Sheffield Business Together (SBT) and the Sheffield Property Association (S-PA) have launched a new partnership to address social issues across the Sheffield City Region.
With the impact of inflation and rising energy, food and fuel costs pushing more households into financial hardship, SBT’s mission is to bring together like-minded businesses across various sectors to address a range of social issues.
Through collaboration, connecting and sharing resources, the partnership will focus on food poverty, particularly supporting young people, BAME communities, refugees and those affected by homelessness.
“This is an important and positive statement of how responsible business organisations across the city can collaborate and work together, helping and supporting those with the greatest need in our city.”
Louisa Harrison-Walker, SCCI Chief Executive and Chair of the SBT, said: “In my experience, Sheffield works best when we work together. Both the SBT and the S-PA are organisations built on collaboration – it only makes sense to bring them together for the greater good of the city.
“SBT’s work has been really important in helping our local communities – particularly in the last few years when demand has skyrocketed owing to the long-lasting effects of the pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“The work is still vitally important as we enter 2024 and by working with the S-PA, we will continue to improve education, environments, and social action in Sheffield.”
Martin McKervey, Chair of the S-PA, said: “The Sheffield Property Association is very pleased to be a part of this partnership with SBT and BITC.
“This is an important and positive statement of how responsible business organisations across the city can collaborate and work together, helping and supporting those with the greatest need in our city.”
SBT was launched in 2019 by founding members Arm, Arup, Henry Boot PLC, Irwin Mitchell, Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield, Business in the Community (BITC), Voluntary Action Sheffield and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation and in 2021, partnered with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
To date, SBT has delivered over 449 projects, with a value in excess of £860k and benefitting 90+ voluntary and community organisations.
In January, to ensure the continuation of this work, SCCI welcomed Charlie Hedges as SBT Project Coordinator. Working alongside Carolynn McConnell, the SBT strategic lead (BITC), she brings with her a wealth of experience.
Charlie said: “I had no idea of the breadth and depth of the work that Sheffield Business Together were involved in, how it harnesses the private sector resource and expertise for the benefit of our voluntary and charity sectors here in Sheffield.
“I’m enjoying getting stuck in and I am excited to continue to develop our partnerships and projects. It’s great having organisations like the S-PA support us in expanding our reach.”
