Thousand of ambulance workers have been back on strike this week in the continuing dispute over pay and staff shortages. In Yorkshire, Unison members walked out, as the only union representing ambulance workers in the region. Tristan Metcalfe, a paramedic on the picket line at Longley Ambulance Station, spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh.
Sheffield based Utopia Theatre has been granted National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status by Arts Council England to establish an African Theatre Youth Academy. The award assures funding for three years to run regular performing arts classes and workshops to compliment the skills of young people age 9-19 years with oral storytelling and performance techniques, including acting, music, dance, learning a musical instrument, public speaking and film making. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Liberal Democrats councillor, Martin Smith, has described the container project as a “shambles” after a Sheffield Council report recommended the complex be dismantled and stored for future use in communities or parks. The eight units in Fargate, which opened in October 2022 after a three month delay, were installed as a pop-up space for food stalls, shops and events, and to help boost footfall. Having spent nearly £0.5 million on the project the council has announced the containers will be removed at the end of February. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Three days after a huge water main burst on Moonshine Lane and flooded into properties in the area, one of the victims has spoken to Sheffield Live! about the impact on her family and other local residents. Elaine Williams said she and some of her neighbours have lost everything as many didn’t have content insurance. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Hundreds of nurses across South Yorkshire are taking part in two days of industrial action in the continuing row over NHS pay and patient safety. Members of the Royal College of Nursing at NHS Trusts in Sheffield and Barnsley are involved in the strike. Jo, a band six nurse in Sheffield who joined the picket line at Northern General Hospital, spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh.
Local para ice hockey club, Sheffield Steelkings, has been named club of the year by Parasport UK after a public vote, beating off stiff competition from ten other para sport clubs. Sheffield Steelkings train weekly at Ice Sheffield and offer sporting opportunities to people with a lower body disability or impairment. They are proud winners after receiving the highest number of votes ever cast for the Parasport UK award. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Jake Oakley, player-coach and chairman of Sheffield Steelkings.
As part of Family Meditation Awareness Week, couples or parents living in Sheffield who have decided to separate or divorce this year are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle finance and parenting arrangements. Jane Robbey, chief executive officer of National Family Mediation, told Sheffield Live! they have received hundreds of referrals, calls and email enquiries about their services. Baillor Jalloh reports.
One of the largest nursing strike actions in history saw staff mounting a 12 hour walkout across the country this week as unions demand a pay rise to keep pace with the cost of living. The government has said the demand is unaffordable. Nurses in Sheffield were not part of the first wave of strike action but may be part of a second wave planned if the dispute over pay is not resolved. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Martin Mayer, secretary of Sheffield Trades Union Council.
Sheffield social enterprise Creative Arts Development Space (CADS) has agreed the purchase of Abbeydale Picture House and plan to restore it to its former glory. A dispute with the landlord earlier this year over roof repairs for the main auditorium roof led to an unexpected eviction. Since regaining entry to the premises CADS have negotiated agreement to purchase the building. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to CADS founder and trustee Steve Rimmer.
Helping Hands charity hosted a free mental health awareness event to raise money for Futures FC, a local football team supporting young men facing mental health challenges and addiction recovery. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Victoria Crook, director of Helping Hands, and Phillip Carr, treasurer of Futures FC.