Doncaster business and charities inspire at social value event

The initiative sees surplus timber from construction sites donated to prison workshops, where prisoners create planters that are then gifted to local communities and maintained by volunteers.

Mark said: “We want to leave a legacy through meaningful partnerships that make a genuine difference in our communities. Inclusive partnerships are the key to creating lasting social impact because they bring together businesses, charities and community organisations around a shared purpose.

Social value is about far more than just adding your logo. By working together, we can influence local, regional and national agendas while delivering real benefits for people and places.

 

Networkers also heard from Lindsy James, founder and CEO of Doncaster-based youth charity Active Fusion, who shared her own personal journey of resilience and striving to become the best version of herself.

She said: “We need a world where every young person has someone in their corner. Positive role models can transform lives, particularly for children facing poverty.

“Sport saved my life. It gave me confidence, purpose and a sense of belonging. We need to support young people to face the challenges life will inevitably throw at them and help them unlock their potential. Good things take time, but it is navigating those ups and downs that builds resilience and gives us a real sense of achievement.”

The audience was also inspired by Neil Firbank, founder of the Doncaster Recovery Games CIC, who shared his journey from homelessness and addiction to creating an organisation that has generated more than £147,000 in social value.

Neil said: “There was a time when I genuinely believed my future held only prison or death. I struggled to find support and felt there was nobody there to listen.

“When I finally accessed treatment, I realised recovery is more than medication. Social connection is vital. Following the London 2012 Olympics, I set up Recovery Games to create opportunities for people to come together through sport and activity.

“Since then more than 2,000 people have taken part, teams from as far away as Bosnia. It’s just an incredible event.”

Laura Jarvis from The Drug and Alcohol Service highlighted the growing need for earlier intervention.

She said: “Our waiting rooms are full, which shows we need to think differently about how and when support is offered. Too often, people only seek help when they reach breaking point.

“More and more, we are seeing people in professional and managerial roles needing support. Substance misuse can impact workplaces through poor decision-making, health and safety concerns, absenteeism and staff retention.

By working together and intervening earlier, employers and communities can improve lives and create better, more productive workplaces.

 

South Yorkshire's Giving Network (SYGN) is a growing network of businesses, philanthropists and community leaders who are passionate about creating positive change across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

It is managed by South Yorkshire's Community Foundation (SYCF) - the region's largest local grant-giving charity which has invested more than £40 million into communities across South Yorkshire since 1986.

Michelle Dickinson, Deputy CEO and Head of Partnerships and Programmes at SYCF, said: “These events are exactly what South Yorkshire's Giving Network is all about – bringing together businesses, charities and community organisations and connecting people who want to make a difference in South Yorkshire.

The stories shared by our speakers were so thought-provoking, demonstrating the incredible impact that can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared purpose.

 

The next SYGN event will take place on 24 September 2026 at Affinity 2020 CIC in Rotherham and will explore how businesses can help bridge the gap for care leavers through partnership working and social value initiatives.

To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sygn-rotherham-event-bridging-the-gap-for-care-leavers-tickets-1986533663664