Sheffield is a city built on collaboration, and nowhere is this more evident than at Percy Street Collective CIC. This social enterprise is redefining what it means to create change. Through woodworking, horticulture, and creative community projects, they’re not just teaching practical skills to neurodiverse young adults—they’re building a healthier, greener, and more connected Sheffield. And the link between their work and food? It’s as natural as the wood they shape and the soil they cultivate.
Percy Street Collective’s workshops create tangible connections to the principles of ShefFood’s mission: a better food system that benefits the environment, health, community, and economy. Let’s start with their horticulture program. For neurodiverse participants, planting, nurturing, and harvesting are more than just tasks—they’re therapeutic practices that promote mental health and physical well-being. By equipping individuals with the skills to grow their own food, Percy Street Collective empowers them to engage with the local food system in a meaningful way. Imagine the pride in cultivating fresh produce or the joy of knowing the garden you helped create is providing nutritious food for the community or the bees!
Environmental sustainability lies at the heart of Percy Street’s work. Their use of sustainable, locally sourced materials is a direct challenge to the disposable culture that dominates many industries. The timber roundhouses they’re crafting as part of the Roundhouse Project, launching in early 2025, are a perfect example. These eco-friendly structures can serve as venues for everything from community food festivals to farm-to-table dining experiences. By replacing harmful PVC marquees with timber shelters, Percy Street Collective isn’t just reducing waste—they’re providing a beautiful, sustainable alternative that connects people to the spaces where food and community intersect.
Their commitment to the environment also extends to their horticulture initiatives. Growing food locally, even in small-scale community gardens like their herb garden at Alder Bar, reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting produce from far-off places. It’s a practical way to make the food system more sustainable while also fostering a greater appreciation for what it takes to put food on our plates. Through their work, Percy Street Collective shows that every seed planted is a step toward a greener Sheffield.
Then there’s the economic impact. For the neurodiverse young adults who participate in their workshops, learning to craft timber products or grow plants is about more than gaining a skill—it’s about building a future. These workshops provide employable skills in production, sales, and design, equipping participants to contribute to the local economy in tangible ways. Percy Street’s bespoke creations—whether they’re crafting wooden planters for an urban food-growing initiative or building compost bins for a community garden—support local businesses, schools, and organisations. Each project strengthens the economic fabric of Sheffield, keeping resources circulating within the city.
But the economy isn’t just about jobs and products; it’s about fostering innovation that benefits everyone. The Roundhouse Project is a good example again. These structures could host farmers’ markets, pop-up food stalls, or cooking workshops, creating opportunities for local food entrepreneurs to thrive. By providing flexible, sustainable spaces, Percy Street is laying the groundwork for a vibrant, inclusive food economy.
At the core of Percy Street Collective’s work is a deep commitment to community. Their workshops don’t just teach skills—they create connections. Participants, staff, and volunteers come together to build trust, friendships, and a sense of shared purpose, as well as the actual products created. Projects like the Roundhouse initiative bring this ethos to life by inviting local residents, organisations, and artists to collaborate on structures that will benefit everyone. These roundhouses will become gathering places where people can share meals, ideas, and experiences, strengthening Sheffield’s food citizenship one event at a time.
Percy Street Collective’s work embodies the idea that food isn’t just about sustenance—it’s about connection. From the therapeutic benefits of gardening to the role of communal spaces in bringing people together, their projects highlight how food intersects with nearly every aspect of life. And while their focus may not always be directly on food production and supply, their impact like so many other Sheffield organisations can have a growing ripple effect through the entire system, creating healthier individuals, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.
So, what can you do to support their vision? Percy Street Collective is calling on Sheffielders to get involved. If you’re a local business or group you can partner with them on community projects or commission their bespoke products.They’re also seeking financial backing to expand their workshops and make the Roundhouse Project a citywide success. And if you’ve got time to spare, they’re always looking for volunteers to lend a hand, and members of the public to attend their events or visit their workshops to see how they’re making a difference.
Percy Street Collective CIC is proof that when we invest in people and sustainability, we all benefit. By bridging the gap between skill-building and community-building, they’re creating a Sheffield where everyone has the tools to thrive—whether it’s in the workshop, the garden, or the kitchen. To get involved or learn more, contact them at [email protected]. Together, we can continue to shape a city that’s as rich in opportunity as it is in heart.
