News
We are constantly holding events and workshops with the young people of Stoke-on-Trent, have a look at some of the ones we've done recently, as well as other exciting updates, below!
DIAMOND FARMS WORK EXPERIENCE
02/05/2025
Hands-on experience at Diamond Farms!
Our YES candidates recently got stuck in during a few days of work experience at Diamond Farms
From learning about animal care and farming to getting hands-on with daily tasks, it was an amazing opportunity to build confidence, develop practical skills, and explore future career patheways in a real working environment!
A huge thank you to everyone at Diamond Farms for welcoming our young people and giving them an experience to remember!
DIGITAL DESIGN WORKSHOP
01/05/2025
We spent a fantastic two days with Carse and Waterman where we learned all about digital art and costume design - and we had a great time!!
We got insight into character design and how we can take inspirations from lots of sources in our own creations. We even had the chance to use industry standard software to create fun and imaginative outfits!
Thank you to Carse and Waterman for having us!
INSPIRED FILM WORKSHOP
23/04/2025
A massive thank you to Inspired Film for coming in and giving us an introduction to film production!
We learned lots of useful tips and are ready to get started on lot of projects for the Lovestoke100 film project!
YES DEVELOPMENT DAY
15/04/2025
Our fantastic job coaches came together for the YES Development Day - a chance to pause, reflect, and plan for the future
We looked back on the first year of the project, the young people we’ve supported and the challenges we’ve overcome. It was also a time to share ideas, learn from each other, and think big about where we go next
It was amazing to see so much energy, passion and commitment in one room and we look forward to another year of saying YES to success, growth and opportunity!
NEW AVENGERS
02/04/2025
Avengers, Assemble
For years people from across Stoke-on-Trent have stepped up, made an impact and changed the world. Now a new generation is ready to answer the call to action!
We're looking for the city's New Avengers - the young people who are making a difference. Whether they're leading projects, supporting others, creatives or overcoming challengers, we want to hear their stories and honour them by immortalising them in comic form!
Do you know someone aged 10-25 who deserves recognition? Nominate them today tr.ee/K9clPg
GENIUS WITHIN
20/03/2025
We've had the pleasure of working with Genius WIthin this week!
They have been helping show us how to unlock our talents while appreciating how and celebrating how our difference and diversity help add to the wonders of being alive!
THE LOVE STOKE 100 FILM FESTIVAL
21/03/2025
We recently visited our friends at Carse and Waterman to learn more about their new exciting project for the Stoke-on-Trent centenary; The Love Stoke 100 Film Festival
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The project is as simple as it is exciting; short films about why we love Stoke-on-Trent. Easy! We're already working to brainstorm all the great things about our city
FANCY A CHAT?
19/03/2025
We're always here to lend a friendly ear
The future can feel uncertain, but you don’t have to face it alone. If you're feeling nervous or unsure, your YES job coach is ready to listen and support you
CONGRATULATIONS ADAM
13/03/2025
We want to take a moment to say a massive well done to Adam for winning the Courageous Spirit Award from Caudwell Children, as part of their Shaping Futures Programme! This honour embodies everything that the programme stands for - resilience, determination and the courage to chase your dreams!
Never backing down from a challenge he never backed down and constantly worked hard to turn his goals into reality. Adam has taken his first steps on an exciting new journey: starting college to become a translator!
Congratulations Adam, your determination, passion and courage are an inspiration to us all. Never stop dreaming, never stop believing and never change!
WAVEMAKER SESSION
14/02/2025
We were lucky enough to have the fantastic team over at Wavemaker host another digital skills session!
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Our young people got hands-on with experimenting with new and exciting technologies and how they could utilise AI in their day to day loves, learning new skills and exploring fresh ideas. It’s all about saying YES to new opportunities and building confidence for the future!
