Ethos and Values

Ethos Our ethos is an expression of our character - it is a statement of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all that we do. Inspired by the life, message and example of Jesus, and motivated by a belief in God’s unconditional love for all people, our desire is to demonstrate  Christian faith in action by seeking justice and unlocking the creative potential of people in our local communities and wider society. We seek to express this commitment by enabling and empowering those outside Codia and our colleagues internally in accordance with our values and the standards set out in the Faithworks Charter. From this Christ-centred ethos flows our commitment to model compassion, inclusion, equality and respect for diversity throughout every aspect of the life and culture of our organisation. While this ethos is given life through our relationships, our relationships - the way we work together and behave with one another - are a demonstration and authentication of our ethos. It is through these relationships, with each other and those whom we seek to serve, that we are able to practice our ethos. Our ethos, or motivation, and therefore our relationships, are rooted in our faith in Jesus and his love, which compels us to serve others, putting their needs first. When we work together it is this faith which directs and influences our internal relationships as well as our work with those who Codia is seeking to serve. In this way, Codia operates on the understanding that our activities are simply an outworking of our faith; that our “doing” derives from our “being”. There is an essential and indissoluble link between the inner and the outer, the private life and the public face of Codia. The link between who we are and what we do cannot be broken. Values Volunteers: Our best assets are our people, recruited because they are the right people for the job - people focused on developing the personal and vocational potential of those we serve, and on empowering and enabling them to succeed. Diversity: We value each individual and will protect their right to freedom and choice. We will work actively against discrimination and social exclusion, and seek equal opportunity for all. Therefore, we will respect the beliefs and practices of faiths other than Christianity and work to ensure that Codia and all its activities provide a welcoming environment for people of all faiths and none. We have a commitment to diversity and reflect this in the way we operate and deliver our services as an organisation. The Environment: We believe it is our duty to protect the environment through a commitment to sustainability and bio-diversity. We will therefore exercise wisdom, integrity and responsibility in the use of all resources entrusted to us. Learning: We are committed to the belief that everyone is a learner - whether client or volunteer. We therefore aspire to create a culture of learning, where every person we work with is enabled to realise their potential. We are committed to the holistic, 360-degree development of our clients and volunteers. Responsibility: We will seek to ensure that all people we work with understand that each person thrives best when they take responsibility for their own learning and development, and behave in a way that considers the needs of others. Innovation: We will encourage creative vision, thinking and problem solving, seeking to pioneer new methods, develop fresh perspectives, and embrace innovation, change and challenge. Enterprise: Our commitment is to assist our clients to become informed and active participators in community, culture and society. We will seek to inspire people to aspire, and to support their development as individuals who have a strong sense of self-confidence, and who are able to explore questions, seek solutions and make informed decisions. Integrity: We believe that honesty, openness, respect for others, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in service are essential ingredients of a mature, entrepreneurial spirit. Community: We will seek to contribute to the social, cultural and spiritual development and health of the local community, working in partnership, wherever appropriate, with other local bodies and agencies to maximise integration and impact. Inclusion: We are committed to providing services which are open to all, and which specifically recognise and meet the requirements of those who need extra/special support. Our focus will always be on how we create and sustain inclusive activity in our local community/communities. Teamwork: We value collaboration. We believe that each individual has a unique contribution to make to Codia. Leadership: We believe that the delivery of our vision and the development of good teamwork are dependent on the quality of leadership at all levels of Codia's life and culture. Excellence: We believe that excellence in service is achieved through a blend of high quality facilities and outstanding personnel, mixed with clear leadership, positive and affirming educational/professional environments, and the commitment to identify and develop talent. Fun: We believe that all people work hardest, learn best and flourish when they enjoy what they are doing. We will therefore seek to encourage the celebration of learning, personal and vocational development (no matter how small or large), and achievement. The Faithworks Charter is the working expression of our Ethos and Values Statement Click here to read the Faithworks Charter