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.
Balraj Singh Attwal
Business in the Community nominee
Balraj Singh Attwal knows his customers by name, remembers their stories, makes time for conversation and goes out of his way to help make a difference to their lives.
He has been running Lichfield Trent Valley Post Office for the past 14 years and has become known for prioritising people over profit.
He often goes beyond normal service expectations, whether that is taking extra time to help with forms, ensuring customers fully understand transactions or simply offering reassurance and kindness when someone is having a difficult day.
He goes the extra mile to ensure older customers feel safe, respected and supported. He has taken the initiative to check in on regular customers when they have not appeared as expected, recognising when something may be wrong. This has included contacting family members when concerns arise, actions taken not out of obligation but out of genuine care for people’s wellbeing.
He has made his post office a place where people feel comfortable opening up. For many, this interaction may be one of the few meaningful social connections in their day.
Balraj, known as Baj, has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by one of his regular customers.
She said: “Despite the pressures of running a business, Baj consistently prioritises people over profit. The Post Office is run with open arms, ensuring everyone feels welcome regardless of age, background or circumstance.
“Importantly, Baj’s approach embodies the very best of corporate social responsibility at a grassroots level. By fostering social connection, safeguarding vulnerable members of the community and providing a reliable, ethical service rooted in trust, Baj strengthens not just individual lives but the social fabric of the area as a whole.
“The Post Office serves as a community hub a place of safety, support and respect largely because of Baj’s values and personal leadership.
“Over the last 14 years, Baj has shown extraordinary dedication, consistency and integrity. The actions may often go unseen, but their impact is deeply felt. Customers do not just rely on Baj for services they rely on Baj as a source of stability, kindness and community care.
“Baj is richly deserving of recognition for outstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility and for the meaningful, lasting difference they continue to make every single day.”
The Staffordshire Signal CIC
Business in the Community entrant
The Staffordshire Signal CIC is a non-profit, community-led media platform built to champion Staffordshire, support local businesses, strengthen community connection and tell the stories of people, places and organisations that may otherwise be overlooked.
The Signal brings together a free print magazine, digital features, newsletters, events coverage, business visibility, community stories and developing video work through The Staffordshire Signal TV.
The model is funded by local businesses and the community it serves through advertising, sponsorship, print subscriptions, reader support, partnerships and community backing. Because The Signal is a CIC, that support is reinvested into trusted local journalism, public interest storytelling, opportunities for young people and the long-term future of Staffordshire media.
This approach gives local businesses and organisations a trusted platform to reach local audiences. It helps residents discover events, places, stories and opportunities across the county. It provides positive, useful coverage for culture, heritage, hospitality, education, business, voluntary groups and community life.
The Signal recognises that not everyone has equal access to digital journalism. Digital poverty, low income, age, isolation, lack of confidence online or limited access to devices can all disconnect people from local news and information. A free, high-quality print magazine helps people in low-income areas, older residents, digitally excluded communities and those who feel disconnected from online platforms to access journalism rooted in where they live.
Founder Jenna Goodwin, also known as The Red Haired Stokie, built a trusted regional audience through local history, writing, photography, video and community storytelling before creating The Staffordshire Signal. That trust is central to the community impact. People engage with The Signal because it feels rooted in Staffordshire.
The Staffordshire Signal TV is the next stage of that community work. The video arm will tell Staffordshire’s stories through interviews, short films, documentaries, event coverage and community-led video content. It will also create opportunities for students and young people to gain real experience in writing, research, interviewing, photography, filming and editing.
The Signal is officially supported by key organisations across Staffordshire’s civic, business and education landscape including Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, universities, councils, educational partners and place-making networks. Jenna is a We Are Staffordshire ambassador and represented Staffordshire at the House of Commons as part of a recent Staffordshire showcase.
The Staffordshire Signal CIC has entered the Skills for the Future, Business in the Community and Innovation Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall
Business in the Community entrant
ATG INSPIRE, the Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall’s community engagement programme, has been delivering the ‘0’ Dance Festival at the Regent Theatre for 25 years, creating one of the region’s largest and most inclusive platforms for community participation in the arts.
