Businessman Ed Bassett has taken on a new role putting his business skills to use in the charity sector with Stoke-on-Trent Youth Collective.
Here, he talks about the path that led him there and why the support of local businesses is key to helping the city’s young people.
“I spent a couple of rewarding decades in business development for big oil and gas companies, living and travelling overseas before redundancy and divorce forced a life change and a return to Staffordshire where I grew up.
After working out who I was and what I enjoyed, I went self employed from there. That was in the form of a not-so-successful yoga studio, then a climbing centre and a campervan hire business.
I’m working on another venture and coach men as well as working for the Stoke Youth Collective in business development, which I previously chaired. We represent Stoke’s youth charities, working closely with the local authorities and businesses to elevate young people in the city.
It seems the right thing to bring my business skills to the charity sector. We all have moments when we wish, or indeed need, to find a different path. I am grateful for the opportunities and the direction my life has taken. At the same time, we need to open our own doors and then leave them open for others to walk behind us, hence the decision to work with the Collective.
Stoke already excels in its social enterprise. We are caring people. We have all the right people on the bus in Stoke, with a long-term strategy to support the next generation. The government are backing Stoke in a Youth Pilot to develop our young people nationwide and we are all pushing hard for better outcomes, stronger communities and better town centres. Stoke’s time is now.
The Collective and it’s co delivery partners are aiming high and understand that businesses want to assist with work experience, apprenticeships, employment, CSR options and funding. The Collective aims to deliver high impact projects impacting Stoke’s next generation and welcomes new businesses onboard.
Business is about people ultimately and people care a great deal about where they were born. From sole traders, to SME’s to Bet365 or JCB, it glues communities and economies together not just through employment but by providing purpose. We believe the way to drive forward communities is working long term, and collaboratively, with businesses, social entrepreneurs, charities, the local authorities and to support our next generation. Are you in?”
Businesses interested in getting involved can contact Ed via his LinkedIn page here.
