Pizza, People, Purpose: Slice & Social: Social Impact
December saw the Social Enterprise Boost Team bring the power of social impact to life at our latest Slice & Social, hosted at Diego’s Joint in Sunderland.
With social impact at its heart (and delicious pizza on the table), the event brought together new Boost programme members and aspiring social entrepreneurs to share experiences, spark new idea and connections and celebrate the incredible work being delivered by social enterprises across the region.
It didn’t take long for the agenda to be set aside as the room filled with conversation and connection. The networking unfolded effortlessly, with those attending keen to share their journeys, challenges and plans for 2026. The ease with which connections were made highlighted the strength of the community that Social Enterprise Boost has created and the value of bringing like-minded people together in a friendly, informal, welcoming space.
Diego’s Joint, a social enterprise founded by Boost member Dan Makaveli provided the perfect backdrop for Slice & Social, with several attendees keen to explore the space and sample the fantastic selection of local beers, soft drinks and coffee, which was provided by Cracked Bean Roastery, also a social enterprise and a beneficiary of the Boost programme. Since opening, Diego’s has become a community hub in Sunderland offering a welcoming place to meet with friends, alongside hosting various community groups and classes to improve residents’ skills.
After a brief welcome from Jack, who thanked attendees for being part of the Boost programme and celebrated the project’s remarkable year, the spotlight shifted to Dan to share his social enterprise journey. He opened up about the process launching his first CIC, Media Savvy, and the inspiration behind creating a space like Diego’s Joint. Dan highlighted the vital role such community hubs play in supporting local impact, while also offering honest insights into the challenges he’s faced and how he overcame them. Having just delivered a keynote at Social Enterprise Day to over 100 business leaders, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers, Dan’s talk at Slice & Social gave attendees the rare chance to ask questions in a relaxed, informal setting.
After Dan’s speech, the Diego’s Joint Kitchen opened its doors and a fantastic selection of pizza’s arrived. Diego’s offer a fantastic selection of vegetarian and vegan pizzas that are made in-house. It is fair to say that these did not last long, much to the dismay of the Boost Team who were keen to sample each topping but were limited to a couple of slice’s each!
A huge thank you to everyone who attended the event and to Dan and the Diego’s Joint team for hosting the group. This year has been a resounding success for the Social Enterprise Boost Programme and it was an amazing experience to bring beneficiaries of the project, both new and old, together to celebrate social impact in Sunderland and South Tyneside. We look forward to continuing our work in 2026!