In 2026 the festival marked its 25th anniversary with 026 Dance: Rewind, a milestone event that brought together more than 1,200 performers aged three to 89 years from across Staffordshire and beyond, alongside an audience of more than 3,150 people over seven consecutive nights.
Participants represented a diverse cross-section of the community including primary and secondary schools, colleges, dance schools, adult groups and wellbeing groups supporting older adults and individuals with additional needs.
The ‘0’ Dance Festival provides a rare and accessible opportunity for community participants to perform on a large-scale professional stage, an experience that many would otherwise be unable to access due to financial or social barriers. As one group leader noted, this opportunity “simply would not be possible” for many young people in the current economic climate.
The impact of the initiative is both immediate and long-term. Participants consistently report increased confidence, a strong sense of achievement and enhanced wellbeing. The inclusive nature of the programme fosters social connection across age groups and backgrounds, strengthening community cohesion and creating a shared sense of pride in Stoke-on-Trent’s cultural identity.
The 2026 Rewind theme encouraged groups to reinterpret themes from the festival’s 25-year history, combining heritage with innovation. This approach not only celebrated the longevity of the programme but also supported creative development, enabling participants to produce original, meaningful work inspired by past experiences.
The initiative represents a long-term, embedded commitment rather than a one-off project. Since 2022 alone the festival has engaged 6,525 dancers from 291 groups and welcomed audiences of more than 12,223 people. This sustained reach demonstrates ATG INSPIRE Stoke’s strategic approach to community engagement - delivering consistent, measurable social value at scale.
The Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
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.
CabAbility
Business in the Community entrant
Ahbid Choudry set up a specialist taxi firm for people with disabilities to stop them suffering from the embarrassment he says he faced growing up.
The Shelton-based businessman has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a wheelchair himself.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Ahbid couldn’t do the things his friends and peers were doing socially because he couldn’t get a taxi to transport him in his wheelchair. There were evenings out at nightclubs like The Place and Valentinos where he simply couldn’t get home.
It was this experience and his dogged determination to make a difference to those in the same boat as himself that led to the creation of CabAbility in 2016.
Starting with just two jobs in the first year of trading the company has grown considerably. Over the past decade it has become a trusted, inclusive transport service employing around 50 staff and serving a wide range of customers who rely on accessible, reliable travel.
Ahbid, who comes from a family of taxi owners, said: “From the beginning the aim was not only to provide wheelchair-accessible taxi services, but to build a company that actively represented and empowered disabled people. That mission remains central today.
“Being a disability proud employer is not a label we use lightly; it reflects a genuine commitment to creating a workplace where disabled employees are valued, supported and given equal opportunity to progress. This includes ensuring that recruitment processes are accessible, that reasonable adjustments are readily available and that staff are supported in ways that allow them to perform at their best without unnecessary barriers.
“The culture of the company is shaped by the belief that lived experience matters. Many of our team members either have personal experience of disability or have worked closely within the accessible transport sector for years. This creates a workforce that understands the importance of dignity, patience and respect when supporting passengers.
“For many customers, especially wheelchair users and individuals with additional mobility needs, transport is not simply about getting from one place to another - it is about independence, confidence and inclusion in everyday life. Our team understands that responsibility deeply.”
All of the company’s drivers are trained in how to strap different wheelchairs in safely and correctly which is essential when some wheelchairs can be as heavy as twenty stone. Drivers also have British Sign Language, autism and seizure training.
Ahbid left school before taking any qualifications and started selling windows before working in sales for Vodafone. He credits this sales background and his own personal experience as the reasons for the company’s success.
CabAbility has entered the Small Business of the Year, Team of the Year and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Ahbid Choudry has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Smithfield Works
Business in the Community entrant
Smithfield Works in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre is both a business in itself and a community that entrepreneurs and start-up business owners call home.
It aims to provide a relaxed but vibrant environment with premium facilities suitable for businesses of varied sectors and at all stages in their development.
International companies take advantage of medium to large office suites and creative organisations - such as Stoke Creates and Centre Space Arts - are free to host events and connect with others across two sites.
