New venue opens in Sheffield city centre run by social enterprise that helps people into work

A not-for-profit Sheffield company which creates work for people who find it difficult to find, or keep, a job has opened a new space in the city centre that will hold exhibitions and events and serve food and drinks.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Yes2Ventures Ltd has been helping Sheffield people who are disadvantaged in the labour market for over 20 years, and has now opened a new venue at 24-26 Snig Hill called The Social.

The Social is an “inclusive” space that will hold events and exhibitions, the first of which opened earlier this month, showcasing the artwork of Gordon Snee, as part of “artSocial.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They hope that they will be able to welcome customers inside for food and drink from June, and there are also plans to create a microbrewery on site under the banner of “brewSocial.”

Yes2Ventures new Social Cafe/art gallery and bar on Snig Hill
Simon Wigglesworth-Baker and Mark Powell in the art galleryYes2Ventures new Social Cafe/art gallery and bar on Snig Hill
Simon Wigglesworth-Baker and Mark Powell in the art gallery
Yes2Ventures new Social Cafe/art gallery and bar on Snig Hill Simon Wigglesworth-Baker and Mark Powell in the art gallery

Mark Powell, director at Yes2Ventures, said The Social will “create jobs at every turn” and the venue will also be an outlet for goods made in the workshops of Yes2Ventures and other social enterprises from Sheffield and beyond.

He said: “‘The Social’ is still in the early stages of development and we are currently building our own bar from which to sell drinks and tapas and such like in the months to come.”

Mark said that some of the people Yes2Ventures help have mental health problems or learning difficulties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He described how those who do not fit a standard job description will often find it difficult to find work, despite having a wealth of skills to offer an employer; and Yes2Ventures endeavours to offer training and create job opportunities for those who would otherwise be overlooked.

"Most, but not all, of these jobs are part-time and they make the world of difference to the people who have them.

"Our Travel Support Service, for example, employs 30 support workers who, in Covid free times, help 170 disabled people get to where they need to go each week – most of these support workers had been made redundant or were long-term unemployed before we took them on,” added Mark.

The Social will also act as an information point, titled “infoSocial,” for people seeking assistance with issues concerning benefits, money, housing and employment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mark said: “Not everyone who has a problem wants to share it publicly, so we have a mechanism for people to let us know they need a quiet word with someone. At the moment, if they ask in the art gallery to see a painting of pink broccoli, we can provide them with the listening ear they need.”

Yes2Ventures runs workshops for people who need to build up their confidence and get a work-related reference before applying for a job, as well as making things out of wood such as planters in their workshop.

They also teach commercial skills to people wishing to enter the catering industry, and produce an “Everything but the Meat” Sunday lunch at at St.Mary’s, Bramall Lane.

Commenting on how members of the public can support Yes2Ventures, Mark said: “All profits from sales go to bankSocial to subsidise wages, to provide bursaries for arts and crafts workshops and to pump prime new initiatives, so please come down and buy a piece of art or purchase a planter (craftSocial) or a Sunday lunch from our website at: www.yes2ventures.org.uk”