Sheffield News

Visitors return to Kelham Island Museum

Kelham Island Museum has put health precautions in place for the return of visitors to Sheffield’s iconic industrial heritage centre, closed since the March lockdown. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Gemma Holden, marketing coordinator for Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust.

Support dogs charity hosts Doggy Olympics

Sheffield’s Support Dogs charity are marking the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics with a call to dogs and their owners to join a series of Olympic themed challenges. Participant pooches in the fundraising month are asked to demonstrate six Olympic themed activities, including sprints, jumps and hurdles, and to submit videos of their performance. Doggy suits are provided for owners that want to join the fun. Sheffield Live reporter Sean Johnson spoke to Support Dogs manager Tess Thompson.

Sheffield MP welcomes A-Level U-turn

Sheffield Hallam MP, Olivia Blake has welcomed the government U-turn on A-level and GCSE results but says there remain questions to be answered. Her comments come after education secretary, Gavin Williamson said he is “incredibly sorry for the distress” caused to pupils after accepting to change how A-levels and GCSEs results are graded. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Dozens take part in track and trace protest

Over two dozen demonstrators mounted a protest outside Sheffield Town Hall against the involvement of outsourcing giant Serco in England’s test, track and trace programme. Campaigners say they want the government to end Serco’s contract and instead allocate the funds to local public health protection teams. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Ruth Milson, secretary for Sheffield Save our NHS.

Youth worker launches book targeting knife crime

Sheffield youth worker, Anthony Olaseinde, has published a book called One Knife Many Lives on the devastating impact of knife crime. Olaseinde hopes to educate young people to reverse the growth in knife crime which has risen by over 50 per cent in South Yorkshire since 2015. Olaseinde has also set up a mentoring programme which has supported over 200 young people through the social enterprise Always An Alternative. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield Council appoints new chief executive

Sheffield Council has confirmed the appointment of new chief executive Kate Josephs who is to take on the role from January 2021. A special meeting of Full Council was convened on the Zoom conference platform to consider the appointment. The meeting is the first of Full Council since the lockdown in March and also the first to be broadcast live on Sheffield Live! TV. Labour leader Julie Dore, Shaffaq Mohammed for the Lib Dems and Douglas Johnson of the Green Party all spoke in support of the appointment. Josephs, born and raised in Sheffield, has been a senior UK civil servant and is currently Director General in the Number 10 Covid Task Force. She has also worked with the Obama administration in Washington DC. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield road second most polluted in UK

A survey published by Friends of the Earth has shown the Sheffield station taxi rank to be the second most polluted road in the country. According to the report the station taxi rank had the second highest level of nitrogen dioxide and the annual average was more than double the recommended safe limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Abrar Hussain, secretary general for the GMB S75 taxi branch.

Sheffield Council invites evidence for race equality inquiry

Sheffield City Council is asking residents to submit evidence to inform its newly launched inquiry into race equality in the city which is to be led by an independent Race Equality Commission. The Commission is also inviting applications to join its group of commissioners to contribute expertise throughout the inquiry. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to councillor Abtisam Mohamed, cabinet member for education and skills at Sheffield Council, and Olivier Tsemo, chief executive of Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association (SADACCA).

Hundreds take part in NHS pay rise protest

Over a hundred doctors, nurses and supporters took part in a weekend demonstration outside Sheffield City Hall calling on the government to offer a substantial pay rise to NHS workers. The protest comes as pay increases have been agreed for other public sector workers whilst NHS staff remain on a three year agreement to be reviewed in April 2021. Ruby Midgley, a staff nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals told Sheffield Live! she feels let down by the government. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Organisations urged to make First Aid a priority

The Source Academy training centre is urging Sheffield businesses and organisations to make First Aid a priority as staff return to workplaces. All businesses are required by law to make provision for First Aid and First Aiders would normally take a refresher course yearly however due to the pandemic the Health and Safety Executive has extended the refresher period. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Daniel Stanbra, director of operations at the Source Academy.