A flexible tenancy offer works for young businesses looking to grow and expand, while larger firms such as Ticketmaster Sport and Harrison Drury can occupy bigger spaces. Zoom booths, meeting rooms and free refreshments are available throughout the day.
Community Manager Adele Simmons prides herself on offering an efficient service to all tenants, regardless of their size and scale.
A pro-active approach has led to multiple business networking events taking place at Smithfield Works, whilst a year-long community programme takes place in the estate’s public space.
Community events at Smithfield Works have seen hundreds of local residents attend free family events, where free meals have also been provided.
A close relationship with entertainment arts programmes such as Appetite has resulted in visitors experiencing live music, dancing and theatrical-style programmes.
For 2026 a collaboration between Smithfield Works, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub and PR firm BabaBaboon saw the launch of a new competition, The Business Elevator.
This competition is open to businesses up to three years old. Prizes include 12 months of hot desk space at Smithfield Works, start-up membership of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, PR support from BabaBaboon, a new mobile phone device from Complete Communications and 400 business cards plus branding support. A celebration evening will take place in June for finalists.
Since opening its doors in 2022 Smithfield Works has created long-term relationships with both present and past tenants.
Adele has seen start-up businesses thrive and expand their teams at Smithfield Works. Digital recruitment firm Purple Digital, one of the first tenants as a start-up company, has gone from using hot desk space to having its own dedicated Gold desk facility as the business continues to grow.
Smithfield Works has entered the High Street Impact and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Clare Clohesy
Business in the Community nominee
In her role as a Community Engagement Practitioner for Stoke-on-Trent College Clare Clohesy is responsible for delivering high-quality, flexible learning opportunities within local communities.
She supports adults to develop skills for work, confidence, wellbeing and progression, while building partnerships and expanding the college’s reach.
She has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by colleagues at the college who say she has far exceeded the expectations of her role.
Her nominator said: “Clare’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the communities she serves across Stoke-on-Trent. She does not deliver off-the-shelf sessions; instead, she invests time in understanding the unique needs, barriers and aspirations of each group, adapting her provision to create truly bespoke, learner-centred experiences.
“This responsiveness has enabled her to engage some of the most hard-to-reach individuals, many of whom face complex social, emotional or economic challenges.
“Her dedication extends well beyond her contracted role. While her role is contractually delivered 9–5, Clare routinely gives her own time, often moving sessions to evenings and weekends to meet the needs of learners and maximise engagement.
“She has also created and personally funded a prize box, which she uses to boost enthusiasm and engagement where necessary.”
Clare is tasked with attending many community events, and while many stands rely on literature and sign-up sheets, hers stands out. She brings activities such as balloon modelling or cake decorating to engage children, allowing her to have meaningful conversations with parents.
Even though her role is focused on supporting life skills, she goes above and beyond to support families in accessing wider services. This includes helping parents secure SEN provision for their children and supporting vulnerable individuals to access counselling and medical support. She is also a trusted listener, someone people turn to when challenges feel overwhelming.
In just over a year Clare has engaged with more than 60 veterans and hundreds of families across the city, leaving a lasting legacy of increased confidence, skills and community connection.
Play@ Lower Drayton Farm
Business in the Community entrant
At PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm community is not an add-on to the business, it is central to everything the team does.
As a family-run farming business rooted in Staffordshire for generations, the owners understand the importance of supporting the people, organisations and communities around them. Their approach to corporate social responsibility is shaped by the belief that if their business is successful it should create positive impact far beyond the farm gates.
Over the past five years PLAY@ has grown from a diversification project into one of Staffordshire’s leading visitor attractions, welcoming around 130,000 visitors annually and employing approximately 70 staff. While the business has grown significantly the focus has remained firmly on community engagement, education, opportunity and sustainability.
One of the most important ways the business supports the community is through education. As farmers, the family believe it is vital that young people understand where food comes from, how farming supports the environment and the role agriculture plays in everyday life. Each year they welcome thousands of children onto the farm through school visits, home education sessions and outreach activities, providing hands-on learning experiences linked directly to STEM education, sustainability and food production.
