Manifesto Floor Flag presented at Leeds City Council meeting

On 9th July 2025, Sally Sutherland, Angie Thompson from Leeds Art Gallery, and Lyndsey Jakeman and Hayley Nobes from the Shine Project presented a deputation to Leeds City Council, based on our Manifesto Floor Flag project.

A deputation is a formal speech to the council chamber, allowing residents and researchers to present urgent community concerns and proposals for civic change. Ours shared the outcomes and recommendations from The Manifesto Floor Flag, a collaborative project developed through creative workshops at Leeds Art Gallery earlier this year, led by Sally Sutherland, with young women from Shine, Leeds Bosom Buddies breastfeeding support group and members of the public.

The Council voted unanimously in favour of the manifesto’s aims, endorsing a radical yet practical vision for Leeds to become a more caring, accessible and equitable city for families, caregivers and breastfeeding parents.

Key recommendations include:

- Prioritising safety and accessibility in civic spaces, with links to tackling gender-based violence.
- Providing access to free drinking water.
- Supporting breastfeeding through inclusive design, education and representation.
- Creating welcoming, free-to-access spaces for caregiving and rest.

As Sally explains, 'these interventions demonstrate how small, low-cost design changes can have transformative public impact. As stated in the speech, this is not solely about breastfeeding. It’s about recognising care as a public good, essential to sustaining urban life.'

Click here to watch a recording of the deputation.