“It is critical to us to be able to describe the city, its vision and values. Not just to attract students, but also for future funding and research opportunities. The importance of a shared narrative means we have a shared language to describe our shared ambitions.”

– University of York

“The only Guild of Media Arts in the UK, we are delighted to have played a part in describing York’s story – it has also provided us with an opportunity to re-tell our own and be at the hub of York’s creative innovation ecosystem, a keystone of York’s future.”

– Guild of Media Arts

“The York Narrative has produced some interesting feedback from people who live and work in the city.  The BID is keen to expand its street art programme; telling stories through art as well as brightening unloved parts of the city.  The narrative has shown the appetite for more and we hope to work with both the public and partners to achieve this.”

– York BID

“Like many, we are keen to recruit outstanding health professionals in an increasingly competitive world.  Being able to attract professionals because they share the same values as the city puts us in a very strong position.”

– NHS Vale of York

“We were delighted to play such an active role, urban geography students helped shape the narrative through a series of workshops, inspiring some of them to now consider careers in place making.”

–  York College

“As the first Science Park in the country it was really important to us that the York Narrative reflects the role science and knowledge play in the city. We’ve been impressed with how relevant the story is to us.”

– York Science Park

“We were delighted to be part of such a comprehensive project that captures what makes York such a great place to live and work. We hope the output will help attract even more people and investment to this fantastic, vibrant city.”

– Hiscox UK

“We were delighted to play a small part at the start of the process, meeting Wayne Hemingway and sharing our pupils experiences of what it’s like to live in the city as a young person.”

– Manor Church of England Academy

“With our shared history, heritage and culture, York has always been a key partner in the Leeds City Region economy. Benefiting from excellent cross-country and digital connectivity, a skilled workforce and pioneering industries of the future, we can confidently state the relevance and value that York has to our region.”

– West Yorkshire Combined Authority

“It would be easy to dismiss York as a provincial market town if you didn’t really know it. This project has provided a framework and the confidence to allow us to share the unique and world-changing benefit that York brings.”

– York and East Riding LEP

“Mediale epitomises the spirit of the York Narrative – it captures the essence of York and curates that story to new audiences whether residents or visitors. We have been delighted to be part of the process to develop the narrative and look forward to telling the story in October 2020 and beyond.”

– Mediale

“I’m pleased that the Chamber has been able to play a role in shaping the development of the York Narrative and to represent the voice of business in that process. What has emerged from it is a set of values which are at once recognisably York, something for us as a city to feel proud of, and something that I hope might help to give a renewed sense of purpose and direction to the city’s economic development. So much of York’s amazing heritage only exists because of the people who over so many years have lived, worked and grown their businesses here and if we as a city can embrace the values of the Narrative, I think that they form a good platform for continuing that into the future, to the benefit of everyone in York.”

– York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

“We have been part of the process throughout the research and then development phase. The evidence base demonstrates the importance of focusing on human experience and inequality and that came out clearly in the narrative. It is now for our members to consider how they can best use the narrative to attract more volunteers, funding or opportunity to continue their good work.”

– York CVS

“I was delighted to be part of the process to develop the York Narrative and look forward to having access to the research to help with our future projects.”

– York: Human Rights City Network

“York Racecourse has an international reputation as it host races ranked in top ten in the world. The power of sport, broadcast around the globe, to attract visitors from near and far is demonstrated by the thousands of visitors to the Knavesmire and its home city, every year.  Working with partners on the narrative has helped us make sure the racecourse story can be told to new audiences.”

– York Racecourse

“We were only too aware of the number of competing stories about York that were in danger of drowning out the essence of this unique and incredible city. To rebalance the economy, attract inward investment, nuture talent and engage residents, we needed a different way of talking about York. From the outset, we knew our role was to facilitate a process that would allow as many stakeholders and residents as possible to shape what York means to them. That the narrative is so obviously York is a credit to all the people who took part in sharing their views.”

– City of York Council

“Our vision for York is a city where outstanding, renowned heritage comes together with a cutting- edge contemporary approach to creativity, and where culture is inclusive, relevant and accessible to everybody. The narrative gives us a way to talk about culture that celebrates our history while looking forward, and which puts people at the heart of our vision.”

– York Cultural Leaders Group

“At Make It York we’re committed to supporting York’s businesses, as the city’s destination management organisation. The narrative aligns perfectly with our focus on growing the city’s economic prosperity and wider wellbeing, through championing our history, our ability to innovate and catalyse change, and through putting people first.”

– Make It York

“I’m delighted the evidence shows how very important our beuatiful built heritage is to the city, and at the same time, how the city has continued to evolve and face challenges with forward thinking spirit.”

– York Civic Trust

“It’s a central theme in our new Strategic Plan launching in September, that we help our students recognise the potential opportunities York has, whether that’s on work placement, local Apprenticeship or for longer-term career aspirations. Having a framework to share how York has led the way in so many areas will help inspire and enthuse our current and prospective students.”

– Askham Bryan College

“As a university at the heart of York, the narrative provides us with a strategic framework and shared language so we can all be part of the city’s ambition.  As the post-covid19 future unfolds, the narrative will help us share the value of the York brand and develop new thinking and ways of working in partnership for the benefit of everyone connected to our city.”

– York St John University

“York Narrative is a project York Museums Trust has fully embraced in its approach to shaping a common direction for the future of the city. The core values are based on a firm foundation of robust research, capturing the conversations and thoughts of thousands of people from the city’s many communities and organisations. It has been a privilege to have been part of the process and fascinating to see the common threads which unite all of us who live here. We firmly believe in the core values established and will be adopting them into our programming so they shape everything we do as a cultural charity. We are excited by the focus and direction York Narrative has given us and look forward to working collaboratively to help shape the future image of this fantastic city.”

– York Museums Trust