These sessions allow children to engage with farming in a meaningful and memorable way whether that is meeting livestock, planting crops, harvesting vegetables or learning about renewable energy and regenerative farming practices. For many children, particularly those from urban backgrounds, these experiences provide their first real connection to farming and the countryside.
Beyond structured education, seasonal events are designed to strengthen community engagement. Events such as Lambs & Ewe, Harvest Hoedown, Sowing Season and PYO Pumpkins bring families together while helping visitors connect with rural life and the farming calendar.
The team work hard to ensure these experiences are inclusive and accessible. A dedicated home education programme provides opportunities for children who may benefit from alternative learning environments, while quieter sessions and flexible approaches help ensure visitors with additional needs feel welcome and supported.
Play@ Lower Drayton Farm, in Penkridge, has raised more than £10,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital through fundraising activities, events and awareness campaigns. It hosts a free Christmas event for families connected to the charity, using its facilities to create positive experiences for children facing difficult circumstances. The business regularly supports local schools, charities and community organisations through donations, fundraising support, raffle prizes and event partnerships.
Play@ Lower Drayton Farm has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards
Port Vale Foundation
Business in the Community entrant
Port Vale Foundation’s community work in Stoke-on-Trent and the wider region is at the very heart of the club’s identity and purpose.
Community work isn’t a nice to have for the Port Vale FC family, it is the bedrock on which everything else is built. Visit the club and that sense of family and community is palpable.
Over the last season, the club’s 150th anniversary year, the Foundation engaged with 5,927 people in a range of projects spanning community cohesion, education and wellbeing. 91% said their lives have been changed in a positive way as a result including improvements to their physical activity, mental wellbeing and personal development.
Despite operating in an area facing significant social challenges Port Vale Foundation has consistently delivered measurable, life-changing impact and proved the power of a football club to act as a catalyst for lasting social change.
Projects include Every Girl Does Count, which champions girls and young women across Stoke on Trent. Many young women in Stoke-on-Trent face limited opportunities, low confidence and a lack of safe, inspiring spaces to grow. Designed for ages 12 to 19, the project responds directly to local need and has had a positive impact.
Forget Me Knot FC was set up to give dads who have lost a child a place to connect The project was featured on ITV’s This Morning and received thousands of messages of support.
At the start of 2025 Port Vale FC Foundation launched a partnership with a local alternative provision to create a wrap around programme for young people permanently excluded from mainstream education. Designed as an 18 week curriculum rooted in real world learning, the project brings learners directly into the heart of the football club and offers hands on experience across media, the academy, grounds, security and Foundation departments. This immersive model gives students a tangible understanding of the many careers within a professional sports environment while reinforcing behaviour expectations and personal development.
32 young people with complex needs have taken part, with an impressive 90% attendance rate. The programme’s impact has been remarkable: 67% of participants have successfully transitioned back into mainstream education, the highest reintegration rate in the West Midlands. Several learners have also progressed into paid matchday roles, gaining employment through their community club and building confidence, stability and purpose.
The success of the initiative has led to collaboration with three additional schools, expanding its reach and ensuring long term sustainability. This project demonstrates how a football club can drive meaningful social change using its environment, expertise and identity to transform the futures of local young people.
Port Vale Foundation has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
6 Towns Radio
Business in the Community nomination
As a volunteer-run community radio station, 6 Towns Radio has grown from a passionate local project into a respected platform that informs, connects and celebrates communities across Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the wider county.
The station has become a vital platform for charities, community groups, arts organisations and grassroots campaigns, helping them reach new audiences and raise awareness of the important work they do.
Whether promoting local support services, highlighting community projects or sharing stories that matter to local residents, 6 Towns Radio consistently demonstrates its commitment to social impact and community wellbeing.
The station provides opportunities for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to develop valuable skills in broadcasting, media production, marketing, interviewing, event management and content creation. For many it can be a first step into employment, further education or a new career path. For others, it offers a chance to build confidence, make connections and become part of a supportive community.
Beyond the studio, 6 Towns Radio is deeply embedded within the communities it serves. Its volunteer team can regularly be found at events, festivals, charity fundraisers, community celebrations and cultural activities. Through live broadcasts, interviews and coverage, the station shines a spotlight on local people, organisations and initiatives that might otherwise go unheard.
