You can take the Stokie out of Stoke… but you’ll never take Stoke out of the Stokie.
Be the change makers
Made in Stoke is a place-based philanthropy network built on a simple belief: no matter where life has taken you, Stoke-on-Trent remains a part of who you are.
750+Members
£6mPhilanthropy secured
30+Community organisations supported
Pride.Nostalgia.Home.
Because wherever life takes you, the moment you pick up a piece of pottery, you still turn it over. You still look for the back stamp.
And when it says Made in Stoke-on-Trent, something stirs inside…
Made in Stoke was built to bottle that feeling - the connection millions of people still carry with this city, no matter how far away they are.
But this isn’t just about looking back. It’s about building what comes next.
So we give people who are ‘Made in Stoke’ a way to give back to the city that shaped them - turning pride into action, and action into a better future for Stoke and its people.
Stoke made you. Now it’s your turn to make Stoke.
Photo: Cat Toft · @catoft_photography
Our story
Made here. Making an impact everywhere.
What started as an inspirational idea in 2013 has been quietly growing into something remarkable. For the past six years, Made in Stoke has been proving what happens when a community refuses to forget its roots.
Because being Made in Stoke isn't only about where you come from. It's about what you carry with you. The resilience. The creativity. The graft. The pride.
Read our back story
Impact
Made to measure.
Investing in people, place and possibility.
750+
Members
£6m
Philanthropy secured
40+
Signed up for Future Ready Pledge
30+
Signed up for Speakers in Schools
£50,000+
Gifts in kind secured
148
Volunteering hours
30+
Community organisations supported
1
Guinness World Record achieved
Personal stories
Stoke made me…
Welcome to Stoke Made Me, a dedicated space where we celebrate the grit, creativity, and ambition woven into the fabric of our city. Here we are bringing together inspiring, aspirational stories from everyday Stokies who are making their mark, reflecting on how our rich heritage, working-class spirit, and tight-knit community forged their path to success both locally and globally. From pioneering entrepreneurs and groundbreaking artists to local leaders making waves across the world, these uplifting accounts prove that being raised in Stoke-on-Trent doesn't just shape your roots - it fuels your biggest achievements.
“What makes Made in Stoke different is its ability to connect influence with need and turn goodwill into action.”
Connections in action
What we do.
01
Speakers in Schools.
Our Speakers in Schools programme is a collaboration between local schools and the Made in Stoke Community. Designed to broaden horizons and raise aspirations, the initiative connects students with real-world professionals through engaging presentations, authentic personal stories, and interactive Q&A sessions. By giving young people direct exposure to varied industries and key life lessons on resilience and perseverance, the programme aims to inspire confidence and help students set ambitious goals for their futures.
How to sign up
02
Future Ready Pledge.
Across Stoke-on-Trent, many young people with disadvantaged backgrounds aged 14-24 struggle to access meaningful work experience, employment pathways, or mentoring opportunities. With 13.6% of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), the challenge is real - and growing.
Join Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, YMCA, and Made in Stoke to make a real difference. We're uniting businesses to create a seismic shift in how we support young people with a disadvantaged background, inspiring their engagement with the world of work and their pride in our city.
The Future Ready Pledge
03
Community campaigns.
Support our community champions
Across Stoke-on-Trent there’s untapped talent, unstoppable community spirit, and organisations doing incredible things every single day. Here we shine a light on some of the amazing initiatives which you may wish to support.
Support our community champions
Shop
Wear your Stoke pride.
Show your connection to the city with an official Made in Stoke T-shirt, designed and printed locally. Wear your pride wherever life takes you.
Shop
Be the change makers
Give back to the city that made you.
Whether you were born here, live here, or simply love the determination and heart of our city, your support powers positive change across Stoke-on-Trent. Every gift - big or small - helps Made in Stoke connect passionate locals, spark fresh ideas, and invest in our community's future.
The Back Stamp
Turn it over. You always do.
A pottery backstamp is an identifying mark, logo or text stamped, printed or painted on the base of a ceramic piece - a historical fingerprint for the item. For Stoke-on-Trent, these marks are intrinsically linked to the city's identity and its rich industrial heritage. Backstamps from legendary local manufacturers like Wedgwood, Spode and Minton do far more than simply authenticate a piece's origin, date and maker. They trace the very evolution of British ceramics, serving as a proud, permanent signature of our world-renowned craftsmanship on wares that have been exported across the globe for centuries.
Stronger together
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
The Rigby Foundation
Shanahan Family Foundation
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire
YMCA
Keele University
Stoke City FC
Port Vale FC
University of Staffordshire
Partners.
Principal partners
Stoke-on-Trent City CouncilThe Rigby FoundationShanahan Family FoundationCommunity Foundation for Staffordshire & ShropshireLogo to
supplyThe Hazelhurst Trust
supplyThe Hazelhurst Trust
Supporting partners
YMCAKeele UniversityStoke City FCPort Vale FCUniversity of Staffordshire