As tens of thousands of students return to universities this week and next, strict measures have been taken to minimise the spread of the coronavirus in city campuses. Thousands of students returning to colleges and universities will find their educational and social experience very different to previous years. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Dr Peter O’Brien, executive director for Universities in Yorkshire and Andrew Adegbola, Sheffield Hallam Student Union president.
A Sheffield-based asylum seeker and community volunteer has published a first hand account of a decade of struggle to gain refugee status. The ebook “Detention, destitution and deliberations” is a collection of short stories by Victor Mujakachi about the UK asylum system. Mujakachi, who faced political persecution in Zimbabwe, tells of his detention at Morton Hall immigration removal centre and his release following a successful campaign. Bailor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
There has been a rise in Covid-19 cases in Sheffield in the last week with significant spikes in Sharrow and Broomhall. Schools have also seen new Covid-19 cases with Meersbrook Primary School being the most recent to send children home. Greg Fell, Sheffield’s Director of Public Health told Sheffield Live the increases relate mainly to younger people aged 20 to 25 and may be due to students returning to Sheffield early. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
On International Clear Air Day, Graham Jones of the Burngreave Clean Air Campaign spoke to Sheffield Live! about the need for more awareness and action to reduce air pollution. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A London Road cafe owner has said she is pleased the government’s eat out to help out scheme has ended as too many customers abused the offer by bringing takeaway boxes and ordering more than they need. Asia Javed, owner of Desi Cafe on London Road told Sheffield Live! they had welcomed the scheme initially but found it put a lot of pressure on staff and regular customers. The government scheme gave diners 50 percent off up to £10 and was praised by others as a success. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Extinction Rebellion organised a theatrical ‘Bankers’ Tea Party’ street demonstration in Fargate this week to draw attention to banks’ funding and investment in fossil fuels. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Mike Thomson of Extinction Rebellion.
Sheffield dentist, Jim Lafferty, is preparing to swim the English Channel to raise funds for the dental charity DentAid which helps those in the UK and overseas who cannot afford dental treatment. Jim, who lives in Nether Edge and works at Orgreave Dental Surgery hopes to cross from Dover to Calais in around 12 hours and aims to raise at least £5,000. The marathon swim is planned between 9th and 15th September depending on weather conditions. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A Sheffield woman’s petition campaign to let parents decide on safe return to schools has racked up over 100,000 signatures. Jennifer Dunstan launched her “Don’t Fine Parents” petition on social media and plans to take legal action against forced return to schools amid the coronavirus pandemic. Jennifer’s son attends a Special Needs School and she herself suffers from an auto-immune disorder. She spoke to Sheffield Live! about her concerns for care of her son in case she catches the virus. Azz Mohammed reports.
A new cycle track to be built in Hillsborough Park has received planning approval as part of a scheme to encourage more people to take up cycling. The charity behind the project, Access Sports, hopes to encourage more women, minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities to learn to ride. Despite 26 objections from local residents, the £250,000 scheme was approved unanimously. The track will have an area for learning to ride and as well storage space and other facilities to be housed in containers. The project is said to cost around £250,000 and is funded externally. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Peter Price, councillor for Shiregreen and Brightside and chair of Sheffield Council’s Cycle Forum.
Sheffield College has announced that face coverings will be mandatory for students and staff returning for the new term beginning on the seventh of September. As schools and colleges prepare for a new term, social distancing and safety measures are being put in place. The government has said that face coverings will be mandatory in local lockdown areas but otherwise at the discretion of headteachers. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Angela Foulkes, chief executive and principal at The Sheffield College.