Bentilee, Ubberley & Townsend
Too often communities are judged by what they lack. Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend should also be recognised for what it already has.
Our ward is home to a remarkable range of services and community facilities, including schools, health services, family support, sports centres, parks, community organisations and places of worship. Together they provide support, opportunities and connections for thousands of local people every week.
My focus is not simply attracting new investment, but making the most of the assets we already have — bringing organisations together, strengthening community links and ensuring residents can access the services they need as close to home as possible.
Why it matters
This isn't just the ward I represent – it's the community that helped shape who I am. My family live here, many of my closest connections are here, and I care deeply about the future of the area. Like many residents, I've seen services disappear, opportunities become harder to access and community spaces come under pressure. That's why I'm committed to helping make Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
I am also passionate about building on the strengths that already exist in Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend. We have talented residents, dedicated volunteers, strong community organisations and a wealth of local knowledge. By recognising and developing these assets, we can create more opportunities for local people to lead positive change.
My Priorities
My priority is ensuring local people have a genuine voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Too often, people from communities like ours are underrepresented in local government. I believe residents should help shape local policies, services and investment priorities because the best decisions are made with communities, not for them.
I see my role as helping to bring people together, building relationships and connecting people, organisations and services around a shared goal of improving life for local residents. By working together and reducing duplication, we can create a stronger, more joined-up community that works for everyone.
Community Spotlight
Regular updates from Charities, Organisations and People working with the community and making our ward a better place to live
Transform Communities Staffordshire CIC
Creating Opportunities that Change Lives
Transform Communities Staffordshire CIC is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the lives of children, young people and families through positive activities, mentoring and community projects.
At the heart of its work is a simple belief: every young person deserves to feel safe, valued and inspired, whatever their background or circumstances.
The organisation provides a wide range of free opportunities, including youth clubs, Holiday Activities and Food sessions, the Staffordshire SPACE programme, one-to-one mentoring, sports, arts and crafts, residential experiences and community engagement projects.
These activities are about much more than keeping young people busy. They help children and teenagers build confidence, develop new skills, form positive relationships and access experiences they may not otherwise have.
Transform Communities also works closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, The Hubb Foundation, schools, Youth Offending Services, Staffordshire Police, local councillors and other community partners. By bringing organisations together, it helps create a stronger network of support around young people and their families.
Its vision is to help build stronger and safer communities where young people can thrive, feel supported and believe in their own potential.
“We don’t just talk about change — we deliver it.”
That message runs through everything the organisation does: practical support, real opportunities and visible action for children, young people and families across the community.
Why this work matters
When young people have trusted adults, safe places to go and positive activities to take part in, they are more likely to feel connected to their community and confident about their future.
Transform Communities Staffordshire is helping make that happen by creating opportunities that are free, local and accessible to the young people who need them most.
Every Friday 7 - 14 year olds
16:30 - 18:00
Youthclub Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre
Extra sessions during the school holidays - see link below
JERICHO come as you are
More than a drop-in
Craig and Louise never set out to create an organisation. As members of St Stephen's Church in Bentilee and St John's Church in Abbey Hulton, they simply recognised a growing need. More people were facing homelessness, poverty and isolation, and they wanted to respond.
After sharing their vision with their vicar, Malc, Jericho Come As You Are was launched just two weeks later. What began as a conversation has grown into a community that offers practical help, friendship and hope to people across Bentilee and Stoke-on-Trent.
Today, Jericho runs a weekly drop-in in Bentilee where anyone can find a warm welcome, food, hot drinks, clothing, toiletries, practical advice and, perhaps most importantly, someone willing to listen without judgement.
Alongside the drop-in, the team also carries out weekly outreach in Hanley, taking sandwiches, drinks and essential supplies directly to people sleeping rough, while helping them reconnect with support services.
Small acts. Big changes.
The impact of Jericho is measured less by statistics than by the lives it has helped change.
Ben was supported into secure accommodation after experiencing homelessness. Anna, after being granted asylum, moved into an empty flat with almost nothing. Jericho was able to furnish her home with furniture and household essentials, helping turn four bare walls into somewhere she could begin again.
But not every success story is measured by housing or possessions.
Sometimes it begins with something much simpler: a conversation, a hot meal, a listening ear or a reminder that someone still cares.
"I was broken when I first came in this morning, and your love, support, strength and prayer got me through and put me back together again."
For Craig and Louise, moments like this are exactly why Jericho exists.
A place where everyone is welcome
At the heart of Jericho is a simple belief: every person deserves dignity, compassion and hope.
Their mission is to meet people where they are, respond to immediate need with kindness and remind every person that they are valued, loved and never forgotten.
If you know someone who is struggling, feeling isolated, or simply needs somewhere warm and welcoming, Jericho's doors are open.
Every Friday
9.30am – 11.30am
St Stephen's Church, Bentilee
Join the Community
Get Involved with Local Governance
Your participation is vital in shaping our community's future. Join Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough in making a difference by attending local meetings, voicing your concerns, and participating in initiatives.