Community

Community

Women of the World Festival returns to Rotherham

The Women of the World Festival is returning to Rotherham on 10 June for its second year running, with a packed programme of events. Organisers hope this year’s festival will be more extraordinary, captivating audiences with workshops, talks, performances, film screenings and pop-ups. The aim of the event is to celebrate women, girls, and non-binary people at a safe place. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Noor Salih, community producer for Women of the World.

Mental health alliance launched in Sheffield

A new alliance of mental health providers and service users has been launched to improve the health and well-being of the people of Sheffield. The Synergy mental health alliance has more than 100 members including voluntary organisations, decision makers from the local authority, GP’s, and experts by lived experience working together to improves the lives of people with mental health issues. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor spoke to Rachel Siviter, independent chair of Synergy.

Cab drivers calls for extension to CAZ exemption

More than 50 black cab drivers gathered outside Sheffield Town Hall, protesting against Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone regulations and calling on councillors to extend the temporary exemption until July 2024. The temporary exemption charge of £10 is due to expire at the end of June 2023. Drivers say an extension will give them time to raise enough money to buy new vehicles. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to black cab drivers Qasim Aslam and Majid Kahn.

Bereavement support day set to come to Sheffield

National bereavement support charity, Care for the Family, is to host an event in Sheffield for parents who have suffered the death of a child. Parents from across the region are invited to share their experiences with others, gain insights to help in their journey through loss, make friends and access continuing support. The event is to be held on Saturday, 10th June at St Marks Church in Grenoside and will be run by Dave and Jane Park who lost their 11 year old son Ben nearly 20 years ago. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Rotherham’s Ray Matthews recalls his “Path to Success”

Pensioner, charity marathon runner and former boxer Ray Matthews of Rotherham has shared his memories in new book “Path to Success”. The publication narrates his early life and introduction to boxing as a means to combat bullying and goes on to tell his account of aspirations to complete multiple challenges. Among these, Matthews famously running seventy-five marathons in seventy-five days on his seventy-fifth birthday to raise £75,000 for charity. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Autism charity in the running for lottery cash

Sheffield based charity, Autistics Children and Carers Together (ACCT) has been shortlisted for the public vote stage of the National Lottery funded People’s Projects and is calling for public support. The charity could win a vital grant of £70,000 to support its work with more than 500 children and their families in Sheffield. It offers activities and a supportive environment for autistic young people to relax and be themselves, developing confidence, social skills and making friends. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Former tree campaigner calls for better accountability from Sheffield Council

An extraordinary Sheffield Council meeting last week to discuss the findings of the Lowcock Tree Inquiry into the Street Trees Dispute turned heated as questions were raised by former tree campaigners. Calvin Payne who was arrested in 2016 for protesting against the cutting down of thousands of trees across the city told Sheffied Live! he accepts the council’s apology over the felling of street trees and the treatment of campaigners but feels more accountability is needed. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Care home seeks donations to enter gardening competition

Firth Park care home Abbey Grange is asking for donations of plants, shrubs, trees and garden tools to help their bid to enter the annual Country Court in Bloom competition. Winning the competition will mean securing extra funding for their comfort fund which provides days-out for residents. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Michael Nicolls, well-being coordinator at Abbey Grange care home.

Charity founder’s concern at rise in gun and knife crime

Sahira Irshad, chair of Mums United, a charity that works with parents and young people, spoke to Sheffield Live! after the recent killing of 25-year old Abdullah Hassan in Sheffield. Irshad said she is concerned that knife and gun crime is on the increase in the city. Hassan died after officers found him on Callow Drive in Gleadless Valley on 16 April. A post-mortem examination found he died from a single gunshot wound and police are treating his death as murder. Baillor Jalloh reports.