Anti-discrimination campaign brings city together

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council's executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, and Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said: "It's been wonderful to finally see this campaign come to life across the city, making sure that everyone knows Leeds does not tolerate discrimination in any form. We've had a lot of positive feedback from communities and residents, and any negative comments we receive only highlight the importance of continuing this work. 

"Working towards strengthening social cohesion in our city is vital to ensure everyone feels like they belong and that they are and feel safe. Our ambition is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK and at the heart of this is our mission to tackle inequality. 

"We will continue to work with all our communities to tackle discrimination and build a safer and stronger Leeds." 

The Leeds Anchor Network which brings together 14 of the city's largest employers – including the council, NHS trusts, higher and further education, culture, and utilities, has also supported the campaign.

Professor Peter Slee, chair of the Leeds Anchor Network and Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: “The Leeds Anchor Network welcomes this campaign. Leeds is a city built on communities, partnership and collaboration, and this strength is reflected in our network. We are committed to inclusion, to listening to our communities, and to working with everyone in the city for a united approach to inclusive growth.”

Speaking up in support is also Leeds Older People's Forum, a network of third sector organisations working with and for older people.

Jo Volpe, chief executive of Leeds Older People’s Forum, said: "Leeds Older People's Forum is proud to support this important campaign from Leeds City Council. Ageism can lead to real harm—excluding older people from opportunities, reinforcing damaging stereotypes, and increasing loneliness and isolation. Our communities need this kind of support to challenge discrimination and promote respect across all ages. We all have a role to play in making Leeds a city where everyone feels valued."

Read more about the campaign at leeds.gov.uk/strongerleeds. 

ENDS

The campaign has sourced funding from the community recovery fund: Community Recovery Fund: Guidance - GOV.UK. This is a pot made available to areas who experienced unrest in 2024, and can be used for a range of things, including "To reduce the risk of further disorder in the future" and "To rebuild social trust and promote cohesion between communities".