SAYING YES TO SUCCESS
14/02/2024
🎉 300+ young people supported – and we're just getting started! 🎉
YES Stoke has now helped over 300 young people build confidence, gain new skills, and take steps toward their future. From workshops to job coaching, we’re here to make sure every young person has the support they need to succeed.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who’s been part of this journey – from our incredible team to the amazing young people who say YES to new opportunities every day!
Here’s to the next 300!
TOXIC POPCORN TEAM BUILDING
10/02/2025
At YES, we believe in developing essential skills through hands-on experiences. That’s why we teamed up with The Inspirational Learning Group to take on the Toxic Popcorn Challenge - a fun and interactive team-building workshop designed to strengthen problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.
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Using a mix of materials and plenty of creative thinking, participants worked together to overcome obstacles, proving that even the biggest challenges become more manageable with the right approach. The session was a great way to highlight the importance of working as a team, thinking outside the box, and developing the skills needed for future success.
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A huge thank you to The Inspirational Learning Group for leading such an engaging and insightful session! We can’t wait for the next challenge.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
10/02/2024
It’s National Apprenticeship Week!
Apprenticeships are an incredible way to gain real-world experience, earn while you learn, and build a future career all while getting hands-on training in your chosen field.
At YES, we’re all about helping young people find the right path for them. Whether it’s an apprenticeship, further education, or employment, we’re here to support you in saying YES to success!
EPIC FUTURES
28/01/2025
Today we welcomed a fantastic session from Epic Futures on starting your own business. 💼✨
Our young people explored what it takes to be their own boss, learned about the key steps to starting a business, and gained valuable advice on turning ideas into reality. The session sparked creativity, inspired confidence, and gave practical tools to help them take their first steps into entrepreneurship.
We’re excited to see the amazing ideas and plans they’ll create!
SAY YES
13/01/2025
We’re proud to have supported over 250 young people in Stoke-on-Trent! Whether it’s finding employment or building key skills, we’re inspired by the dedication and hard work of every amazing young person we’ve worked with.
We’re here to help people keep saying YES:
✨ YES to Opportunity
✨ YES to Success
✨ YES You Can
KREATIVE JOBS CLUB
10/01/2025
Thank you to Kirsty from Kreative Foundations for coming in yesterday and joining our Jobs Club
We all got to know each other and explored how to be effective communicators, as well as the importance of languange and how it can affect our self confidence
A FESTIVE JOBS CLUB
12/12/2024
We combined job coaching with a little holiday cheer at our festive job club session for YES participants!
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We got creative and built some gingerbread houses, because teamwork and developing skills can be sweet in more ways than one!
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It’s all part of helping young people say YES to opportunities, growth, and success this festive season.
SHOWING THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
10/12/2024
Huge shoutout to Leaf, one of our amazing YES candidates, who set up a stall at last week’s Community Meal at YMCA North Staffordshire
She showcased her stunning original artworks, selling festive prints and greeting cards - perfect gifts for the season. But that’s not all! Leaf generously donated all proceeds to Sanctus!
Your talent and kindness inspire us, Leaf!
SAY YES TO SUCCESS
06/12/2024
Did you know that we have already helped over 250 young people in Stoke-on-Trent say YES to success? This includes over:
60 people through various training courses including first aid, AI and digital workshops and FA certified coaching sessions
80 people develop their life skills, whether it be through confidence building or cooking courses, we always have the right fit for you
110 people with job searching with one on one support from their job coaches​​​​
FIRST AID WORKSHOP
04/12/2024
Our YES participants gained some serious life skills! A massive thank you to Port Vale FC Foundation for delivering an engaging and informative first aid course
From CPR to handling emergencies, our group is now ready to step up when it matters most.
WORK COACH MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
27/11/2024
Our wonderful team of work coaches attended a mental health course led by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Talking Therapies
This is just a part of our commitment to help and support you however we can!
NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST BOOK GIVEAWAY
25/11/2024
In October, our YES candidates teamed up with National Literacy Trust and Stoke City Community Trust at the iconic bet365 Stadium!
