Rotherham-based animal rescue charity Rain Rescue is facing an uncertain future due to the impact of the coronavirus on its fundraising and donations. Since its foundation in 2002 the charity has saved the lives of thousands of cats and dogs including abandoned and unwanted animals for which its rescue centre provides space and support to recover while a new home is being sought. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Shelley Richmond, chair of Rain Rescue.
Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind has furloughed 80 per cent of their staff to cope with the lockdown and reduced revenues. The charity provides support, friendship and services to over 3,600 blind and partially sighted people in Sheffield with over 300 weekly visitors in normal times to its Mappin Street premises. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Joanne Arden, deputy manager for Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.
Shots were fired on Myrtle Road on Monday evening causing armed police to descend on the Heeley neighbourhood. Police cordened off the area for further investigation and increase the number of uniformed officers on the streets. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to councillor Ben Miskell.
Yorkshire Cancer Research has launched a new stop smoking service offering 12 weeks of personal support with an NHS advisor and access to nicotine-based aids to help smokers quit. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Leah Holtam, cancer insight manager for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
A group of retired doctors, GPs and former public health directors have completed a trial phase in Heeley and Meersbrook of a community contact tracing project that aims to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. The pioneering scheme has been coordinated with local GPs to engage with individuals who have been infected with Covid-19 together with their recent contacts and to train community-based volunteers to offer personal support and guidance. The initiative has benefited from support of local community organisation, Heeley Development Trust, who have already been providing food, medicines and other support for vulnerable people in the neighbourhood. Building on the lessons learned, the scheme could be rolled out further across Sheffield and elsewhere. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to retired GP, Dr Jack Czauderna.
Officers have made a number of arrests, seizing drugs and weapons, following a series of shooting incidents in Burngreave, Sharrow and Nether Edge. Jim Steinke, councillor for Nether Edge and Sharrow spoke to Sheffield Live! about the police and community response. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Teachers have had to adapt to the lockdown by putting learning and support online to keep pupils engaged pending the reopening of schools. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Roger Pope, spokesperson for the National Get Into Teaching Campaign.
A popular Spring Bank Holiday arts workshop series for 7-12 year olds run by Ignite Imaginations in collaboration with Sheffield Libraries is to be run this year as a virtual event. A series of daily, free, artist-led activities will be available online from Monday with a video and online activities sheet for each workshop. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Vicky Rolley, project coordinator for Ignite Imaginations, and Claire South, senior young people’s officer for Sheffield Libraries.
A Sheffield woman is facing a strict lockdown in Colombia after a business trip to the country left her unable to return due to cancelled flights and the closure of airports. Natalia Welch is the founder and manager of Pura Panela which imports handcrafted sugars. She is now staying with family in Colombia under a strict lockdown with just an hour of exercise allowed per day and keeping in touch with her Sheffield partner by video conference. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
The Sheffield branch of the National Education Union (NEU) is calling for schools to remain closed until five safety tests have been met. Opposing government plans to reopen schools on 1 June, the union said schools should remain closed until there is a lower count of Covid-19 cases, a clear downward trend, comprehensive access to testing and a national plan in place for social distancing and personal protective equipment. Government plans are for nursery, reception, year one and year six classes to return on 1 June. The NEU is calling on Sheffield Council to follow the example of other local authorities including Liverpool , Hartlepol and Solihull, which have refused to reopen schools until additional assurances are in place on safety. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Simon Murch, joint secretary for Sheffield NEU.