When writing  the Stronger Communities Together strategy back in 2018 we spoke to over 630 people, it was then when local voices told us that we need a society based on shared values and responsibilities. As part of moving towards our vision as articulated in our strategy ‘of a place where everyone feels that they belong, are understood, feel safe and are able to fully participate in the opportunities the District offers’ – conversations on what these shared values could look like then  started.

During 2019, 241 conversations took place, where 97% people told us it was important as a district to have a set of shared values. We asked people what is important to us all, the things we stand for that unite us and bring us together. Conversations were held all around Bradford District, in businesses, public spaces, colleges, shopping centres and at the university.  Time and time again the same words kept coming up: protecting, caring, respecting, accepting, encouraging and kindness. Then a set of draft values were relayed back to communities through a public wide consultation.

An online survey ran from 18 January to 16 February 2020 which received 996responses.

As well as the online survey five pop up consultation events and three focus groups were held. A further 172 conversations took place with the public, community and faith groups, businesses and with young people across the district.

We are pleased to announce 1,409 conversations on what our shared values should look like have now taken place.

All the feedback collected has provided some real insights into what people thought about the proposed values. We are now able to understand what matters to people, how they think the values can be taken forward and what we need to do next.

In celebration of World Values Day, 21 October 2021, we launched our co-created shared values of Respecting, Caring, Sharing and Protecting.

These values are already being lived in our place, now we share them with every person, organisation, group and partnership!

Click here to find out how you can join our movement, live and celebrate our shared values.