They led fun family activities like scavenger hunts and book giveaways while collaborating with the community trust. This was a big step in meeting new people and showing what teamwork can achieve!
Massive shoutout to our candidates for their hard work in making the day a huge success.
UNLEASH YOUR INNER STORYTELLER
18/11/2024
Last month Framescape and Carse and Waterman welcomed us into their office for their Unleash Your Inner Storyteller workshop!​
This was a hands on digital session where we got training and instruction on how to use artistic software and graphics tablets as we began the process of turning a film into a picture book. We even had a professional animator on hand to give us feedback as well as tips and tricks.
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We didn't just level up our digital skills, we also worked on our interpersonal skills by chatting to new people while hard at work
A massive thank you to Framescape and Carse and Waterman for having us!
STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
13/11/2024
YES was proud to attend a round table discussion with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce about how we can better support young people as they move into employment and who better to hear from than the young!
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Well done to all the young people who came and spoke about some of the hardships and obstacles you might face!
HELPING OVER 200 PEOPLE SAY YES TO SUCCESS!
07/11/2024
Did you know that we have already helped over 200 (!!!) young people in Stoke-on-Trent say YES to success?
This is a huge milestone to have hit and we are so proud that we have been able to support so many people, thank you to all of our hard working coaches and to everyone who has lets us be a part of your journey 💙
FUTSAL WORKSHOP
05/11/2024
In September we ran a futsal workshop with Stoke City Community Trust
This was a great opportunity to build on our confidence and team work while engaging in a fun new sport together
TAILS AND TRAILS
30/10/2024
A group of YES candidates helped National Literacy Trust with their ‘Tails & Trails’ children’s festival this week
Our team put on a variety of arts and craft activities with an autumnal theme to keep the little ones busy. Great work everyone!
YES TO SUCCESS
25/10/2024
Did you know we've already helped over 185 young people in Stoke-on-Trent? Let's have a closer look
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We have helped over:
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40 people through various training courses including first aid, AI and digital workshops and FA certified coaching sessions
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60 people develop their life skills, whether it be through confidence building or cooking courses, we always have the right fit for you
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90 people with job searching with one on one support from their job coaches​​​​
NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST BOOK GIVEAWAY
19/10/2024
On Saturday, National Literacy Trust held a book giveaway with Stoke City Community Trust
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We met and chatted with lots of families and our YES candidates got the opportunity to see first hand how happy they were making people as they manned the station!
YES TO SUCCESS
18/10/2024
Did you know that we have already helped over 185 young people in Stoke-on-Trent say YES to success?
Well done to everyone who has taken part so far!
FRAMESCAPE - UNLEASH YOUR INNER STORYTELLER
16/10/2024
We had a fantastic time with Framescape at their Unleash Your Inner Storyteller Event!
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This was a hands on digital session where we got training and instruction on how to use artistic software and graphics tablets as we began the process of turning a film into a picture book. We even had a professional animator on hand to give us feedback as well as tips and tricks
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We also had a discussion about an ever evolving new technology, AI, and how it is a tool that can be used in many careers in the future
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A massive thank you to Framescape and Carse and Waterman!
CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE
14/10/2024
Charlie is celebrating six months of employment after enrolling on the YES programme! We were able to help Charlie with his CV and are delighted to see how well he is doing
YES was able to support Charlie with his role by providing him with a new laptop to use in his work
TAKE 10 TO READ
10/10/2024
In honour of World Mental Health Day we took part in the #Take10toRead campaign.
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Reading is a great way to relax, boost your mood and escape the pressures of daily life so make sure you take 10 minutes to read and relax today!
