Every month, We Are Wakefield’s First Friday events pack out venues like Nostell Priory, WX and Tileyard North—and often leave eager Wakefield professionals on waiting lists. This isn’t just popularity; it’s proof that collaboration is Wakefield’s superpower. The district’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy places collective prosperity, inclusive participation, and community wealth building at its heart. These aren’t buzzwords. They’re strategies shown to deliver stronger growth, greater resilience, and more social mobility than any one organisation can achieve on its own.
We Are Wakefield is a district-wide community of businesses, social enterprises, public bodies, and education groups. Through monthly networking events, expos, skill-sharing workshops, and strategic partnerships, it creates the space where ideas cross-pollinate, projects launch, and long-term collaborations form.
Why Community Matters for Local Prosperity
Community wealth building flips the traditional economic model on its head by keeping more value in local hands. Progressive councils from Preston to Wakefield have championed this people-centred approach:
- On implementing this strategy, local public body spending in Preston surged, circulating millions more pounds within its borough.
- Anchor institutions in Wakefield—Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust, the National Coal Mining Museum and Heart of Yorkshire Education Group—now partner with small businesses on procurement, skills training, and innovation projects.
- Voluntary and community organisations gain funding and strategic support to deliver social programmes that lift all residents.
After hosting a We Are Wakefield First Friday event, Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust commented:
“Since the event, the partnerships team at Mid Yorkshire have maintained contact with the local businesses who attended the event, with follow up conversations evolving with a further ten local businesses. Of course, this has meant more time for building relationships with fabulous We Are Wakefield members, as we explore the potential to work together.
The event allowed Mid Yorkshire to raise awareness of the organisation by being a host, and by delivering the spotlight presentation we have been able to articulate clearly to We Are Wakefield members exactly what the potential is to work together. This has been a fantastic opportunity and one which we highly encourage other members to tap into.”
Equally, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group has found real value from its membership and involvement in We Are Wakefield. Sam Wright, Principal & Chief Executive, asserts:
“Being a member of We Are Wakefield has brought many benefits to our Group of Colleges, including networking opportunities with local businesses and stakeholders. It has allowed us to showcase our colleges and the ways we want to work with employers to further enhance our students’ experiences through work placements and employer visits and talks. This kind of employer engagement vastly improves our students’ aspirations and ambitions and helps them to achieve their potential.”
Lynn Dunning, CEO of the National Coal Mining Museum for England, shares:
“When I started as CEO at the National Coal Mining Museum in November 2023 I was interested in reaching out to as many organisations as possible—from my previous experience you always achieve so much more by working in partnership and through creating local networks. We Are Wakefield stood out as the perfect opportunity to meet lots of very talented local organisations working for the greater good of our communities. We have collaborated with members on so many brilliant initiatives since joining—from digital projects to graphic design and print, to education projects, fundraising activities and so much more—all hugely benefiting our local communities and economy.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson, CBE adds:
“I was very pleased to be a speaker at one of We Are Wakefield’s monthly meetings. I was very impressed by the positivity in the meeting and the determination of participants to use the power of networking and collaboration not just for the good of their own organisations but also for the wider prosperity of Wakefield and the surrounding District.”
When spend, skills, and decision-making stay local, everyone benefits,businesses grow, workers earn fair wages, and civic groups build the social fabric that underpins long-term prosperity.
Connecting Business and Education: Nurturing Future Talent
We Are Wakefield has quickly become the vital bridge between local business and education, working closely with Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, Silcoates School, Wakefield Grammar School Foundation and most of the Academy Trusts across the district to connect students, from an early stage, with potential employers. Wakefield is not a University city, and has the potential to lose talent that moves away. By creating work-placements, mentorships, and skills workshops, we ensure our future talent gains the right experience—and knows there are genuine career pathways right here in Wakefield.
Wakefield’s Model: From Networks to Measurable Impact
The numbers speak volumes. Recent research estimates a return of £12.50 for every pound invested in business networking and travel—driven by faster referrals, collective problem-solving, and greater visibility for growing firms. But the value isn’t only financial. At every First Friday:
- Entrepreneurs find co-founders for joint ventures.
- Established firms uncover new suppliers and expand their supply chains.
- Neighbourhood charities and social enterprises secure volunteers and funding.
This social capital combats isolation, boosts individual purpose, and embeds social justice into our shared economic agenda. It aligns perfectly with regional goals for inclusive, environmentally sustainable growth and ensures every Wakefield resident feels they “actively participate and belong.”
A recent research project from Wakefield Council, Huddersfield University and 3M Buckley Innovation Centre revealed Wakefield’s Top 100 businesses based on data including profit, employee numbers and growth.
Georgina Wareing, of OE Electrics and named in Wakefield’s Top 100 businesses, explains:
“For larger manufacturers like OE, integrating into our local network offers strategic advantages that go beyond surface-level perception. It strengthens our brand by rooting ourselves in the community, attracts local talent with a vested interest in Wakefield, and supports a more agile, resilient supply chain by shortening logistics. Our involvement in local initiatives also reinforces our ESG commitments—from environmental sustainability and workforce development to supporting community campaigns. In a globalised world, a strong local presence isn’t a limitation—it’s a competitive edge.”
Duncan Heywood, of Concept Recruitment Group, another Wakefield Top 100 honouree, shares:
“We first joined We Are Wakefield out of curiosity. Once we became members, it quickly became clear that the people and businesses involved are genuinely passionate about the Wakefield area and incredibly welcoming. Concept Recruitment Group is proud of its Wakefield roots—doing business here and beyond. Our We Are Wakefield membership provides a fantastic platform to showcase everything the district has to offer.”
Final Thought: Collaboration as Catalyst
We Are Wakefield is far more than a monthly meet-up. It’s a living, breathing example of community wealth building in action—where every handshake sparks potential, every conversation seeds a future project, and every new member strengthens the district’s collective wellbeing. If you’re ready to experience the energy, forge meaningful connections, and play a part in Wakefield’s next chapter of growth, join us at our next event. Because when Wakefield wins, we all win.
