CEO and Founder

I founded the Better Together Community Support Group for Stoke-on-Trent and N-u-L because I noticed there is vital support and points of contact missing. As a group made of community members, we aim to support where needed. No matter if someone need just a friendly chat, a food or hygiene parcel, sign posting to other support organisations or is looking for activities for every age group. We got you covered.

My personal background, I am a historian, specialised in Women in the Intelligence community, worked 20 years as PA, proud Mum and Grandma.

COO

I am currently a student at Staffordshire University studying Social Work. I was given the opportunity to work with Better Together as part of my training, and being a part of the close community myself, have recognised the importance of such support.

Before training, my work history is primarily in retail, were the health and wellbeing of customers was at the heart of my job. I was also a main career for own Dad which gave me the push I needed to go back into studying.

I now want to be accessible to the community for advice, help and support without judgement.

Head of PR and Communications

I joined Better Together in January 2024 because I wanted to help to make a positive difference in my community.

I have previously worked as a senior journalist at The Sentinel / StokeOnTrentLive and the Birmingham Mail, and as communications manager for Keele University and Ceramics UK.

Away from work, I am married with two sons, and can usually be found reading a book or watching Port Vale, where I am a season ticket holder.

hannah@bettertogethercommunitystoke.org

Community Support and Community Outreach

Community Support and Communications

I found out about Better Together early in 2023 and decided to leave my job with the Co-op to join the charity to work full time in December 2023.

I joined Better Together as I am passionate about supporting people and bringing the community together. I believe everyone deserves the chance in life to reach their full potential and would like to help people along their journey, particularly those of a young age.

My previous work has mainly been based in retail and events which I enjoyed and where I gained many valuable skills.

I love travelling, participating in sports and spending time with friends in my spare time.

gemma@bettertogethercommunitystoke.org

Community Engagement

I joined Better Together in April 2024 and help to develop our activities so that we can continue to meet the needs of the people we support.

I graduated from Staffordshire University with an Honours degree in Sociology and have wide experience of volunteering with local voluntary organisations, including Changes, B-Arts and Appetite.

Finance Officer

Small business owner, married to Birgit. I am the invisible man in the background and who drives the van for the collections.

Mascot and Volunteer

Paula the Puppy - Assistance Dog and Mascot. Loves humans, cars and cuddles.

Mae our equivalent to Tigger. Bouncy Cockerpoo, loves humans, water, cars and food.

Head of Little Humans Staffordshire CIC

Volunteer

I am Kerry, and after finishing my degree in Health and Social Care, I worked several years with disabled children. I have supported the Better Together Community Support Group from the beginning. I am a mum of 4 and understand how challenging daily life can be and I am happy to help. I believe in kindness.

Volunteer IT

I got into volunteering through the feeding/baby group on a Monday, and wanted to give back what I could as the group was such a great support to me - and I made such a lovely group of friends through it, and it really helped me both during my maternity leave and still now, and passing on some of the advice to the next group of mums in the group is really nice too.I can use my IT background to support the charity.

Volunteer / Duke of Edinburgh Award Silver

I got into volunteering through the Duke of Edinburgh but it was never my reason to want to continue volunteering the community is lovely it opened my eyes to how may people need that support and help from people around them and it made me happy to go and help those who need it more than I do. I enjoy the environment it’s calm and loving and how everyone treats people respectfully it gave me a good hope for how life might be once I get older and meet more people. Well I’d say the benefits I’ve gained is my confidence has improved a lot when speaking to others and that I met a really lovely group of people that even with their own lives take there time to help others for free it’s honestly refreshing.

Volunteer

Volunteer

I am Dave and live local. and I support our local community for years. Therefore, I am happy to be part of the Better Together Community family. I am a Landlord (Jollees Cabaret Venue) with a big heart who like to help where possible.

My name is Stephen Blakemore, I am the Convenor at Unitas and currently seconded as a regional officer for Unite the Union. I have always believed in and been committed to the community coming together and being “Better Together” . I have always looked to bring the community together wherever I have lived. I have lived in Trent Vale and Oakhill in the past and my parents still live there. I hope to contribute in time and experience.

My name is Paul Deakes aka Tube I own a small pottery business in Longton. Also, I am born and bred in Trent Vegas, went to school with Colin and still live locally. I’ve joined the trustees after being approached by Birgit and realising what a fantastic service they are providing for the local community before and during the pandemic and will be after so hopefully I will be able help in some way.

I am a qualified teacher and the Lead Learning mentor at a local primary school. My role is to remove barriers to learning by supporting children and families to overcome difficulties. I am also the deputy safeguarding lead, working closely with various agencies to ensure children remain safe. My role is to ensure the voice of the child is heard, working with vulnerable families to enable children to their potential.

I am Paul, and father of five kids, married a wonderful French wife. I am a Senior Lecturer in Strategic & Digital Marketing at Staffordshire University Business School, that is where I met Birgit a long time ago. I am also a passionate Artisan Baker and hopefully some of my skills are useful for the Better Together Community Support Group.