Vision statement

Unity is committed to improving services and activities for young people of Stoke on Trent through creative opportunities.

We are committed to bringing out the best in young peoples abilities and ambitions, offering them training and advice along the way.

We address and tackle social problems that disadvantaged young people face through a modern, unique and creative ways.

We capture the energy of young people and transform that into something positive that teaches positivity amongst other young people.

Foreword

Matt Wilcox - Unity “Unity was set up in response to local problems that I saw on almost a daily basis, things that were more clearly visable in Stoke than anywhere else I had lived. It was also set up because I remember the problems that I faced when I was a teenager and how as soon as I had become interested in the arts, in my case music, my life seemed to get better.

I had always been clever and creative when it came to art, but at the same time destructive with my behaviour and attitude to the world around me. I believe that every young person with similiar or different difficulties can also achieve and Unity exists to make that happen sooner rather than later and to intervene before potential more serious issues can get in the way to positive citizenship.”
Matt Wilcox – Director & Strategic Development Manager (Stoke on Trent Citizen of the year 07)

What is Unity about

Unity is an organisation set up by highly successful people from the creative industries in Stoke on Trent who wanted to use their skills and experiences to help the young people of the community. From an idea in 2005 this concept has evolved and developed as opportunities have arisen and the work in the city by Unity towards addressing social problems has been recognised and praised. We are about innovating and using moderns ways of engagement and provision to support, empower and raise aspirations of young people in Stoke on Trent.

Social Enterprise

Unity operates as a business but with social aims and objectives. We deliver projects, programmes, activities and events that are always free to young people but paid for by local authority, goverment agency, funding donations or corporate sponsorship.

All of the profits from the services we deliver are reinvested back into the organisation to increase the level and range of services we provide. This means that we can build capacity through more staff, more buildings and more services to empower and support more young people from across the community.

What Does Unity do?

Unity offers a variety of services, programmes, events, projects and activities for young people across Stoke on Trent. We are an approved Arts Award, Asdan and Open College Network centre and accredit our work using these nationally recognised qualifications at levels 1-3. We specialise in using creative artforms to engage, motivate and train young people and can plan, deliver and manage with this to specific timescales and targets.

Our Objectives

Impove the community
To promote regeneration within Staffordshire
To improve community cohesion
To break down barriers between cultures
To provide relevant and appropriate services to young people.
To train and promote creative artforms.
Reduce the risk of anti social behaviour

What impact does Unity have in young people’s lives?

There are many young people that have benefitted from Unity’s services wether it be a boost in confidence from taking part in a dj workshop or salvaging qualifications from a disrupted education. We have supported many young people in getting back into work or education, helped young people get new qualifications, given young people a chance to experience a new opportunity and much much more.

Why is there a need for the Unity project in Stoke on Trent?

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Stoke on Trent is a disadvantaged area with many social issues particularly that affect young people.
Stoke on Trent is the 18th most deprived local authority
Ranked 146th out of 150 local education authorities for academic achievment
Low levels of literacy and numercy amoung young people
Only 10% of population have graduated from University
40% of adults have no academic qualifications
The average salary is 20% below the national average
Double the national average in receipt of incapacity benefit
Very high rate of economic inactivity
Bottom 3 in England for average house prices (average under 100k)
Teenage pregnancy is 50% more than national average
Life expectancy is in bottom 5 of the uk
High levels of smoking and smoking related illnesses