ABOUT SOTYC
The Stoke-on-Trent Youth Collective (SOTYC) is a PURPOSE-DRIVEN movement for change. We bring together youth organisations, practitioners and changemakers to co-design solutions and improve outcomes for young people aged 11-18 yrs across Stoke-on-Trent. The SOTYC is a non-political movement to increase positive outcomes for young people in the city.
OURDNA
Authenticity
Altruism
Collaboration
Innovation
Inclusivity
Passion
OUR ‘DNA’ is based on relational values. Everything we ‘do’ & ‘are’ comes out of ‘relationship’. We are an inclusive movement that has authenticity at its core. We value authentic partnerships & generous leadership built on collaborative approaches that serve the intentional vision of the SOTYC.
Our defining strength is in our asset-based approach, which models a positive mindset (what we CAN DO, not what WE CAN’T), focusing on ‘what we ‘HAVE GOT’, not what we HAVEN’T.
OUR CULTURE​
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We are a network built on generosity, trust, and collaboration.
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Purpose-Driven Project Working Groups [PODs] participation is voluntary but often aligned with work roles.
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We co-create solutions that benefit the whole city, not just individual organisations.
SOTYC IS A 'VALUES-LED' CITYWIDE MOVEMENT TO:
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Strengthen the youth sector in SOT, enabling it to better support young people
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Resource & support each other, adding value to our local youth offer
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Provide programmes that are ‘community-led’ with youth voice at its core
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Connect the dots on youth services to identify and fill gaps
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Create dynamic youth projects that stand for innovation and excellence
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Value and utilise the knowledge, ‘lived experience’, and talent within our City
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Promote generous leadership and authentic partnerships across communities
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Utilise & promote the positive use of local spaces
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Identify and attract investment into the City that benefits young people
OUR VISION
Empowering every young person in our City to live with aspiration and purpose, unlocking their potential to thrive and succeed.
OUR MISSION
Inspiring a generation by driving positive change in youth culture, powered by prevention, innovation and collaboration.
OUR AIMS
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Facilitate the collaboration of services and providers to deliver a unified City-wide Youth Offer
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Coordinate ‘sector expert’ working groups to create, develop and deliver innovative Purpose Driven Projects
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Co-design initiatives with young people for young people
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Drive new investment to fund and deliver purpose-driven projects
OUR 5 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
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Enhanced Communities
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Education, Employment and Training
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Health & Wellbeing
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Collaborative Working
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Youth Voice & Co-design
Under each strategic priority, we have a number of Purpose-Driven Projects that are developed within our PODS (working groups) and co-designed with and for young people.
The SOTYC is made up of 3 strands of involvement:
MEMBERS NETWORK
The members' network is the general membership of the SOTYC, where members can connect to other youth-focused organisation members through our FREE relational monthly breakfasts, WhatsApp group, mailing list, social media & network training days.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
(INVITE ONLY)
The LT oversees & protects the vision &’ DNA’ of the SOTYC whilst driving forward its purpose driven projects. Individuals from our Members Network are invited to the LT based on their input, consistent presence and commitment to the SOTYC. This is NOT based on gender, faith, ability, ethnicity or culture. However, the SOTYC aspires to have a LT that is representative of the communities and young people it serves.
PODS (PLACE OF DEVELOPMENT)
WORKING GROUPS
PODS are specifically set up to develop, monitor and evaluate the SOTYC’s ‘purpose-driven projects’ and are made up of volunteers from SOTYC members and ‘sector experts’ relevant to each project.​
OURBACKSTORY
The SOT YOUTH COLLECTIVE was established in September 2021 by Dawnie Reynolds [Ruff & Ruby urban youth charity], Assisted by Ben Gibson (IN2HEALTH&WELLBEING).
Together, they were envisioned, with other youth practitioners, about collaborating to create a purpose-driven project young people called: 'ENDZ' (the first of 6, dynamic open-access youth provisions, modelling multi-agencies working together in one space).
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From this gathering an identified need for a dynamic purpose driven network emerged & coupled with a desire to see youth focused organisations such as charities, CIC’s, small businesses & volunteer groups of all sizes & shapes work together more effectively to impact a generation & shape a decade of young people – the SOTYC was established.​​
Today, as a thriving ‘movement for change’ with over 106 city organisations as members, the collective provides a platform for third sector providers multi agencies, youth focused organisations and multi-agencies, endorsed by statutory agencies to deliver on PURPOSE-DRIVEN projects, promote good youth work practice, resource and support each other to coordinate delivery to maximise the offer for young people with a highly effective joined up approach across Stoke-On-Trent.
We are proud to represent the cities ethos ' UNITED STRENGTH IS STRONGER ' & we model a high quality level of multi-agency working demonstrating authentic partnership & generous leadership.
The collective can provide a ‘go to’ network of consultancy / advice for local bodies, supporting the voice of young people and front-line organisations.
