CLS Heroes: Burslem CLS Innovation Team

This team began their CLS Journey during the 2nd Lockdown in January 2021 virtually, continuing the virtual journey until restrictions lifted. The innovation team remained, passionate, innovative, dedicated, respectful of partner views and opinions, flexible and most importantly relationships developed during the 5 months, people began to work together developing their processes and implementing solutions to local challenges. 

The diverse innovation team have worked hard to shift the membership from statutory led to community led; January = 70% statutory, 25% VCSE and 5% community. Present day = 25% community, 35% VCSE and 40% statutory.

We are aware there is more to do, however the steps we have taken to get this far in a short timescale should be commended.  

 Transactional relationships have become conversational relationships, communities are starting to be seen as a primary ingredient alongside the voluntary sector. Primary Care and Secondary Care pathways have been invested and developed with voluntary sector partners. The team have tested and reviewed ideas to create the programme which currently exists; 2 Pop Up Community Lounges support local people within local places in the community at their earliest convenience. A permanent Community Lounge will be developed in the heart of Burslem to reinvigorate the Mother Town and bring a whole new life to what ‘community’ means and inspire other people/organisations to invest in Burslem to bring the heart back to the incredible town.  

 This first innovation site has a team who have the passion to take Burslem to the next level keeping community at the heart of what we do and the key principles of CLS at the forefront of this innovation team. 

Team Members:

Donna Elsmore – ASC, Stoke-on-Trent City Council 

Rachael Birks – Senior Service Manager – N. Staffordshire Combined Healthcare 

Natalie Shields –VAST Stoke on Trent  

Stephanie Lancaster ASC, Stoke-on-Trent City Council 

Vicki Gwynne – Middleport Matters Community Trust  

Rev Lydia Palmer – Rehoboth Community Hub 

Nicky Twemlow – YMCA N. Staffs 

Sadie Haynes – Port Vale FT

Julie Davies – Clinical Nursing Lead – Midland Partnership Foundation Trust  

Rachel Wooliscroft - Senior STR Lead – N. Staffs Combined Healthcare 

Dave Nixon – Number11 

Gill O’Hare ASC– Stoke-on-Trent City Council - CLS Lead 

Stephen Williams – Housing - Stoke-on-Trent City Council 

Laura Johnson – Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent