Stoke on Trent College Strengthens Commitment to Inclusion with Proud Stoke Space Launch
Stoke on Trent College was pleased to announce the launch of its Proud Stoke Space commitment on Thursday 11 June, becoming the first education provider in Stoke-on-Trent to sign the Proud Stoke Space Inclusion Pledge.
By signing the pledge, the College joined organisations across the City in publicly committing to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion, challenge discrimination and create spaces where everyone feels valued and able to be themselves.
The Proud Stoke Space Inclusion Pledge forms part of the city-wide One Stoke-on-Trent campaign to build social trust and community cohesion, delivered in partnership with Project 93. Through the pledge, organisations commit to creating welcoming and supportive environments, undertaking LGBTQ+ awareness training, and recognising inclusion as an ongoing journey of learning and improvement. Participating organisations also display the Proud Stoke Space symbol, helping LGBTQ+ people identify safe and inclusive spaces across the city.
The launch is a reflection of the College’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for students, colleagues and the wider community. This commitment is further demonstrated through a range of initiatives embedded across the College, including its active LGBTQIA+ Student Voice Forum and the recently launched Colleague Voices – LGBT+ Voices platform.
The College’s inclusive culture is reflected in feedback from both staff and students. One member of staff described the College as “a really inclusive college”, highlighting the work undertaken to promote equality, diversity and inclusion through training, awareness activities and celebration of inclusive practices. Another commented that “it feels like a family as inclusion is embedded throughout.”
Principal and Chief Executive, Hassan Rizvi, said:
“Becoming a Proud Stoke Space is an important milestone in our journey, but it is not the destination. It reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a culture where inclusion is lived every day and where diversity is celebrated. This pledge demonstrates our determination to build a college community that is welcoming, supportive and inclusive for all.”
The launch event took place on Thursday 11 June at the College’s Cauldon Campus from 10.30am until 2pm.
