Connecting understands that people do not have equal access to resources and that many people living in the Bellingen Shire face barriers to overcoming disadvantage.

Yet we all have untapped strength, resilience and the potential to thrive.

Our love of humanity and the planet drive a spirit of gratitude and generosity in all that we do.

We are committed to our own organisational learning and the continual learning of the people we serve.

Respect for each other and ourselves.

Integrity - Having the courage of our convictions, being fair, honest, and transparent.

Compassion - Caring for our community, the people we serve, and ourselves.

Inclusion - Appreciating difference, being open, and fostering participation and belonging.

Safety - Safeguarding the security and wellbeing of our clients, the environment, and ourselves.

Community-driven - Being connected and responsive to local strengths, priorities, and needs.

Our Shared Behaviours are driven by our values. They are the behaviours that we strive for and expect of ourselves and each other.

• Listening deeply

• Communicating with courtesy and courage

• Being curious about other people’s points of view

• Maintaining confidentiality

• Being supportive with empathy, not pity

• Being responsible for ourselves and our own learning

• Doing what we say we will do

• Genuinely seeking to resolve conflict

• Choosing shared achievement over individual gain

• Taking care of our environment

• Taking risk seriously

• Being safe

• Understanding and following the organisation’s policies, procedures and code of ethics

The right of people to make choices in their own lives.

The right of people to dignity, respect, privacy and confidentiality.

The right of people to be valued as individuals.

The right of people to access services on a non-discriminatory basis.

The right of the community to have accountable and responsive service provision.