Trent Headwaters Community Consultation

Going to the source

Transforming the Trent Headwaters is a short-term project exploring the opportunities for future community and heritage projects in and around the headwaters of the River Trent. The headwaters are made up of the River Trent where it rises in Biddulph Moor, and its tributaries in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

We are a partnership project with a long-term ambition: to transform the Trent landscape by improving it for people and wildlife. Over 18-months to September 2025, we will be talking to families, communities and groups to understand what work is needed to support access to the environment, develop people’s connection with local heritage and help nature to survive and thrive.

We need your help. Our plan is to take what we have learned in this short-term project and apply for future funding to deliver the ambitious projects you have helped us to develop.

Community engagement and consultation

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Support Staffordshire are working together with the communities of Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Biddulph. We want to learn how people access and use parks, open spaces, woodlands and waterways and understand what the barriers are to accessing these community spaces.

What do we want to know?

We want to know what green spaces and watery spaces matter to you. Do you have a connection with nature and wildlife? If so, we’d love you to tell us about it.

What are you proud of locally and what do you feel needs improving?

We are interested in hearing about your experiences and connection to nature, wildlife, historical places and the environment.

Why do we want to know this?

We really want to understand what is important to you, why it is important and what you think needs to change.

We will use this information to identify what needs and opportunities there are so we can focus our efforts more efficiently.

At the moment we are still learning and exploring, but eventually we will take what we have learnt and turn it into a series of projects designed to really make a difference. We will then apply for funding to enable us to carry out these projects.

How to get involved

Have a chat with our communities team, let us know your thoughts on your local green and watery spaces.  Invite us to your local event, we are happy to attend and talk about our Transforming the Trent Valley Projects.


Meet our Communities Team

Tam Harrison is our Community and Environment Officer who is busy attending community events or meeting with and talking to different communities and groups. She would love to come and speak with your group or have a stall at your event.

Kathryn Kavanagh is our Community Activism Officer who is speaking to individuals across Stoke-on-Trent, Moorlands and Newcastle . If you would like her to come to an event, or attend community venue to local residents please get in touch.

For more information email TTTV@staffs-wildlife.org.uk, or complete the contact form on the website.

Suggest ideas

If you have an idea for a project, or want to share your thoughts about things that need improving, email us at TTTV@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers who can help with a series of citizen science activities that will be coming available in the next few months. We are currently looking for Wildlife Recording Volunteers so if you are interested please visit our volunteer page. Otherwise, keep checking back to find out about other opportunities as they come up.