired and some young instructors volunteer alongside studying at school or college.
All profits are reinvested into enhancing the facilities including improvements to the ski slopes.
Sarah Eccleston said: “North Staffs Ski Club is situated in the heart of Kidsgrove and offers volunteer-led skills lessons, recreational ski opportunities and instructor training for young people across the county.
“From reception to boot room, cafe to inspirational ski instructors, all of these volunteers give up their precious family time to bring what is often seen as an elite middle-class sport to grassroots level for the young people of Staffordshire.
“Many people volunteer every weekend and evenings in the week including under-16s who help to coach young children. It’s a complete inspiration.”
Ann Loton, chair of the group and a member since 2003, said: “We do it because we all love skiing and being part of the community that we’ve created.
“We like to see people develop, but more importantly we like to see smiles on people’s faces. Some people had not been skiing for more than 20 years but when they come here they say how amazing their experience was when returning to the slope, that’s the reason we do what we do.”
The ski centre offers ski lessons for people aged six years and above. There are two slopes, one for teaching and the other for freestyle. They also organise residential trips overseas.
Every September the centre offers free give-it-a-go sessions to anyone with an interest in skiing.
A Daily Telegraph article in 2002 named the centre as ‘one of the best indoor slopes in the country’.
Ann added: “In 2014, we were able to purchase land to expand our offer and to create a second slope. This meant we were able to offer more in terms of freestyle.
“We’ve got young instructors who are enthusiastic about coaching, which means when we retire. These young instructors will often be the ones who would likely lead this centre in the future.
“We are where we are because we have people that really care about skiing and they are supporting those who want to get into the sport.”
Kidsgrove Ski Centre has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

One Bomb Boxing Gym

Business in the Community nomination

What began as a boxing training venue in founder Michael Giblin’s garden has turned into a not-for-profit gym working with people of all ages including disabled children.
One Bomb Boxing Gym, now based in Longton, still trains fighters but Michael, himself a former boxer, now works with anyone from the age of four years upwards.
He prides himself on One Bomb’s inclusivity including working with young people with learning difficulties, ADHD or autism.
One young person with autism trained as a boxer and has now become a coach at the gym.
Rebecca Aldersea, the mum of a disabled girl who trains with Michael, said: “They help so many children and young adults in so many ways. They hold fundraising events to help children succeed in life. They travel all over providing a place to train and make friendships, giving children less fortunate an opportunity to travel and train. All of this is done through fundraising events.
“My daughter has many health issues and I am so thankful I chose One Bomb for her as she feels right at home and she loves it.
“All of the coaches and staff are fantastic. Nothing is too much for them and they really help build confidence in these children and young adults.”
Michael, from Blurton, combines his work at One Bomb with being carer for his wife.
He said: “We do things out of the goodness of our heart and not for any sort of recognition.”
One Bomb Boxing Gym has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

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