Discover the Heart of the Social Enterprise City

Join us at the 16th Social Enterprise City Festival

November 17th to 22nd 2025 – Renewal and Inclusion

Explore a week-long celebration of transformative social enterprises, community businesses, and cooperative initiatives in Plymouth. Dive into a vibrant schedule filled with inspiring events, workshops, showcases, networking opportunities and have some FUN along the way.

Our theme this year is ‘Renewal and Inclusion’. We live in increasingly polarised times. How do social enterprises and co-ops – businesses with heart and values – respond to these issues? The previous Social Enterprise City strategy expires this year – we need a new plan for social enterprise and co-op development in the city.

Scroll down to browse the events and click here for the festival leaflet.

Brought to you by members of the Plymouth Social Enterprise Network.

Many thanks to our lead sponsor this year:

Willmott Dixon aim to deliver brilliant buildings, transform lives, strengthen communities and enhance the environment so our world is fit for future generations.

And our sponsor:

Iridescent Ideas CIC has a vision to see a greener, fairer, more socially enterprising world. They provide business advice services to help people achieve their social enterprise aspirations.

If you are interested in supporting the festival, please click here for sponsorship opportunities.

Plymouth Social Enterprise City Festival 2025

Festival Event Schedule

Festival Launch and Strategy Session

Join us to celebrate the opening of the 16th Social Enterprise City Festival (who can remember the first one?!) We’ll begin conversations about a new strategy for social enterprise in the city. The old plan expires this year. We need to renew and refresh. What does the next five years hold? What are the big ideas and challenges? How do we, as a sector respond, adapt and lead our way to a greener, fairer future in our great city?

Mon Nov 17th 9:30-11:00

Moments Cafe

Book here

How to Bury the Giant

How to Bury the Giant is a celebration of everything the Art and Energy Collective has grown – from their beginnings, through the Mossy Carpet, to Peat-Fest South-West and creative restoration projects. Experience all 75+ metres of the Mossy Carpet and much more!

Mon Nov 17th 12:00 to Sun Nov 23rd 17:00

Devonport Market Hall

More info here

Open Wide Step Inside

Join PDSE at their Devonport facility from 1-5pm on 17th November as part of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network’s City Festival. Meet our Open Wide Step Inside characters, enjoy activity sheets, and learn about looking after your teeth! Perfect for children and families – come along!

Mon Nov 17th 13:00-17:00

Peninsula Dental, Devonport

More info here

Voices for Change Workshop

What if you could influence the root causes of the issues you’re tackling? Join Voices for Change — a practical workshop on campaigning & advocacy to help amplify your community’s voice, and create lasting change.

Mon Nov 17th 13:30-15:00

Online Workshop

Book here

Going for Gold with Food Plymouth

You are warmly invited to join members of the Food Plymouth team to explore the city’s journey towards Sustainable Food Places Gold Award and enjoy some delicious seasonal soup, bread, Fairtrade tea and coffee along the way.

Tues Nov 18th 12:00-14:00

Sherwell United Church Hall

More info and book here

People Power & Effective Governance

A workshop on building a strong team, including crucial topics like staff attraction, retention, and diversifying audiences for broader reach. The workshop also looks at the essential role of robust governance and board development in successfully steering the social enterprise towards its goals.

Tues Nov 18th 13:00-16:00

Cobourg House

Book here

Winning Contracts and Commissions Workshop

Contracts and commissions are a great way to earn income for your social enterprise or co-op. This workshop explores where to start and develop your approach to winning tenders and improving your chance of success.

Wed Nov 19th 10:00-12:00

Online Workshop

Book here

Funding your Social Enterprise Workshop

Join this FREE workshop exploring how to find funding and investment for your social enterprise.

Wed Nov 19th 13:00-15:00

Online Workshop

Book here

Quiz Night

Get ready for an evening of brain-teasing fun hosted by our local quiz-wizard (The Quizzard). PSEN invites you to a thrilling Quiz Night in celebration of the Plymouth Social Enterprise City Festival 2025, with proceeds supporting Memory Matters! £15 a team of up to 6 people. Pay on the door or book here.

Wed Nov 19th 19:00-21:00

Moments Cafe

More details here

Top Tips On Starting a Social Enterprise

Join this FREE online workshop with Paul Read of DRIFT as part of the SEAS Programme which will help you understand the steps to getting started, business planning and management of social enterprises and co-ops. Get practical advice on what it is all about – when better than during festival week!

Thurs Nov 20th 9:30-11:30

Online Workshop

Book here

Social Enterprise and Defence Driven Growth: Challenges and Opportunities

Join this ‘Question Time’ style discussion about the opportunities and challenges for social enterprises in the ‘defence driven growth’ agenda that is emerging in Plymouth. The city has been announced as a key part of the nation’s Defence Industrial Strategy and will see significant investment over the coming years. Social value, procurement, skills and impact are key ambitions and potential opportunities. However, what are the ethics and challenges that arise for our sector? Join our panellists including senior leaders from all parts of the city’s business and social enterprise community to discuss these issues.

Thurs Nov 20th 10:00-11:00

Devonport Market Hall

Book here

Thrive Don't Survive

A group check-up for social change leaders. This is an interactive group session to help leaders take an honest look at their organisation’s health. Focussing on purpose not polish you will be able to set clear actions to improve areas that need a bit more care and share practical ideas and encouragement.

Thurs Nov 20th 13:00-15:30

Athenaeum Library

Book here

Digital Social Innovation: A Way Forward for Social Enterprises Symposium

Join this symposium at University of Plymouth. Digital social innovation offers a powerful pathway for social enterprises to scale their impact by embedding technology into their core operations. Using tools such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital marketplaces, social enterprises can expand their reach, improve efficiency, and connect with communities in more inclusive ways.

Fri Nov 21st 10:00-12:30

402 Babbage Building, University of Plymouth

Book here

Marketing, Re-Connections & Digital Presence

Learn the essentials of marketing, communications, and digital marketing, learning how to craft compelling messages for your target audience. The workshop also provides practical advice on cultivating valuable partnerships and networking to expand influence and reach across the sector.

Fri Nov 21st 13:00-16:00

Cobourg House

Book here

SHE Showcase

Kick off your Christmas shopping and support local women-led businesses. Visit the beautiful space upstairs at Moments Cafe for a celebration of women in business. There will be stalls, information and advice, demonstrations and free activities, as well as the opportunity to find out more about the support available for women and social entrepreneurs in Plymouth.

Sat Nov 22nd 10:00-16:00

Memory Matters Dementia Hub

View Showcase

The Village Swap

Come along, swap your old clothes for new and pre-loved ones. £3 per adult, children free. Bring a maximum of 10 clean, good condition items of adults or kids clothing. Then you can then swap for some new-to-you treasures. Nothing to swap? Then why not shop? Prices start from just £1 up to £5.

Sat Nov 22nd 10:00-14:00

The Plot, Union Street

Get swapping