There is a quiet but powerful economic movement unfolding across the Wakefield District — not driven by any single organisation, institution or initiative, but by the collective strength of hundreds of businesses choosing to collaborate rather than compete. The latest membership survey, alongside the newly completed Impact Report, provides the clearest picture yet of just how transformative this approach has become.
Over the past year, We Are Wakefield members have generated millions of pounds of
value directly through the connections, partnerships and opportunities made within the network. The survey reveals that more than a quarter of members gained between £1,001 and £5,000 of business from WAW relationships, while many others achieved far higher returns, with almost one in five securing up to £10,000 and a further portion exceeding £25,000. These gains are not isolated wins — they demonstrate a pattern of meaningful, commercially valuable relationships forming across the district.
Equally influential is the shift toward local supplier use. Nearly a third of respondents reported savings by choosing fellow members for services, ranging from moderate reductions in operational costs to major efficiencies worth several thousand pounds. For others, the survey highlighted that while they may not yet have needed new suppliers, the confidence and intention to “buy local” has never been stronger. This movement is already reshaping the district’s supply chains, keeping money circulating where it has the biggest impact: right here at home.
This commitment to local procurement is mirrored by We Are Wakefield itself. In the last 12 months, the organisation reinvested more than £64,000 directly into local suppliers through event delivery alone — from hospitality and venues to creative services, technical support and logistics. Not only does this strengthen local businesses operationally, but it reinforces a deeper belief that Wakefield businesses deserve a platform to showcase their expertise.
When all of this activity is combined — the business generated, the savings made, the collaborations formed and the supply chains strengthened — the total measurable economic value of the We Are Wakefield community stands between £4.2 million and £5.8 millio
n per year. Put simply, the members of We Are Wakefield are collectively generating the equivalent of £11,500 to £15,800 of economic impact every single day. And because these figures only capture measurable returns, the real impact is almost certainly even greater.
Wakefield’s business landscape is changing because its businesses are choosing to change it together. Every collaboration, every local supplier switch, every introduction made across a crowded WAW event is part of a bigger story — a story of a district shaping its own economic future from the ground up. The We Are Wakefield community is proving that when businesses invest in one another, the whole district becomes stronger, more resilient and more prosperous.
Behind these numbers are hundreds of stories of growth: partnerships that have become long-term alliances, introductions that turned into transformative opportunities, and businesses that have found not only financial success but a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Members talk about growing their confidence, expanding their visibility, learning from one another, and feeling deeply supported by a community that genuinely wants to see them succeed. The economic impact is powerful — but the cultural impact may be even more significant.
It is the voices of members that reveal the deeper impact of We Are Wakefield. Many talked about the sense of belonging they have found — a business community where people genuinely want to see one another succeed. Some shared how the network has helped rebuild confidence or fill the isolation that often comes with running a business. Others described the vibrant atmosphere at events, where new faces mix with familiar ones and meaningful conversations spark new ideas, partnerships and opportunities.
Members consistently spoke about visibility, shared learning, supportive relationships, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. For many, We Are Wakefield is not just a place to meet potential clients — it is a community that champions them, challenges them and celebrates them.
Thank you to every member who contributed to the survey and to every organisation that continues to collaborate, connect, support and champion local enterprise. Your impact is profound, measurable and inspiring — and it is reshaping the Wakefield economy in real time.
A full impact report will be produced from the findings of the recent survey and made available in due course.
