ICS Health and Care People Team named as finalist for The Learning Awards 2025

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System’s (ICS) Health and Care People Outreach Team has been named as a finalist in the forthcoming The Learning Awards 2025.

The ICS Outreach team partnered with AmityHub, a Newcastle-under-Lyme based support service for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people with lived experience of care, making a new start in the local area, and Stoke-on-Trent College, to create an innovative Summer School Programme.  

The programme has been recognised for its approach in developing skills and opportunities for the learners who had a prolonged absence from education over the summer break, and is shortlisted in the ‘Innovation in Learning – Programme Award’ category.

Delivering a holistic combination of academic learning, wellbeing and resilience support, the programme has helped to develop employability and career opportunities for the 12 young people who participated.

Souradj, who participated in the seven-week Summer School, said: “I wanted to come to the Summer School because it will help me in my future. I would recommend the Summer School to others, to learn and see how helpful it is.”

Khor, who also took part, commented: “It helped me to improve skills for the future and to improve my English as well. I would recommend others to come join us, it was amazing.”

Mish Irvine, Chief People Officer Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), said, “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the 2025 Innovation in Learning Programme Award. The Summer School Programme demonstrates our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, a national inclusion programme as part of the government strategy to address inequalities and support people in having an equal opportunity into employment.

“The Summer School Programme is a fantastic example of empowering young asylum seekers and refugees with lived experience of care to maximise their potential towards a future within the health and care sector. It is a phenomenal achievement to make the shortlist for the Learning Awards, and I look forward to the awards ceremony in February 2025.”

Ruth Beard, Outreach and Inclusion Manager, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS), added “The development of the programme followed discussions with AmityHub and Stoke-on-Trent College, who were both keen to get involved in an innovative and creative new venture. AmityHub’s mission statement, ‘Making Pathways, Moving Mountains for Young People and their Community’ aligns with the ICS Outreach team’s key principles and the current NHS Long Term Workforce Plan – to support under-represented communities across our diverse and growing local geography into the health and social care sector.”

“We know that helping and supporting people into work is good for their mental health, reduces health inequalities and aligns with our ICS Improving Population Health agenda. Twelve young people started and completed the 7-week holistic course; the learners told us that they can’t believe the support and encouragement we have given them and how valued they feel. They have a positive outlook as they return to college, knowing that their English and Maths skills have been maintained and enhanced during the programme.”

Antoinette Lythgoe, Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO at Stoke-on-Trent College, said,

“We were delighted to be part of the Summer School project, alongside teams at Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System and the AmityHub. The project has supported learners and helped them to fill the summer gap between academic years, where their levels of learning may dip.

It is crucial to attain and practice these skills as they are transferable into most areas of work, including those in the health and social care sector. We are thrilled and proud that our tutor has also received so much positive feedback about the courses and that the programme has been included in the list of finalists for this prestigious award.”

Cath Roberts, Project Coordinator at AmityHub, added “When we were approached with the idea of the Summer School programme by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) Health and Care People Outreach Team we thought it was a fantastic idea for our young people. We know that young learners often reach a certain level of education at college, and then find their levels drop during such a long summer break. The Summer School programme proved how beneficial this opportunity was for young learners, to maintain and improve their skills in preparation for their return to college in September. The learner’s attitudes towards the courses were fantastic, and we thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the 7-week programme.”

The Learning Awards is a global event celebrating individuals and organisations from around the world, honouring those who embed innovation and excellence into their contribution to progressing learning and development within their respective fields. The awards ceremony takes place in London on 13 February 2025. The full list of finalists can be found online.