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Sheffield Social Enterprise Conference

Sheffield Social Enterprise Conference, city's biggest celebration of social enterprise, with keynote Rob Hopkins and inspiring workshops.

Sheffield Social Enterprise Conference
Join us on Thursday 26 February for the Sheffield Social Enterprise Conference, the largest celebration of social enterprise the city has ever hosted. Curated by the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, the event will bring together social enterprises, researchers, system leaders and changemakers from across South Yorkshire to learn, connect and celebrate the vital contribution the sector makes to our communities and economy.

Hosted at Sheffield Business School, the conference will be headlined by Rob Hopkins, founder of the global Transition movement and a leading voice on community-led responses to social, economic and environmental change. Drawing inspiration from his latest book, How to Fall in Love with the Future, Rob’s keynote will challenge participants to go beyond survival and reimagine compelling visions for a thriving future.

The programme includes a dedicated workshop on mission drift led by academics from Sheffield Business School, blending research insight with practical experience to help social enterprises grow without losing sight of their purpose.

Thanks to support from Sheffield Business School, Sheffield City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the South Yorkshire Innovation Programme, the conference is free to attend and open to social entrepreneurs, sustainability professionals, academics and anyone passionate about using enterprise to drive positive change.

FOOD WORKS - Growing in small urban spaces - designing square metre beds and container gardens!

Small garden? Balcony? No garden? No problem! It's totally possible to grow delicious and fresh veggies in small spaces. In this workshop we'll show you how to make the most of small spaces - whether that's training crops to grow vertically, using pots and containers on patios, or  dedicating a small patch of grass to food growing, we'll show you how you can make the most of the space you have. 

Sheffield Social Enterprise Social

Join us for an informal Social at the Showroom Cinema Bar.

This is a chance to unwind, connect, and continue the conversations sparked during the day. Whether you're a seasoned social entrepreneur or just starting out, come along to meet like-minded people, share ideas, and build new collaborations over a drink.

No speeches, no agenda—just good company and great conversation. Drop in, grab a drink, and be part of Sheffield’s thriving social enterprise community!

*Sheffield Social Enterprise Network will not be providing drinks or catering.

The Work that Reconnects

How can we respond to our feelings about world issues in ways that help us act for positive change? Join Emma Woods from Flourish Economics for a 2.5 hour workshop that introduces the spiral of the Work that Reconnects, a transformative process that strengthens our capacity for Active Hope.

If you’re feeling discouraged, defeated or disillusioned about the future, you’re not alone. Many of us feel this way, so what can we do to counter this despair?

The Work that Reconnects moves us through four different processes to help us move from feeling overwhelmed by the world’s complex challenges, to enlivened and empowered to take action for positive change.

In this 2.5 hour facilitated process we will learn how practicing gratitude, honouring our pain for the world and seeing through new eyes can resource and fuel our passion for positive change. It will also offer practices and inspiring perspectives which can help us find our role in shaping an alternative, more hopeful future.

This is an introduction to the Work that Reconnects. As part of the festival, Emma will also be facilitating a 7 week Active Hope Co-learning group which will offer a more immersive experience into all areas of the Work that Reconnects.

NeepsEnders Community Comedy Club at The Gardeners Rest, Neepsend

Join us at Neepsends community pub, the Gardeners Rest – Sheffield’s beloved community pub – for a full on community comedy night that brings everyone together.

🕗 7:30pm–9pm – New Material Showcase: established comedians try out fresh jokes, raw ideas, and big laughs in the making.
🕤 9:15pm–late – Open Mic: the stage opens up for anyone and everyone – whether you’re a first-timer, a seasoned comic, or just fancy giving it a go.

Neeps Enders is all about community, creativity, and connection. Come for the comedy, stay for the atmosphere and be part of Sheffield’s newest comedy family.

📍 The Gardeners Rest, Neepsend, Sheffield
🍻 A proper community pub with real ale, riverside views and stand-up comedy.

Pivot to Enterprise: Enterprise for Charities

Are you a charity or community organisation exploring new ways to generate income?

Join Jodie Marshall from Mantle for our “Pivot to Enterprise” session, designed specifically for charities and voluntary sector organisations who are considering enterprise, setting up a CIC, or spinning out a new enterprise. If you’ve ever wondered what “enterprise” really means for the charity sector, or felt confused by the hype around CICs and grant funding, this session is for you.

You’ll get clear, honest answers about enterprise for charities. We’ll bust common myths about CICs, grants, and legal structures, and help you understand what funders and commissioners are actually looking for. The session offers practical next steps in a supportive, jargon-free environment.

