I’ve just been presented with the Giving Back Bee Award by NetworkBee, my local Sheffield business networking group. And I’m not going to pretend I didn’t cry a little. Because this one really meant something.
What is the Giving Back Bee Award?
NetworkBee is a wonderful community of women in business here in Sheffield. Four years ago, they started with a simple idea – bring brilliant women in business together, create a space where they could connect, collaborate and champion one another, and make networking something to genuinely look forward to. Four years on, the hive is thriving, and to celebrate, they threw a Birthday Bash and as part of that celebration, they held their NetworkBee Awards, recognising the achievements of their members.
The Giving Back Award recognises someone whose work extends beyond their business into the wider world. This year, that was me. Still pinching myself.
They said:
“This award goes to someone who is helping make the world a better place, both globally through her sustainable travel business and locally through her work helping events become plastic-free and teaching us all how to be a little greener. She truly embodies the spirit of giving back and proves that small changes can create a big buzz. Thank you for helping our hive become more sustainable.”
The two sides of what I do
What I love about this award is that it sees the full picture because my work really does have two sides to it.
On one hand, there’s Emma Andrews – The Holiday Village. I’m a sustainable travel consultant who specialises in tailor-made holidays that are not just good for you, but good for the places you visit too. Meaningful travel, planned completely stress-free.
On the other hand, there’s my volunteering as Education Officer with Sheffield Action on Plastic. Outside of my consultancy, I give my time to help events across Sheffield go plastic-free, run workshops, and spread a little green knowledge wherever I can. It’s something I’m genuinely passionate about – I started reducing single-use plastic in my own home back in 2020, and it snowballed from there!
Both feel like part of the same mission, really. Whether I’m planning a responsible holiday or swapping out plastic cups at a local event, it all comes from the same belief: that small changes really do add up.
A huge thank you
To NetworkBee – thank you. You are such a warm, generous, supportive group of women and I am so proud to be part of your hive.
And to everyone who has cheered me on, supported me with my business and believed in doing things a little differently – this one’s for you too.