Published: Monday, 7th July 2025
A major listening exercise is being launched to establish what more needs to be done to ensure everybody feels safe and welcome in Stoke-on-Trent.
The One Stoke-on-Trent campaign was launched in February on the back of the public disorder in August 2024, which saw hundreds of protestors and counter-protestors descend on the city centre.
Backed by £600,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Community Recovery Fund, the campaign aims to bring communities together from across Stoke-on-Trent. It involves leaders from across the city council, emergency services, schools and colleges, football clubs and faith and voluntary organisations.
As part of the year-long campaign, a major listening exercise is now being launched to help build a deeper understanding of what brings communities together, what challenges they face and what they want to see for the future.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We want everybody to feel safe in our city, and this extremely important piece of work will help us to understand what more needs to be done to ensure everybody feels welcome and can thrive.
“It is essential that we talk to a diverse range of organisations, individuals and stakeholders who live and work in the city. It is our job to listen to them, ask those uncomfortable questions and recognise the contribution they are making to our local communities. This will help us to develop a new community cohesion strategy for the city.”
Cllr Ashworth added: “I’d like to thank all of the stakeholders, board members and community groups who have engaged with us so far. Your support and guidance are extremely valuable and I am looking forward to continuing to work with you throughout the campaign.”
Between now and September 2025, Protection Approaches – a charity with expertise in community resilience, inclusion and social cohesion – will be engaging with residents across Stoke-on-Trent, through public events, market stalls, sports events, community activities, interviews and targeted sessions with groups focused on issues such as diversity, disability, health and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
It will also involve a series of free community builder workshops, in collaboration with VAST, which will give participants the chance to discuss the challenges facing their communities and what is already working well.
The workshops are designed for people who care about making Stoke-on-Trent a more connected and inclusive place to live. They will look at the forces that drive communities apart and lead to people feeling isolated, left out, or targeted.
They will also look at how to break down barriers between communities in a way that benefits everyone, and how to work with different groups in a meaningful and valuable way.
The first two workshops are taking place on:
- Thursday 31 July, between 10am and 4pm, at The Dudson Centre, Hanley
- Thursday 14 August, between 10 and 4pm, at Gladstone Pottery Museum, Longton
Andy Fearn, co-executive director at Protection Approaches, said: “This is about hearing from people across Stoke-on-Trent about what matters to them and what they want for the city. Through conversations in communities, workplaces and public spaces, we’re working to understand the ideas, strengths and connections that can help build a more inclusive and united Stoke-on-Trent for the future.
“If you see us out and about, come and say hello – we’re really looking forward to listening and learning from as many people as possible.”
Anyone who would like to take part in one of the community builder workshops should email education@protectionapproaches.org.
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