BOOKTOK BOOKCASE
04/10/2024
Last Friday the National Literacy Trust, and some very distinguished guests, visted us and celebrated the installation of our BookTok bookcase
The launch and titles picked are all thanks to young people as part of the YES Programme
YOUNG LEADERS PODCAST
30/09/2024
Thank you to YMCA North Staffordshire for having us on the Young Leader's Podcast
Eli, one of our incredible job coaches, spoke about
what YES is and how we give the young people of
Stoke-on-Trent a helping hand and we had a chat about our journeys that lead us here
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🎧 https://spoti.fi/4ds3MuR 🎧
FUTSAL WORKSHOP
28/09/2024
Thank you to Stoke City Community Trust for running such a fun futsal workshop on Saturday!
We learned the rules of the game as well as building up our confidence and working together as a team!
BOOK BUNDLE PREPARATION
25/09/2024
Some of our YES candidates helped National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday prepare book bundles!
These will be given out to new parents in the community
TALES IN THE PARK CATCH UP
24/09/2024
We caught up with one of our brilliant YES candidates during the Tales in the Park event in Hanley
We chatted about what they have been up to and how YES has helped them and we wish them all the best of luck as they go on to university!
YOUNG LEADERS PODCAST
20/09/2024
Thank you to YMCA North Staffordshire for having these windswept and wonderful people on the Young Leader's Podcast!
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Our job coach Eli chatted about her role in helping young people and our marketing assistant and members of the Youth Governance Team spoke about their careers and how they got started in their current roles
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Episode releasing soon so keep an eye out!
WAVEMAKER AI WORKSHOP
17/09/2024
Thank you to Wavemaker for delivering such an amazing workship on AI!
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It was so eye opening to see all the possibilities this new and exciting technology can offer us, from help writing CVs to creating music from nothing but a prompt!
There might have even been some Chromebooks given away
STOKE CITY VOLUNTEER
16/09/2024
Say hello to Amy, one of our fantastic YES candidates!
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She has been working with YES for the past few weeks and will start voluneering with Stoke City Community Trust this week!
BET365 JOB FAIR
13/09/2024
It has been great having Joe and Ryan today at the Jobs Fair at the bet365 Stadium
They were looking for part time work as well as supporting Wayne from Stoke City Community Trust
FEASTED TOGETHER KITCHEN
04/09/2024
Congratulations to YES candidate Artemis who took part in FEASTED's Together Kitchen Course!
Young people designed 10 recipes which were prepared and shared together as well as making up 1000 meal kits over the 10 weeks which were given out to families from our local pantry
FIRST AID TRAINING
03/09/2024
Thank you to Port Vale FC Foundation for giving our YES candidates first aid training yesterday
They learned important life saving skills and what to do in case of a medical emergency
CREATIVE CAROUSEL SET UP
30/08/2024
YMCA North Staffordshire have been hosting their Creative Carousel art exhibition in the Potteries Centre all this week, check out our YES candidate Nadia volunteering to help get everything set up
She's done a great job, head to the Potteries Shopping Centre and see for yourself!
TALES IN THE PARK 2024
23/08/2024
Some of our YES candidates helped support National Literacy Trust's Tales in the Park event in Hanley Park!
They were certainly busy all day between giving out free books, chatting with attendees and helping out at all the stalls, didn't they do such a great job?
TALES IN THE PARK 2024
23/08/2024
National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent held their annual Tales in the Park event across various parks. Each day consisted of free book giveaways, performances and lots of fun activities
Our YES candidates were on hand at the events setting up the stands, helping out on the stalls and chatting to families attending the days, thank you for all your hard work
Footage filmed in Tunstall Park on 30/07/2024 and Hanley Park 16/07/2024
GCSE RESULTS DAY
22/08/2024
We dropped in to Thomas Moore Academy to chat to people receiving their GCSE results and let them know all the amazing opportunities that YES could offer them
TALES IN THE PARK - HANLEY PARK
16/08/2024
National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent brought their Tales in the Park series to an end in Hanley Park and YES Candidates and volunteers from Stoke City Community Trust were on hand to help out
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Well done to everyone and congratulations to National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent for all their hard word paying off!