The organisation invests heavily in the next generation through workshops, training sessions and hands on experiences that introduce young people to broadcasting and media careers. These opportunities provide practical skills, inspire ambition and help young people see pathways into industries that may otherwise feel inaccessible.
A particular strength of the station is its support for grassroots music and emerging talent. Through dedicated programming, live sessions, event partnerships and opportunities for local artists to perform and be interviewed, 6 Towns Radio has played a significant role in nurturing Staffordshire’s creative sector. Many local musicians have received their first radio airplay or public exposure through the station, helping to build confidence, audiences and opportunities.
6 Towns Radio has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by Charl Pearce, BID Manager at Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District.
She said: “6 Towns Radio is a truly community led organisation that embodies the spirit of Staffordshire. At the heart of 6 Towns Radio is its commitment to people. The station’s welcoming and inclusive approach ensures that anyone with an interest and enthusiasm can get involved, learn new skills and make a meaningful contribution.
“What makes 6 Towns Radio particularly deserving of recognition is that all of this is achieved through the dedication of volunteers who give their time to strengthen their communities. The station creates opportunities, develops skills, supports wellbeing, celebrates local culture and amplifies voices that deserve to be heard.
“Through its commitment to volunteering, education, inclusion and community engagement, 6 Towns Radio continues to make a lasting and measurable difference to people’s lives across Staffordshire, demonstrating exactly what it means to be a business at the heart of its community.”
PH Production services
Business on the Community nominee
PH Production Services is an international production company that delivers large scale events, conferences and associated services as well as design, production, operation and management of theatrical performances, live shows, music, outdoor events, exhibitions, community and spiritual festivals.
Based in Stoke-on-Trent, PHPS leverages the skills, experience and knowledge gained through the commercial side of the business and ensures their local work benefits and catalyses grassroots activation across the local community and high street.
Through an eco-system of connected groups, initiatives, collaborations, partnerships and innovations, PHPS leaves few stones unturned to provide new opportunities for people and businesses, create vibrant activation for high streets and communities and develop exciting partnerships with businesses to network and connect.
It also offers crucial work and experiences for young people, musicians and artists to find and build their next career steps.
With a deep commitment to be a supporter and partner to creative and community organisations in the city, PHPS has played a significant role in local high streets over the last 12 months as part of the centenary celebrations. It has been the catalyst for festivals, events and live music instrumental in helping halt decline and develop renewal in the high street.
Celebrating nearly 25 years in business, PHPS was founded by Pete Herbert in 2001 after a 15 year career in technical production in the theatre and entertainment sector.
Now employing 11 full time staff, PHPS is a team of talented and technical experts focussed on delivering commercial projects and filling the gaps for community events, festivals, awards and performances that attract local residents and visitors to the high street.
With a strong desire to raise the profile of the city and its high streets, PHPS has created a range of events and initiatives that are building skills, jobs and commercial opportunities within the entertainment, technical and third sectors.
These include PH in the Community to champion emerging artists;,Honey Box which is a monthly live stream broadcast to help emerging artists access new audiences and the Connects Network which provides informal, cross sector business networking in the heart of the city centre and high street from Smithfield Works. These monthly networking events regularly attract more than 20 businesses who support each other, creating a positive impact for local economy, confidence and jobs.
PHPS runs the Staffordshire & Cheshire Music Awards which are having a direct and positive impact on the long-term cultural infrastructure of the city by spotlighting talent, providing opportunities and inviting industry professionals to witness the rising profile of Stoke-on-Trent as a whole.
PH production Services has been nominated for the High Street Impact and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Pinc College
Business in the Community entrant
Traditional educational environments can fail to meet the needs of neurodivergent young people. Rather than attempting to retrofit existing systems, Pinc College has built an innovative model, one that integrates specialist education with the UK’s rich cultural and heritage infrastructure.
Pinc College is an independent specialist college supporting neurodivergent 16 to 24-year-olds through highly personalised, project-based study programmes. Pinc’s campuses are all placed within cultural, artistic and heritage settings, transforming these spaces into inclusive learning environments.
