Trentham Shopping Village has unveiled the ‘Heart of Stoke-on-Trent’ sculpture, an inspiring artwork, crafted with passion and dedication, symbolising the rich heritage and vibrant growth of the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent, while celebrating the themes of love and unity within the community.

The sculpture is the result of a collaborative effort, designed by students at Strathmore Collage and brought to life by the talented apprentices at IAE. Trentham Shopping Village has been chosen as the permanent home for this stunning tribute to the heart and spirit of Stoke-on-Trent.

Strathmore College is well-established in Stoke-on-Trent’s community, shaping the lives of young people and giving them the tools they need to succeed. Their goal is to provide students with the confidence, belief, and sense of belonging they need to thrive. They want to empower them to become independent, proud members of our local community as they transition into adulthood. This project was an amazing opportunity to work on a project to design the new sculpture for Trentham.  

Students Natasha and Saul, along with Strathmore’s art tutor Roberta, worked hard to bring their vision to life. They designed and drew the concept for the sculpture and then collaborated with the apprentices of IAE to turn their ideas into a stunning 3D model. It was an incredible experience that allowed the students to showcase their creativity and talent.

IAE were extremely pleased when Strathmore College approached them regarding a collaboration for the Heart of Stoke sculpture they had designed.

The collaboration gave apprentices at IAE the opportunity to test the skills they have learnt in the early stages of their apprenticeship during their time in our Apprenticeship Development Centre (ADC). The ADC is an on-site training facility dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and skills of IAE’s apprentices and covers everything from understanding technical drawings, right through to operating machines and learning how to MIG Weld.

Alex, who played a large role in welding the sculpture together, said: “I really enjoyed my involvement in the project, and whilst my peers and I each contributed only a small part, when it all came together we were very proud of the work we had achieved.”

“The skills I have learnt on my apprenticeship so far were paramount to this project, as I could not have contributed as much as I did without them. I look forward to seeing it in Trentham Shopping Village.”

The Heart of Stoke sculpture will stand at Trentham Shopping Village for many years to come, and serve as an excellent reminder for the love and unity within Stoke-on-Trent.