SHEFFIELD BUSINESS TOGETHER (SBT)

A new cross-sector collaboration to support the people and communities of our great city

Sheffield’s proud historySheffield has a proud history of philanthropy and collaboration for good between the private, public and voluntary

sectors.

Businesses in the city have a heart and understand that the prosperity of business and society are mutually dependent and inextricably linked. That long term financial success goes hand in hand with social responsibility, environmental stewardship and ethical practices. The return on investment is proven across the board from employee satisfaction/up skilling and wellbeing, to market share and customer and employee attraction.

The opportunityIn Sheffield there are around 3,300 active voluntary and community groups including charities and social enterprises. There are 68,000 businesses, 80% of which are SME’s with an annual output of £31 Billion.

Current partnerships between sectors have been developed through personal connections, where a business has an affinity, or their objectives are linked. Some employers are not connected as they find it difficult to develop these relationships and identify the right opportunities for their people. Collaboration is therefore ad-hoc, uncoordinated and there is duplication leading to inefficiencies. Currently there is no strategic matching of need to provision and it is difficult to

measure impact.

What is SBTBuilding on current relationships between sectors Sheffield employers Arup, Arm, John Lewis, Henry Boot, Irwin Mitchell and Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam Universities are launching a new initiative called Sheffield Business Together (SBT). Below is our vision and we invite like-minded organisations to join us to discuss how we make this a reality.

HOW CAN MY BUSINESS SUPPORT SBT?

Our visionTo meet the social challenges in Sheffield we need to do more, in a smarter and more strategic way. Our vision is to increase sector collaboration. To strategically connect, share and harness the resources of business and charities to address some of the key challenges facing the city and our communities. We intend to

do this by:-

1. Establishing a steering committee, comprising of representatives from

all sectors to govern and steer activity.

2. Building our membership and providing a central point of contact that

connects the voluntary sector with businesses.

3. Helping address key employment/education, environment and social issues in the city. Bringing together business, voluntary sector practitioners and academics to identify focussed strategies where a coordinated effort between businesses will make a tangible and measurable difference.

4. Supporting voluntary sector sustainability. By increasing employer supported volunteering, facilitating skills and knowledge sharing across sectors, protecting voluntary sector assets and providing a brokering service. Allowing the voluntary sector to flag and publicise their needs and match them to businesses who can meet those needs.

JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Join us and help us to grow our membership.

Share skills and collaborate on joint

projects and campaigns.

Donate surplus products, equipment, materials or offer meeting rooms/event spaces.

Get involved in SBT campaigns by :- - Sharing your knowledge and skills with the voluntary sector - Encouraging and supporting staff to take part either individually or as part of a team challenge.

- Providing fundraising or sponsorship.

JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCEFor more information on how to join SBT either

EMAIL

sbt@vas.org.ukPHONE

Paul on 0114 253 6648Carolynn on 07837 325 808

WHY JOIN SBT?

• Opportunity to network, share good practice and meet other like-minded businesses who are part of SBT.

• Be part of a progressive business network that makes a tangible difference in the city.

• Access our brokering service, matching your business and people with local opportunities.

• Positive PR and community profile. We will capture and share good news stories.

• Understanding of the needs and challenges in our city and communities.

• Raising awareness of your business.

• Helping your business achieve its Corporate Social Responsibility

objectives and give something back to the city.