Website Special Areas

Support services failing for women refugees and asylum seekers

Women asylum seekers and refugees are facing multiple challenges including mental health conditions and homelessness linked to the coronavirus pandemic according to a Sheffield-based support group. In a new report, the social enterprise Development and Women’s Advancement (DEWA) found 82 per cent of women interviewed reported their mental health had worsened and 20 per cent had faced homelessness. Among the problems encountered were difficulties accessing food and accommodation and a lack of language support to enable access to information and services. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to the co-founder and development director of DEWA Ibtissam Al-Farah.

Beth Tweddle’s gymnastic curriculum comes to Sheffield schools

Former Olympian Beth Tweddle’s gymnastics programme is to be made available to school children in Sheffield from September following a successful launch in the North West. The new 10-week online programme focuses on physical literacy, as well as the values of friendship, respect and determination. The programme is aligned to Key Stages 1 and 2, with outcomes across the educational curriculum. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Covid-19 walk-in test centre opens in Rotherham

A new mobile testing centre has been opened in Rotherham to encourage residents to get tested if they show any symptoms of Covid-19. The new walk-in local testing site on Forge Island is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield boy completes second marathon challenge

A nine-year-old boy from Sheffield who has cerebral palsy and autism has raised over £137,000 for charity by walking two marathons. Tobias Weller, known as Captain Tobias, was cheered by hundreds of fans including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill as he used a walker to cover the 52 miles on the street of Abbey Lane. The money will be shared between Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Paces special school where he attends. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Covid-19 funding appeal raises £900k for community projects

South Yorkshire Community Foundation has raised £900,000 to support community projects responding to Covid-19 since the lockdown began in March. Along with funding from the National Emergency Trust, members of the public have donated to support those affected by the pandemic including community organisations, charities and social enterprises across South Yorkshire. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Sam Caldwell, head of grants at SYCF.

Volunteers sought to help with tree conservation

Sheffield’s Street Tree Partnership, set up to oversee the city’s new trees strategy, is inviting those who are passionate about trees and wildlife to join a network of community volunteers. The network will help monitor the health of existing street trees and support the planting and care of new young trees to help maintain and increase the street tree canopy. The new trees strategy aims to improve the neighbourhood and city-wide environment by identifying trees that are dying or diseased and proposing locations and species for the planting of additional young trees. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Darren Butt, the account director for Amey’s Streets Ahead programme.

Tramlines Festival weekend charity fundraiser

Sheffield Tramlines festival has teamed up with Leadmill, Jon McClure and others to raise money for Sheffield causes on what would have been the weekend of Tramlines festival 2020. The event featured a host of online activities from pub quizzes to charity raffles as well as the music. All money raised is to go to Sheffield causes including Roundabout, Sheffield S6 Food Bank, Disability Sheffield, iForge and Cavendish Cancer Care. Sheffield Live ! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Alex Deadman of Tramlines Festival.

Jobs at Sheffield Live!

Sheffield Live is seeking to recruit an Enterprise Coach to support its work as a partner in the Social Enterprise Exchange. The postholder will be supporting start-up and early stage social and environmental enterprises and community projects and will have relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in social enterprise and/or business support.

Enterprise Coach (full time, 37.5 hours/week)
The Enterprise Coach will provide general business support to a portfolio of social enterprise clients.
Deadline: 2300 hrs, Friday 14 August 2020
Download application documents here
Enterprise Coach Job Pack

Here to Help campaign promotes mental health support

Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the range of mental health support available in the city. During the lockdown period the country has seen a 20 per cent rise in anxiety and depression but many refrain from talking about mental health issues or seeking help until problems become acute. The campaign is supported by well known Sheffield public figures who have contributed to a video message. The campaign aims to increase the number of people accessing mental health support early. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Abhi Shetty, consultant psychiatrist for the Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust.