Aviva announced as headline sponsor of the Festival of Social Enterprise 2026
Sheffield, February 2026 — Aviva, the UK’s leading diversified insurer, has become the exclusive headline sponsor of the 2026 Festival of Social Enterprise and a Patron Member of the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network (SSEN).
One of the UK’s largest annual celebrations of Social Enterprise, the Festival will run from the 24th February to the 26th March 2026 and will include more than 20 mostly free or highly subsidised events throughout the city facilitated by local social enterprises, including:
Community meals and workshops
Nature based wellbeing sessions
Creative arts and cultural events
Practical sustainability workshops
Film screenings
Talks, panel discussions and skills sessions for social entrepreneurs and community leaders.
The Festival’s 2026 theme, “Building a Resilience Commons for Sheffield”, reflects a growing recognition that long term resilience depends on strong relationships, shared resources and a thriving social economy rooted in place. Through its sponsorship, Aviva is helping to fund the facilitation of activities by local social enterprises and to ensure broad public access to the programme.
David Schofield, Sustainability Director of Social Action at Aviva, said:
“We are proud to strengthen our relationship with the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network as both a Patron Member and the headline sponsor of the Festival of Social Enterprise. Social enterprises play a vital role in building stronger, more sustainable communities, and this partnership is an example of Aviva’s place-based approach, helping the UK get ready for the future. The Festival is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the energy, creativity and impact of the city’s Impact Economy.”
Terry Murphy, CEO of SSEN, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Aviva as a Patron Member and incredibly grateful for their support as exclusive sponsor of the 2026 Festival of Social Enterprise. This investment helps us create a citywide programme that is open, inclusive and rooted in community. It ensures that cost is not a barrier for people who want to take part in learning, cultural and wellbeing activities across the Festival.It enables local social enterprises to share their work with the public and strengthens the role of Social Enterprising as a key part of Sheffield’s future economy.”