Dialling Up the City Centre with Vodafone Stoke and VAST

In partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and VAST, 60 volunteers from the Vodafone site on Shelton Boulevard have contributed to four major renovation projects in the city centre realm.

BID CEO Richard Buxton said:

"The BID are thrilled to have the Vodafone team choose us as their annual volunteering location. It's great to be working with them, VAST (who have been steadfast in sourcing these volunteers) and the Potteries Centre to add sparkle to the city centre and pave the way for new offerings to local people.

This Saturday's ArtJam is the first of its kind in the city centre, so we're grateful to the Stoke-on-Trent City Council for special permission to transform this area. Working with so many valued partners in this way is essential to the continued success of the city centre's environment." 

Ahead of Keep It Local’s Creative Department Store in Autumn, the volunteers have spent the day transforming the previously used Next unit in the Potteries Shopping Centre.The store will be home to independent retailers and set to act as a space for community and family activities.

Ahead of the City Centre ArtJam on Saturday 27 July, work has also taken place on the fencing previously intended for the Etruscan Square development. With exclusive permission being granted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and working with Graphic Artist Rob Fenton, artists from Staffordshire and beyond are set to add vibrancy and colour to the area, with activities for families taking place during the ArtJam.

Down on Trinity Street, the dedicated volunteers also spent time painting fences on Presence Church. Previously home to The Exchange and the Werkroom, this location has been lovingly restored to welcome over 100 people weekly for Sunday worship. Plus, over 20 bags of litter have been collected by the eager Vodafone volunteers, along with the BID team.

Lisa Healings, VAST Chief Executive and Finance Director, said:

“It's communities that know communities best, and it's the voluntary organisations working in those communities that make a difference. When it comes to the private sector though, there are more and more businesses realising that social responsibility and ethical practices are also vital to their success.

CSR projects like this one not only bring businesses and VCSE groups together, but they also demonstrate that local businesses do care, are taking an interest in wider social issues, and actively support local communities."