About us

Leeds for Change is an online platform that helps its users find venues, events, information, groups and people in Leeds who work towards shared values of solidarity, equality and justice.

We believe that when we are better connected, and able to share resources, we can overcome collective challenges and make our movement stronger, louder and more powerful.

History of Leeds for Change

Leeds for Change was born in 2014 when three organisations working for change in Leeds came together: Leeds Tidal, Taking Soundings and Together for Peace. They wanted to create a platform that inspires people to make change, encourages people to get together, and makes it as easy as possible to find out what is going on in their local community. Since then, Leeds for Change has evolved into a standalone project of Leeds Tidal’s. It is managed by 14 hours a month of paid staff time, alongside our dedicated volunteers and steering group members.

Community Ownership

The project is financially and legally administered through Leeds Tidal. However it is proudly community-led, and governed by a steering group of volunteers who meet every quarter. If you are interested in the governance of the platform we would love you to join our Steering Committee. Being on the Committee means giving 2 hours of your time to quarterly meetings; to input ideas on how to further develop our platform’s tools, resources and structures. Please email info@leedsforchange.org.uk to find out more.

Our values

Solidarity

By solidarity, we mean actively working with the marginalised and excluded, allowing those affected to take the lead in setting agendas and goals. We want to transform the relationships of power that lead to oppression. We aim to work together with anyone marginalised and excluded because of their gender, class, race, nationality, (dis)ability, religion, sexual orientation, wealth, immigration status and other lines of oppression.

‘If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together’
Lilla Watson 1985

Equality

We advocate radical structural change designed to achieve much greater levels of equality; we want to see fully equal participation in political affairs by people from every walk of life; we want to ensure that the voices of the marginalised are given as much consideration as those of the privileged; we want to sharply reduce the cultural, economic and social inequalities that prevail today. We support those who campaign for equality in all sectors of society.

‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour’
Maya Angelou

Justice

We believe that people should be treated with justice and humanity whatever their status, and that everyone has equal rights before the law. We recognise that this principle is frequently flouted, with the most vulnerable groups being treated unjustly too often, and we support all efforts to secure justice for people and the environment.

‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, then you have chosen the side of the oppressor’
Desmond Tutu 1984

Site Moderation Notice

Leeds for Change reserves the right to reject groups who don’t work in line with our values of Solidarity, Equality and Justice. Once submitted your group will be reviewed by our Moderator. If rejected, groups have the right to appeal the decision made.