Sheffield Recommissions Trailblazing Programme to Support Social Enterprises
Sheffield City Council has recommissioned the Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator (SEGA), a flagship programme led by the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, after its first year exceeded expectations, achieving its stretch participation target four months ahead of schedule.
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the programme, relaunching on Monday 7th July, will continue to offer tailored support to help purpose-led organisations start, grow and thrive.
An independent evaluation confirmed the initial programme was both impactful and highly valued. Seventy-two percent of participants rated their experience four or five out of five, and nearly 90 percent wanted the programme to continue.
Participants will benefit from tailored diagnostic sessions, one-to-one consultancy, themed workshops, practical resources and structured peer support. The goal is not only to strengthen individual enterprises but also to grow the collective capacity and visibility of Sheffield’s social enterprise sector.
With a refreshed approach and a redesigned delivery model, the recommissioned programme promises to reach even further into Sheffield’s communities, working with early-stage entrepreneurs, established enterprises, and those looking to pivot or scale.
Sheffield’s social enterprises are active across food, culture, environment and health, often embedded in communities most affected by inequality and economic pressure. While their impact is significant, access to strategic, values-aligned business support has been limited. SEGA was created to bridge that gap, and this renewed investment ensures more organisations receive the support they need to thrive.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with Business Sheffield, Voluntary Action Sheffield, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, Purple Shoots and Opus Independents, each contributing vital local knowledge and a shared commitment to inclusive economic development.
Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, Chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:
"We’ve seen first-hand the impact social enterprises make in communities across Sheffield, often in the places that need it most. Programmes like SEGA are essential in helping these organisations navigate challenges, grow sustainably, and maximise their impact. Recommissioning SEGA reflects Sheffield City Council’s commitment, through our Growth Plan, to building a stronger, fairer economy where purpose-led businesses play a central role in driving positive change."
Terry Murphy, Chief Executive of the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, said:
"Social enterprises are some of the most values-led, impactful organisations we have. But they operate in tough terrain, where purpose collides with pressure. This programme gives them the tools, networks and space to build resilient, community-rooted businesses. At SSEN, we live and breathe social enterprise, and this programme ensures no founder walks the path alone.
As a network rooted in local collaboration, we’ve seen first-hand how social enterprises are delivering real solutions to Sheffield’s biggest challenges, from food insecurity and climate action to inclusive employment and community wellbeing. They are entrepreneurial, innovative and courageous, but too often under-resourced. This recommissioning means we can continue to support those building not just better businesses, but a better city.
It’s not just about growing enterprises. It’s about growing an ecosystem that values equity, regeneration and community wealth.
We’re proud to lead this next phase of SEGA and to work alongside brilliant partners who share that commitment."
Helen Sims, Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Sheffield, said:
“Our work across the social action movement in Sheffield shows us that the development of social entrepreneurship provides skills, connectivity and leverage to address the current inequity in opportunity for many individuals faced with high levels of exclusion and disadvantage.
We also know from a rich history in Sheffield that purpose driven business has an impact on growth in local economies in a way that is connected to the needs of the people living in communities, providing sustainable impact and longer term community health. We are delighted to partner with SSEN to collaborate on this next phase of support.”
Alban Krashi, Demonstrators Coordinator at Opus Independents said:
“Purpose driven businesses and social enterprises will likely catalyse many of the next civic, material, technological and economic capabilities we will need in Sheffield over the next decade. By the nature of holding to a triple bottom line and being less reliant on unpriced externalities, many of these organisations will be first movers and innovators in the transitions ahead.
These enterprises often tend towards collaboration, they tend towards socialising gains, they tend towards innovation in the foundational economies that underpin all GDP growth - they tend towards building community wealth, they tend toward flat and equitable hierarchies and pay ratios. These organisations are critical players in our cities development and its need for increased resilience.
The announcement of further support for social enterprise via SEGA2 is welcome news and one which as a city we should celebrate and be intentional about nurturing more of.”
Jess O’Neill, Grants and Partnerships Manager for South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF), said:
“Through our work at SYCF, we see every day how social enterprises can make a real difference in people's lives. That’s why we’re pleased to support this second phase of the SEGA programme as it aims to reach even further into Sheffield’s communities, supporting both new entrepreneurs and established enterprises to grow."
Richard Kirtley, South Yorkshire Lead for Purple Shoots, said:
“At Purple Shoots, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to shape their future. We’ve seen first-hand the talent, creativity and determination that exists in our communities, often in places overlooked by traditional finance and support. SEGA is a vital platform that helps unlock that potential. We’re proud to bring our experience in grassroots enterprise development to this partnership, and to support social entrepreneurs in building livelihoods that not only sustain them, but strengthen the fabric of Sheffield’s neighbourhoods.”
The SEGA programme is now open for registrations and will run until March 2026. Social enterprises across Sheffield are encouraged to get involved and access the support on offer.
New and established social entrepreneurs can register via the Business Sheffield gateway by phone or directly through SSEN’s website at www.ssen.org.uk/sega from 9am on Monday 7th July.
About the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network
Sheffield Social Enterprise Network’s (SSEN) connect and support people to grow social enterprise. We help local changemakers build skills, grow ideas, and work together, so that businesses and communities can be fairer, more sustainable and people-powered.
For more information on SSEN and its work, visit its website at: https://www.ssen.org.uk/
About South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation
South Yorkshire's Community Foundation (SYCF) helps individuals and businesses who want to give generously to support income generation for its wide-ranging grant programme.
For more information on South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation and its work, visit its website at: https://www.sycf.org.uk/
About Purple Shoots
Purple Shoots is a grassroots, not-for-profit microfinance organisation working across the UK to unlock potential and foster lasting change in communities often left behind by mainstream finance. Through small loans, enterprise support and community-based initiatives, Purple Shoots helps people develop their own businesses, regain confidence, and build sustainable livelihoods. With a deep commitment to financial inclusion and social justice, Purple Shoots has supported hundreds of individuals to overcome barriers, pursue purpose-driven work, and create new opportunities for themselves and those around them. In Sheffield and South Yorkshire, Purple Shoots is working to strengthen the local ecosystem for social entrepreneurs and contribute to a more equitable and regenerative economy.
About Opus Independents
Opus is a worker-owned social enterprise with the aim of finding systemic responses to society’s most complex problems. We’re based in Sheffield, northern England. Since 2008 we’ve hosted projects in the city that further the conversation around issues like poverty, inequality and climate breakdown.
For more information about Opus Independents - https://www.weareopus.org
About VAS
Voluntary Action Sheffield is made up of people who care about making a difference and want to leverage their understanding, experience and any position or privilege to support others. We’re a values led organisation dedicated to delivering our purpose of supporting people, communities and the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector (VCFSE) to lead positive change – change that really matters to local people and will help them get the best results now and in the future.
For more information about Voluntary Action Sheffield - https://www.vas.org.uk