Over the past decade, Pinc has refined a methodology that combines creative curricula, individualised support and inspiring environments. With 19 campuses across England and Wales, located in galleries, museums, woodlands and historic sites, Pinc has demonstrated that place-based learning can unlock engagement and progression for students who have often been excluded from mainstream education.
In Staffordshire, this innovation is being realised through the adaptive reuse of significant heritage buildings in the area. Pinc College’s existing campus at Middleport Pottery demonstrates how historic industrial spaces can be reimagined as dynamic centres of learning. The character of the building provides inspiration and a sense of identity, allowing students to connect with place, history and creativity in a way that conventional classrooms cannot replicate.
Building on this success, Pinc College is making the short but exciting move into new premises at the iconic 200-year-old Bethesda Chapel in Hanley. This move represents a step-change in how heritage assets can be activated for contemporary social impact.
The redevelopment of Bethesda Chapel demonstrates how culturally significant spaces can be sensitively repurposed to meet urgent societal needs. In this case, improving educational outcomes for neurodivergent young people. This approach not only safeguards the building’s future but enhances its relevance to the community.
Pinc has created a unique model that connects further education with cultural institutions and heritage sites. By situating learning within these spaces, students gain access to enriching environments that stimulate creativity and curiosity. At the same time, cultural organisations benefit from increased accessibility and engagement with new audiences. This mutually beneficial relationship represents a new paradigm for cross-sector collaboration.
Unlike traditional education providers that adapt existing systems, Pinc’s model is intentionally designed around the needs of neurodivergent learners. Every student follows an Individual Learning Plan tailored to their strengths, interests and aspirations. Their curriculum focuses on the Arts, and in particular level 2 and 3 Art & Design Diplomas, Functional Skills, and developing Maths and English. Programmes are project-based, enabling students to explore topics they are passionate about while developing transferable skills.
The physical environment plays a crucial role. Spaces are chosen and adapted to reduce barriers, foster wellbeing and encourage self-expression.
Pinc’s approach improves attendance as well as grades and all their students progress into supported internships, employment, further or higher education or other positive destinations.
Rachel Newman, Chief Impact and Compliance Officer for Pinc College, said: “Ultimately, Pinc College’s work in Staffordshire exemplifies innovation that is both practical and transformative. Innovation does not always require new construction or technology; sometimes it lies in seeing existing assets differently and unlocking their potential for new purposes.
“The redevelopment of Bethesda Chapel is more than a building project, it is a statement about the future of education, inclusion and community.
“Pinc College is not just delivering education, it is reshaping systems, redefining spaces and creating opportunities where they did not previously exist. This is innovation with lasting impact, both for individuals and for the communities they are part of.”
Pinc College has entered the Innovation Award and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Wavemaker Stoke CIC
Business in the Community entrant
Wavemaker Stoke CIC was set up to bridge the digital divide and ensure that people across Stoke-on-Trent are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
Since 2015 it has worked at the intersection of community, technology, education and social impact, helping residents gain the digital access, confidence and skills they need for everyday life, employment, health, wellbeing and future opportunity.
The CIC was set up by co-founders and directors Alex Rowley, who was born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent, and University of Staffordshire alumni Ben McManus.
Over the last two years, through the UKSPF-funded DigitAll programme, Wavemaker has delivered a city-wide digital inclusion model across Stoke-on-Trent, designed to reach people who are often furthest from opportunity.
This has included economically inactive residents, job seekers, older adults, people experiencing social isolation, families, school pupils, community volunteers and those facing barriers linked to poverty, confidence, health, disability or lack of access to technology.
Wavemaker has built a strong local delivery ecosystem, working with 45 partner organisations and establishing 20 hyper-local digital hubs across community settings such as foodbanks, family hubs, employment centres and trusted local venues.
These hubs bring support into the places people already know and trust, rather than expecting residents to find their way into formal training environments. This approach has helped create a welcoming, accessible and community-led model of support.
In the last two years Wavemaker has distributed 571 laptops to economically inactive residents, delivered 408 face-to-face digital skills sessions and trained 2,298 adults. Each laptop, session and learner represents someone gaining the ability to apply for work, manage appointments, access services, stay connected, learn new skills or take greater control of their life.
