How Leeds Anchor Networks Are Building a Stronger City Together  

This month, a diverse group of leaders and organisations from across Leeds came together for an event ‘Anchored in Community’- an afternoon that celebrated and made the most of the unique collaborative spirit that Team Leeds is so well known for.   

Representatives from the Leeds Anchors Network, Leeds Business Anchors, Leeds Community Anchor Network, and various voluntary and community organisations gathered to explore a crucial theme: listening well to communities and working together across sectors to drive meaningful change.  

This event wasn’t just about sharing information, it was a brilliant demonstration of the immense value that an Anchor Network can bring to a city. When civic, business and community anchors come together, they create a powerful ecosystem for sharing best practices, knowledge exchange, fostering innovation and delivering measurable benefits for local people.  

Why Anchor Networks Matter: A Leeds Perspective  

Leeds is a city that understands the power of collaboration. Our Anchor Networks exemplify this, acting as ambassadors and leaders for collaboration and progress. Our speakers and attendees showcased a wide variety of the work that is ongoing towards our Best City Ambition to tackle poverty and inequality and improve the quality of life for everyone that calls Leeds home.  

• Bridging Divides, Building Trust: We heard from Eileen Brown (Northern Gas Networks) and Stuart Jolley (Luminate Education Group) from the Leeds Anchor Network. Their work as civic commissioners for the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission highlighted how co-producing solutions with people who have lived experience of poverty leads to more authentic and effective engagement principles. This cross-sector dialogue is crucial for building trust and ensuring that initiatives truly resonate with the people they aim to serve.   

• Healthwatch shared insights from The Big Leeds Chat, an inspiring initiative where decision-makers actively went into communities to hear directly about what makes for good health. This direct engagement ensures that health and care strategies are genuinely community-led. Read more about The Big Leeds Chat here:  The Big Leeds Chat – Your Heathwatch Leeds

• Unlocking Transformative Partnerships: Wendy Carter (Leeds Building Society), Adam Brannen (Leeds City Council), and Elissa Newman (Holbeck Together) showcased the £16m Heart of Holbeck programme. This ambitious neighbourhood regeneration project is a testament to what can be achieved when public, private and community partners collaborate from the outset, ensuring the community remains at the heart of significant investment.  

• Deeper understanding: Paul Barker (Space 2) and Andrea Edwards (New Wortley Community Association) from the Leeds Community Anchor Network presented findings from their citywide listening exercise. This deep dive into what matters to communities across all Leeds wards provides invaluable insights. You can read the full findings here:  LCAN Listening Exercise year one evaluation report

 

Find out more about the Leeds Anchors Networks  

The ‘Anchored in Community’ event underscored the immense power of collective listening and cross-sector collaboration and the vital role each organisation plays within our city. By working together, Leeds civic, business, and community anchors are not just sharing best practices; they are actively creating a more resilient, responsive, and thriving city for everyone.   

To follow progress and keep up to date with what the Leeds Anchors are doing visit:  

• Leeds Anchor Network and Leeds Business Anchors or sign up to the Inclusive Growth Partnership: Join Our Partnership – Inclusive Growth Leeds

• To find out more about LCAN see link: Leeds Community Anchor Network – Doing Good Leeds

Article written by Cat Lindley (Leeds City Council) and photos from James Pawlowski.

 

 

Voluntary Action Leeds