This is perfect for charity leaders, trustees, and teams who want to understand the real opportunities and challenges of enterprise. Let’s help you make informed, confident decisions about your organisation’s future.

The Writers Workshop - Writers Day 2026

Writer’s Day 2026 is a chance to spend a whole day immersed in writing, ideas and conversation, alongside others who care deeply about the craft.

Across the day, you can expect a mix of practical writing workshops, thought-provoking talks and generous discussion. Sessions are designed to get you writing, help you reflect on your practice and open up new ways of thinking about voice, form and process. There is space for both focused work and curiosity, whether that is drafting new material, revisiting something half-finished, or simply listening and absorbing.

Between sessions, there is time to pause, chat and connect with other writers, swap experiences and feel part of a wider creative community. The atmosphere is supportive, encouraging and grounded in the belief that writing is something you learn by doing, together.

You can dip into different sessions across the day or settle into a slower pace, taking what you need from the programme. Expect inspiration, practical tools, fresh perspectives and the quiet satisfaction of having spent a day seriously engaged with your writing.

Food Works - Ornamental and Edible - Introduction to growing edible flowers & edible dye flowers

This workshop will introduce you to what annual and perennial flowers you can plant that are beautiful and edible! Planting flowers in your garden not only makes adds colour and interest, but it is brilliant for introducing pollinators and beneficial insects. 

As well as showing you what plants you can grow to eat, (adding excitement and nutrition to your plates), we'll also show you the magic of certain edible flowers that you can also use to make natural dyes! 

International Women’s Day Comedy Night in aid of YWCA Yorkshire

Hosted by April Louise and Nicole Scott, with six brilliant female comedians joining them on stage, that’s eight women bringing big laughs for a powerful cause.

This is a Gags for Good CIC event, using comedy to create connection and raise money for women and young women across Yorkshire.

All performers are donating their time, so every ticket sold goes directly to the cause.

Come celebrate women. Come laugh loudly. Come support something that matters.

Better Business Breakfast | Sheffield

Networking, with purpose.

Breakfast networking is back in Sheffield! Now you can have a coffee and a croissant, and a good natter with other purpose-driven business leaders all before you check your emails.

Organised and hosted by The Better Business Network (BBN), these events are designed to connect those working in the impact-driven and purpose-led space to grow impact and income, while working to create change together. 

Structured networking with a BBN twist, come for the conversations and stay for the community.

🎤 Open Room Comedy Present Sin & Tonic Comedy Club at The Beaten Track 🎤

Show up, go up… but with a twist! We’ve got some of the UK’ss finest comedians pre-booked alongside brand-new voices ready to grab the mic.

📅 When: Sign-ups from 7pm | Comedy from 7:45pm
📍 Where: The Beaten Track at the Wig & Pen, Campo Lane, Sheffield
💸 Tickets: FREE Entry – but must be booked via Eventbrite due to limited capacity

🍔 Bonus: Show your ticket at the bar for 30% off food and 10% off drinks!

Guiding you through the night is local comedian James Hashem, a veteran who traded camouflage for comedy. Turns out laughter really is the best weapon.

Resilience Tools for Social Enterprises

Resilience Tools for Social Enterprises: What tools and techniques from the world of wellbeing can be adapted to Social Enterprises to help bring a sense of emotional, financial, practical and team resilience? This 90 minute workshop will explore a range of ideas that can help your social enterprise navigate the turbulent waters of everyday life in 2026.

Mindfulness walk with Open Gates Outdoors and Unfurling

A mindful walk led by George Yates of Open Gates Outdoors including forest bathing led by Helen Todd of Unfurling. The walk will include the woodland paths to Wymingbrook and beyond on to the majestic Head Stone before continuing to Oaking Clough and along High Lad Ridge to Stanage Pole before returning via Redmires Reservoirs. As well as the forest bathing the walk will include several points of interest and tales of local legend. The full walk will be approximately 10 miles although we will avoid rushing at all costs so will shorten the walk if necessary to keep it relaxed and mindful.

Can a doughnut make Sheffield fairer?

How can Sheffield become a home to thriving people in a thriving place, while

respecting the wellbeing of all people and health of the whole planet?

Join Emma Woods from Flourish Economics for a 2.5 hour participatory

workshop to find out and understand what it would mean for Sheffield to live

“in the doughnut”.

Sustainability Netwalking: March

Come and take full advantage of this great opportunity where you can meet new people, build relationships and expand your network whilst exploring nature!

For our March Sustainability Netwalking event we'll be paying a visit to the historic Ecclesall Woods. We will meet at the visitor centre car park off Abbey Lane. The session will begin with us introducing ourselves in one sentence followed by walking, mixing and talking. The walk itself will last around one hour. Afterwards those that want to can join us for a coffee and some deeper connecting and networking.

