A major government-backed campaign aimed at bringing communities together has been launched in Stoke-on-Trent today.

The "One Stoke-on-Trent" campaign includes a new grant scheme which can be used by community groups to fund celebratory Centenary projects along with a major engagement and "listening" exercise to understand what more needs to be done to make the city a welcoming place for everyone.

The year-long project will utilise £600,000 of funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Community Recovery Fund - £240,000 of which will be made available through the grant scheme. 

Voluntary and community groups, charities and social enterprises can claim grants for Centenary projects starting at £500, up to £10,000 for larger activities and projects in the city. 

One Stoke-on-Trent has been developed on the back of public disorder in August 2024, which saw hundreds of protestors and counter-protesters descend on Hanley city centre.

The incident was one of several national protests which took place last summer following the murder of three young girls in Southport.

Cllr Jane Ashworth, the leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We have made it clear that everybody in Stoke-on-Trent has a right to feel and be safe - and that prejudice and discrimination are not welcome here, but we know that more needs to be done to understand the individual challenges facing our local communities.

"This will mean confronting some uncomfortable realities, engaging in difficult but necessary conversations and managing misinformation that can so easily spread hate and division.

"As we mark our city's Centenary, we also need to recognise the contributions our diverse communities are making to our city and celebrate our unique history, heritage and individual character of each of our six towns.

"Our goal is to foster a greater sense of pride, trust and belonging among all residents regardless of their origin, background, race or religion."

 Three categories of grant will be on offer: small (£500-£1,000), medium (£1,000-£5,000) and large (£5,000-£10,000).

The One Stoke-on-Trent logo (Image via Stoke-on-Trent CC)

The year-long campaign unites leaders from the city council, police, fire services, NHS, schools and colleges, local football teams, the media, and faith and voluntary sectors.

Separately, the campaign's engagement and "listening" exercise will work with residents and business to explore crucial questions about the city's collective identity and what more needs to be done to make Stoke-on-Trent a place where everyone feels welcome. 

Key messages from the campaign will be promoted by partners, making clear that Stoke-on-Trent is committed to being a welcoming city, which believes in fair opportunity for everyone and sees diversity as a strength.

Fahmida Rehman, CEO of Stepping Stones Community Organisation, said: "The clear message emerging from this partnership is one of inclusivity and respect.

"Stoke-on-Trent is a city where everyone, regardless of their background, deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard. 

"The multi-agency approach - bringing together council leaders, local services and community organisations like ours - signals a commitment to real, sustainable change.

"This is about more than just addressing the immediate concerns; it is about fostering long-term resilience, ensuring that prejudice and discrimination have no place in our city, and nurturing a future where all communities can thrive equally."

Matt Hancock, Chief Executive at Port Vale, said: "As a football club at the very heart of a diverse community within Stoke-on-Trent, we are fully supportive of the One Stoke-on-Trent initiative and committed to continuing to bring people together.

"We want our city to be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, and are proud to be working collaboratively to deliver this strong message."

To learn more about the community grant scheme, or to apply, visit: https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/one-stoke-community-grants/