Bristol businesses are being invited to take part in a different kind of networking event this month, bringing together local companies and homeless charities to explore how businesses can offer practical support within their communities.
Organised by ACF Events in partnership with charity Sleep Pod, the free event will take place at DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre on Monday 28 September, bringing businesses and local charities together for an afternoon of conversation, networking and potential collaboration.
Rather than traditional business networking focused primarily on making new commercial connections, the event has been designed to encourage conversations around what local charities need, what businesses can offer, and where skills, resources and connections could make a practical difference.
The afternoon will include a networking lunch alongside facilitated conversations, giving attendees the opportunity to meet representatives from local homeless charities and discover ways their organisations could potentially get involved.
Bringing businesses and charities together: The event aims to create an informal environment where businesses can learn more about the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness locally, while charities can highlight the areas where support from the business community could be useful.
That support could take many forms, from professional skills and expertise to resources, services, introductions, volunteering opportunities or other practical contributions. The organisers hope that by bringing groups together in the same room, the event will create conversations that continue beyond the afternoon itself.
We wanted to create a networking event with a genuine purpose behind it – somewhere businesses could meet, have useful conversations and find out where they might be able to make a practical contribution locally.
Amy Stevenson, ACF Events
“It isn't about businesses being expected to arrive with all the answers. It's about creating the opportunity to listen, understand what charities need and explore what might be possible when the business and charity communities work together.”
Event details
Business Networking With a Difference
Monday 28 September 2026
13:00–16:00
DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre
The event is free to attend, although places are limited.
Businesses across Bristol and the surrounding area are invited to attend, particularly those interested in finding practical ways to support local charities through their skills, resources, connections or time. For further information or to register for a free place, contact amy@acfevents.co.uk