Details

Meeting time: 9:15am

Walking Start time: 9:30am

Distance: 3 miles

Why The Enterprise Really Matters: Strengthening Your Social Enterprise

Already running a social enterprise? Ready to level up your business model and impact?

Join Jodie Marshall from Mantle for “Why The Enterprise Really Matters,” a masterclass created for established social enterprises who want to become more robust, commercial, and impact-led. This session goes beyond “should we trade?” It’s all about building a stronger, more sustainable enterprise.

You’ll explore how resilient and commercial your current model really is, learn about common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and discover practical ways to link enterprise activity to real social impact.

Connect with peers facing similar challenges and leave with clear, actionable ideas to strengthen your organisation for the future.

Where: Showroom 5, The Showroom, Sheffield City Centre

Ammi’s Kitchen Community Lunch

Ammi’s Kitchen is delighted to host a special Community Lunch as part of the Festival of Social Enterprise 2026. Join us for a delicious, cultural meal prepared by our Chefs heritage, alongside a vibrant showcase of products from our social enterprise and fellow local changemakers. This event is a wonderful opportunity to discover unique local makers, support social businesses, and connect with your community over great food and conversation.

Food Works - Nature-friendly food growing: Companion planting, natural fertilisers and natural pest control!

At the Food Works farm, they grow in a nature-friendly way - working to nourish the land which nourishes us. In this workshop, they will share techniques of nature-friendly food growing. From planting companion plants to encourage pollinators and beneficial insects, to showing how you can create your own natural fertilisers - without chemicals! 

The Growth Company - Partner Networking Morning

Join The Growth Company for a welcoming Partner Networking Morning in Sheffield, bringing together people and organisations who are passionate about making a difference across South Yorkshire. This in-person session is a chance to connect, share ideas and spark collaboration with third sector organisations, social enterprises, health and wellbeing providers, employability professionals and others working to improve lives and create opportunities in our communities. Whether you are a long-standing partner or new to the sector, come along for great conversations, fresh perspectives and practical connections that can lead to real impact. Spaces are limited, so booking is recommended.

Tour and intro to Portland Works

Step inside one of Sheffield’s most iconic industrial buildings with a guided tour of Portland Works, the birthplace of stainless steel cutlery production. As part of the Festival of Social Enterprise, the Portland Works team will share the story of this Victorian cutlery factory turned community-owned, not-for-profit business, now providing affordable workshop space for makers and small businesses. The tour focuses mainly on the yard and exterior spaces, so which tenant areas are open will vary, but there is always plenty to see, including renovation works in progress led by volunteers.

The tour is free, with a suggested £5 donation to support the ongoing restoration. Please allow 1 to 2 hours and come prepared for a working heritage site: access is currently limited with lots of steps, uneven floors and steep staircases, so do contact the team in advance to discuss arrangements on 0114 275 9354. Wrap up warm and wear sensible shoes. Metered parking is available on Hill Street and surrounding roads. Children are welcome but must be closely supervised throughout.

Printed by Us - Screen Printing Workshop

In this workshop you will learn how Printed by Us, a Social Enterprise as part of The Archer Project, utilises the craft of hand screen-printing to empower and rehabilitate previously homeless individuals.

You’ll be guided through every stage of the screen-printing process, from learning how we expose screens to mixing your own ink colours. Then, using your own one-colour design (sent to us ahead of time), you’ll set up your screen on our carousel and print onto two organic cotton T-shirts or tote bags.

You’ll also have the chance to hand-print our ‘Printing Positive Change’ design onto A4 paper, giving you a feel for how textile and paper printing differ.

This is an introductory workshop suitable for all skill levels; All materials are provided and extra garments can be added on the day if you’d like to print more.

Sheffield Social Enterprise Network members and SEGA participants will receive an excusive discount - email april@ssen.org.uk for the discount code.

Cultivating Active Hope for the Future

Active Hope Training is a 7 week course that takes you through the ideas and practices of the Work that Reconnects.

Building on work by Joanna Macy, the Work that Reconnects supports us to move away from discouragement and disillusion about the world’s problems by cultivating Active Hope for the future, through weekly practices, reflections and discussions during our weekly Zoom calls.

Each week there are 60-90 minutes of videos and articles to engage with through the Active Hope course. To bring these teachings to life, we’ll meet weekly via Zoom in a relaxed, supportive space where you can explore the content, connect with others and strengthen your ability to make a difference in the world.

Contact emma@flourisheconomics.com for more information