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Key Fund launches £10m fund to support 300 social enterprises

Key Fund, the North of England’s specialist social investor, has launched a new £10m fund to invest in 300 social enterprises over the next three years. Founded in 1999, the Sheffield-based Key Fund has supported thousands of social enterprises to deliver positive social impact in communities across the North and Midlands. Social enterprises supported can operate across any sector, and could be as diverse as new artists, reducing homelessness, recycling projects and community-run pubs. The new £10m fund includes loan and grant investment packages of up to £150,000 per business. Key Fund have also secured a £4.5m finance arrangement from Big Society Capital, to support general investment activity. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Matt Smith, chief executive of Key Fund.

Sheffield aid group warn of risks from closure of Jungle camp

Stuart Crossthwaite, general secretary of the South Yorkshire Migration, Asylum and Action Group has warned of chaos from closing the ‘Jungle’ migrant camp in Calais. More than a thousand police and officials in France have been engaged in clearing the camp which has housed at least 7,000 people. The UK has now begun to accept some of the estimated 1300 unaccompanied children from the camp. The first group without family ties to the UK has arrived in Britain under the “Dubs amendment” rules, which grant refuge to the most vulnerable.

Sheffield City Council is seeking more funding to support and house refugees

Councillor Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for housing on Sheffield City Council, is asking the government to give local authorities more money to help refugees. Her plea comes after more than a hundred refugee children arrived in the UK last week from the Calais camp known as the “Jungle.” On Wednesday, French authorities in Calais announced completion of the operation to move thousands of migrants out of the camp. The announcement came as parts of the Jungle continued to burn after fires were set overnight and in the morning. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield launch for first Parklife centre to support grassroots football.

The first of the new Parklife grassroots football hubs in England has been unveiled at Graves Park in Sheffield. The Parklife program is a new initiative to develop sustainable community football hubs across the country, raising playing standards and opportunities for all. The hubs are funded by a partnership between the Football Association, the Premier League and Department of Culture, Media and Sport through Sport England together with local authorities and other local partners. Martin Glenn, chief executive of the FA was at Graves Park for the launch. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Spotlight on women in music at Off the Shelf festival

As part of Sheffield’s Off the Shelf Festival of Words, Girl Gang collective and promoter Sheffield Girl collaborated for a music-themed weekend. The event included discussion about women’s contribution to the Sheffield music scene and a participative display to generate a timeline of the history of women in Sheffield music. Shamaan Freeman-Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield Wednesday: Pudil welcomes increased expectations from Owls fans

Sheffield Wednesday’s Czech international Daniel Pudil has said that the Owls will be looking to continue their recent good form as they take on QPR at Hillsborough. Pudil was the Owl’s midweek goalscorer as they came from behind to share the points with Cardiff. Defender Pudil said he understands the increased expectation from Wednesday fans after their recent wins and success of last season.

Social enterprise set to benefit from EU regional investment

Social Enterprise Exchange is a new initiative to support social enterprise in Sheffield City Region and backed by European Union funding. The project aims to promote social entrepreneurship and contribute toward jobs, growth and social inclusion. At a launch event in Sheffield participants heard from local social enterprise success stories. Sheffield Live! is a partner in the community-based delivery consortium together with CM Solutions, Groundwork South Yorkshire, Cultural Industries Quarter Agency, South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Voluntary Action Barnsley, and CVP Bolsover. Shamaan Freeman Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield Wednesday: Tough game expected in Cardiff

The Owls face another difficult away game as they travel to Cardiff City for their Wednesday night fixture. The team go in to the match on the back of a 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town last week. Cardiff will be playing their second match at home under newly appointed manager, Neil Warnock. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed was at the press conference with manager Carlos Carvalhal.

Moor Sheffield and Off the Shelf celebrate 100 years of Roald Dahl

Moor Sheffield and Off the Shelf collaborated in an outdoor event to celebrate 100 years of the popular children’s author Roald Dahl. A fizz-whizzing afternoon was had by human beans of all ages and visitors were encourage to make dirty beast masks, BFG ears or Cinderella crowns. There was even a robot poem generator. Sheffield Live! report Simon Thake was lucky enough to catch up with one of Dahl’s favourite characters.

Protestors urge UK to accept more child refugees from Calais

Protestors gathered outside Sheffield train station on Friday to call for the UK to provide more support in accepting child refugees from the Jungle camp in Calais. The peaceful demonstration was designed to raise awareness of the plight of refugee children. Children’s shoes were lined up outside the station to symbolise the young refugees in need and protestors lit candles and waved banners. A similar protest was also organised in Barnsley. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Val Huzzard from Sheffield Donations for Refugees.