Wavemaker CIC has entered the Skills for the Future, Team of the Year, Innovation, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Currie Young
Business in the Community entrant
Currie Young Insolvency & Restructuring is redefining what innovation looks like within a traditionally conservative professional services sector, helped by a collaboration with University of Staffordshire.
The business has offices in Manchester, Lichfield and Halesowen alongside its head office in Campbell Road, Stoke.
Operating within the advisory, restructuring and business support environment, it recognised early that the profession was facing increasing operational pressures. Rising regulatory demands, growing client expectations, recruitment challenges and significant administrative burden were placing strain on traditional operating models, many of which still relied heavily on manual processes and legacy systems.
At the same time, businesses increasingly expected professional advisors to be more responsive, commercially agile and technologically capable, without losing the reassurance and expertise that come from experienced human advisors.
Rather than viewing innovation as a standalone technology exercise, Currie Young approached it as a long-term business strategy focused on modernising service delivery, improving operational efficiency, scalability and future-proofing the business for sustainable growth.
Central to this journey has been a collaborative relationship with University of Staffordshire through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, enabling the business to combine industry expertise with academic research, digital capability and innovation-led thinking in a way that remains relatively uncommon within the wider professional services sector.
Currie Young wanted to address the genuine operational challenge of highly skilled professionals spending disproportionate amounts of time on repetitive administration, duplicated data entry and fragmented information gathering, reducing efficiency and the time available for strategic advisory work and client relationships.
Through analysing internal workflows and operational bottlenecks, it identified onboarding and information capture as one of the most resource-intensive stages within the client engagement process. Historically, the collection, organisation and processing of information had remained largely manual despite growing demands for speed, accuracy and transparency.
Working collaboratively with the University, it developed a bespoke digital First Day Information onboarding and information management system designed around the practical realities of complex professional service workflows.
The resulting platform automates aspects of document collection, workflow preparation and data structuring, creating a more streamlined and scalable operational model while improving collaboration and responsiveness across the business.
The impact of the innovation has already been significant. By modernising onboarding and workflow processes, Currie Young has materially reduced administrative burden, improved consistency across case handling and enhanced operational responsiveness. Teams are able to access and process information more efficiently, collaborate more effectively and dedicate greater time to strategic and advisory work.
Currie Young Insolvency & Restructuring has entered the Innovation, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
AMB Insurance Services
Business in the Community entrant
Wolstanton-based AMB Insurance Services Ltd is the largest independent chartered broker in Staffordshire. It supports SMEs and mid corporate clients across the Midlands.
The name ‘AMB’ comes from the initials of the Managing Director, Andrew Mark Barrow, who set up the company in 1998.
Over the past five years the business has grown significantly through a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions and client retention driven by quality advice.
It has set out to challenge a long-standing norm in its sector that insurance is transactional. Instead it has developed an advice-led model that integrates insurance into wider business decision-making. This includes detailed risk diagnostics for every client, identification of uninsured or poorly understood exposures, alignment of insurance with contracts, operations and growth plans plus proactive support before claims occur.
The company prides itself on giving back to the communities within which is based, with a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility running through everything it does. ‘Strong communities create strong businesses’ is one of the company’s mantras.
Every member of staff is encouraged to get actively involved with good causes whether that is through fundraising, volunteering or becoming a trustee. The Managing Director puts his money where his mouth is by serving as a trustee of The Peter Pan Centre.
Last Christmas all staff donated the value of the Christmas meal they were gifted by the company so that it could be given to charity.
Recent community work has included raising £25,000 for the Peter Pan Centre, supporting children with developmental needs across North Staffordshire, generating £10,000 through the Aviva Community Fund for Alice Charities Big Cup to enable expanded support for families and carers and donating £3,000 to Alice Charity, Gingerbread and the Peter Pan Centre through its Christmas giving initiative, where the company redirected client gifting budgets to those in need.
Andrew Barrow said: “The culture is very much the driver of the business at AMB. Relationships are everything, whether that’s staff, customers or clients.”
AMB Insurance Services has entered the Small Business of the Year and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.