Our Values and Behaviours
At Together Active, our values are at the heart of everything we do, guiding how we show up in our roles, with each other, and with partners and communities. We recognise that different roles may demonstrate these values in different ways. By living our values every day, we create a place where everyone can contribute, grow, feel valued, and make a real difference, shaping both our success and the positive impact we have on the communities we serve.
Creative
We embrace change and adapt with confidence, seeing challenges as opportunities to innovate. We celebrate creative contributions both internally and externally, and foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. Open to new ideas and diverse perspectives, we encourage creative thinking that aligns with Together Active’s vision and values, continually exploring new approaches to advance our shared goals.
Collaborative
We are supportive and approachable, offering help and encouraging others to do the same. We handle disagreements with understanding and apply Radical Candor consistently, sharing information to keep everyone included. Fully engaged in meetings and collaborative projects, we give constructive feedback, build on ideas, and seek opportunities to collaborate across teams and externally.
Inclusive
We value representation, equity, and diversity, welcoming feedback and encouraging diverse perspectives. Continuously learning from different backgrounds, we communicate thoughtfully and actively promote inclusion, accessibility, and underrepresented voices in all our work.
Compassionate
We show care and empathy for colleagues, actively listening and supporting them, fostering healthy work/life balance, and applying Radical Candor when needed. We communicate respectfully, maintain supportive relationships, and approach all interactions with kindness and understanding.
Happiness Manifesto
In January 2026, we launched our Happiness Manifesto. More than a document, it is a cultural statement about who we are and how we work.
It is our rallying cry for wellbeing, joy, and collective care at work. It reflects our vision for a healthier, more active Staffordshire, our 2024–2030 strategy, and our values of being Creative, Collaborative, Inclusive, and Compassionate. Most importantly, it shows that happiness and wellbeing are central to how we treat one another and how we serve our communities.
Shaped by Our Team
Our Happiness Manifesto was created by our team, for our team.
Through open conversations and workshops, we explored what happiness at work really looks like. When we asked what mattered most, clear themes emerged:
- Collaboration and connection
- Sharing knowledge and learning together
- Respecting each other’s time, boundaries, and wellbeing
We wanted to create something our colleagues could genuinely see themselves in. Not something imposed from above, but something built together. Because living what we preach as an organisation starts with listening.
Why It Matters
Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, challenges with mental and physical health are real and ongoing. Stress, long hours, and lack of balance at work can have a greater impact than we sometimes acknowledge.
We believe organisations have a responsibility to respond. Not just with policies, but with meaningful, everyday actions that make work feel healthier, more supportive, and more human.
As our CEO, Carly Jones, says:
“This manifesto is about creating the conditions for people to thrive, not just get through the week.”
“This manifesto is about creating the conditions for people to thrive, not just get through the week.”
Carly Jones – Together Active CEO
Our Commitment
Our Happiness Manifesto guides how we work, how we lead, and how we care for one another. It reminds us that wellbeing is not an ‘extra’, it is fundamental to our success.
If we want to create a healthier, more active Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, it starts with looking after our own Team. By nurturing happiness at work, we build stronger teams, better partnerships, and more positive impact in the communities we serve.
This is our commitment: to keep learning, listening, and growing together so that everyone at Together Active has the opportunity to thrive.