Greg Fell, Director of Public Health in Sheffield, told Sheffield Live! that testing is being greatly expanded as the government announced that millions more will be eligible for tests. In England all care home staff and residents will be eligible for tests from Wednesday. Military personnel have been drafted in to support drive-in test centres in Barnsley and Doncaster. Sangita Basudev reports for Sheffield Live!
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation have distributed over £200,000 in grants to community groups to help respond to Covid-19. National and local fundraising has so far raised over £600,000 for distribution with the scheme still open for applications. The money will be used to help foodbanks, counselling services and a wide range of other community groups responding across South Yorkshire to the public health crisis. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sam Caldwell, head of grants at South Yorkshire Community Foundation.
Thousands of Sheffielders are facing delays in access to unversal credit and risk getting into debt, according to Citizen Advice Sheffield. The charity says many are experiencing difficulties verifying their details on the government website and some may have to wait more than five weeks before their first payment. Sheffield Live reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Clare Lodder, chief executive of Citizens Advice Sheffield.
A Rotherham couple have set up a 3D print factory in their home to produce protective visors for the NHS. After getting a go ahead to supply Rotherham General Hospital they have upped production to over 100 items per day. Sean Johnson reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield based youth charity Element has launched an online drop-in service to support disadvantaged young people. The informal video coaching scheme will continue the charity’s work to support young people make a positive change in their lives. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield based anti-trafficking charity City Hearts are adapting their support for those now facing the challenges of lockdown. With reports of increased domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis and additional trauma for those who have previously been in controlling relationships the charity is providing telephone and online support. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to City Hearts development manager Kirsty Allan.
Thousands of employees in Sheffield could be missing out on wage payments during the coronavirus lockdown because employers are not aware of changes to the government’s job retention scheme which has now opened for applications. In March the government announced a series of measures to support businesses and to protect jobs, including the furlough scheme which allows employers to ask qualifying workers to stay at home and receive at least 80% of their normal wages through a government grant. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke Shaun Duffy, employment rights advisor at Citizens Advice Sheffield.
Food Works Sheffield has doubled its output and extended its hours to provide low cost food boxes for people facing hardship including deliveries to those unable to leave home. Over 200 volunteers are supporting the social enterprise to prepare ready meals from surplus food that would otherwise have gone to landfill and more than £6,000 has been raised to provide food for those most in need. Sheffield Live! reporter Bethany Gavaghan spoke to Réne Meijer, chief executive of Food Works Sheffield.
Plans to protect the homeless and rough sleepers are not reaching some of those most at risk, according to a charity volunteer. Mark Harvey, a freelance photographer and volunteer at Sheffield’s Archer Project, told Sheffield Live it’s a huge challenge to get rough sleepers off the street and into accommodation, particularly some of the most vulnerable and those with complex needs. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Four care workers are preparing to return to their families after four weeks shielding vulnerable residents at a Sheffield care home. Lynsey Wright, deputy manager at Bridgedale House, and three other care workers are heading home after a month living in with dementia patients to help protect them from Covid-19. A new team will move in to provide continuing care and support. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!