Free event | Monday 9 March 2026 | The Guildhall, York
9.45am – 12.30pm (including lunch & networking)
Social value isn’t a buzzword anymore. It’s fast becoming part of how organisations grow, work together and show up in their communities.
If you’re a business owner, social enterprise, SME, public sector partner - or simply someone who cares about creating real, lasting impact in York and North Yorkshire - this event is for you.
Our Meaningful Business events always fill up quickly, so if this matters to you, book your free place now.
About the event
Meaningful Business – Insights into Social Value Creation and Delivery brings together local leaders, practitioners and thinkers to explore what social value actually looks like in practice, not theory.
Through short expert talks, open discussion and a hands-on workshop, we’ll look at how social value is created, shared and sustained across the York and North Yorkshire business ecosystem.
This is a practical, down-to-earth session designed to help organisations move from good intentions to meaningful action.
What this event is aiming to do
To bring local organisations together to shape a shared understanding of social value and to explore how purpose, community and impact can sit at the heart of everyday business decisions.
What you’ll take away
By the end of the session, you will:
- Have a clearer understanding of what social value means and why it matters now
- Explore how businesses, communities and agencies can co-produce social value
- Look at social value through an ecosystem lens, from big-picture strategy to everyday actions
- Learn how to build social value in partnership with public sector organisations
- Understand how social value fits across business cycles and stakeholder relationships
- Leave with ideas, strategies and practical actions to support more socially enterprising businesses across York and North Yorkshire
The workshop focus
This interactive session will explore:
- What social value looks like in the York and North Yorkshire context
- Why it matters for business growth, community wellbeing and long-term sustainability
- How relationships and collaboration sit at the heart of social value creation
- How organisations can identify, communicate and sustain value at different levels
You’ll leave with practical insights, fresh connections and a clearer sense of how your organisation can contribute to meaningful, place-based impact.
Speakers & contributors
Dr Madeline Powell - University of York
A leading researcher in co-production and social value, Dr Powell will lead an interactive workshop exploring how social value is created across sectors - and how organisations can work together to deliver it well.
Sam Leach - Co-founder of Spark & Chair of the Community Wealth Building Committee
Sam will share a practical, on-the-ground perspective on community wealth building and social value development across York and North Yorkshire.
Meaningful Business Network
Dr Adrian Madden and Dr Alex Alterskye will open the event with an introduction to Meaningful Business and the growing role of social value in organisational change.
Who should attend?
- Members of the Meaningful Business Network
- Local businesses and SMEs
- Social enterprises and community organisations
- Public sector partners
- Anyone interested in social value, community impact or purpose-led business
Speakers & contributors
Dr Madeline Powell - University of York
A leading researcher in co-production and social value, Dr Powell will lead an interactive workshop exploring how social value is created across sectors - and how organisations can work together to deliver it well.
Sam Leach - Co-founder of Spark & Chair of the Community Wealth Building Committee
Sam will share a practical, on-the-ground perspective on community wealth building and social value development across York and North Yorkshire.
Meaningful Business Network
Dr Adrian Madden and Dr Alex Alterskye will open the event with an introduction to Meaningful Business and the growing role of social value in organisational change.
Register on Eventbrite – Book your free place