With the launch of People Planet Pastry in January, Sheffield has added another welcoming space for sustainability-minded individuals to connect, share ideas and drive change.
The new event joins the well-established People Planet Pint meet-up, which takes place on the second Thursday of each month at Shoreham Street’s Triple Point Brewhouse. Both gatherings are open to professionals working in sustainability as well as those simply passionate about making a difference – offering an opportunity to engage with both local and national initiatives.
Small 99’s People Planet Pint runs in over 100 locations across the UK, with the South Yorkshire chapter founded by Charles Sladdin of Purple Banana and Anna Jenkinson of B&B Press. The initiative is supported by sponsors Krystal.
“After moving to Sheffield, I was looking for a friendly, welcoming community to meet like-minded people – small business owners, creatives and anyone who cared about making a difference – but I couldn’t quite find the right space,” Charles told unLTD.
“Running a digital agency, I know that the best ideas often start at the pub after work. And that’s what Sheffield’s People Planet Pint is about. To show that making a positive impact doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating – and it’s a lot more fun with a pint in hand. Ultimately, it’s about connecting good people, sharing ideas and proving that small steps (and small businesses) can drive big change.”Anna shares Charles’s enthusiasm, bringing her own passion for sustainability and community into the mix.
“I’m proudly known as the office tree hugger. I’m as passionate about people as I am about the planet,” she says. “As Marketing and Sustainability Lead at B&B Press, I help businesses make more sustainable print choices while bringing enthusiasm and curiosity to the conversation. I love connecting with people, sparking ideas and inspiring positive change.”
For a long time, I felt there was a disconnect in my role between marketing and sustainability. But the more people I spoke to, the more I realised sustainability isn’t role-specific or sector-specific - it’s everyone’s responsibility. I’m passionate about making it an accessible and relevant topic that people can genuinely engage with.
That’s why I got involved with People, Planet, Pint. We’ve built a brilliant community of regulars, but I love that every month brings new faces. Word of mouth is a powerful thing, and we can all inspire each other and build the confidence to make positive change.
For those who prefer a morning meet-up or find Thursday evenings tricky due to family commitments, People Planet Pastry offers a great alternative. Taking place on the last Tuesday of each month, this event is hosted by Dan Laver of BIDBI and Liz Hnat of Hive IT. The concept is an offshoot of Manchester’s Better Business Network (BBN).
“The Better Business Network exists to provide a community for companies that want to make the world a better place,” explains BBN’s James Dady. “We work to create a world in which all businesses are a force for good, working to improve their social and environmental impact and we are committed to making a difference – one business at a time.
“Whether you’re just starting on your journey or are looking to amplify your impact, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We run these regional events to bring like-minded people together and build valuable connections because we know local support is crucial when overcoming barriers to becoming a better business.”
Backed by sponsor Sage, these events are designed to be relaxed, engaging and welcoming – offering an easy way to meet purpose-led businesses, exchange ideas and encourage each other to take meaningful action.
To learn more about the Better Business Network or book onto a future People Planet Pastry, visit thebetterbusiness.network.
To join the next People Planet Pint at Triple Point, search for ‘People Planet Pint Sheffield’ on Eventbrite.
