Independent woman of the future

Sarah Shorrock began her journey at Stepping Stone Projects (SSP) in 2013 as a volunteer. By 2015, she was supporting young people and care leavers as a supported housing worker. Her dedication caught the attention of Lancashire County Council, where she was seconded to co-ordinate a youth homelessness prevention project.

 

In 2020, Sarah was appointed operations manager at SSP, where she managed accommodation and support services for more than 100 young and care experienced people. Even in the face of life-threatening illness, Sarah’s dedication never wavered. While undergoing treatment for cancer, she continued to inspire her team and lead with compassion.

 

As SSP’s digital transformation manager, Sarah led the organisation’s ambitious digital strategy. She introduced a new customer portal, launched a freephone service for residents, rolled out free Wi-Fi across multiple schemes and piloted broadband for dispersed homes.

 

Sarah’s personal journey has given her deep insight into the challenges faced by vulnerable young people, and she has consistently used this insight to shape her professional work. She embodies the qualities of resilience, vision and leadership – a true woman of the future. 

 

The judges said:

“Brilliant submission. Her personal journey is deeply inspiring, and her impact across innovation, tech, customer experience and campaigning is significant. Her values are clearly lived, not just described. A standout candidate”