Deafblind awareness week aims to increase understanding of deafblindness and to make life better for people who have both sight and hearing loss. Deafblind UK estimates over 400,000 people in the UK have some degree of deafblindness and face related challenges in communication and access to information. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jon Lehan, outreach officer for Deafblind UK.
The third National Windrush Day marks the 72nd year since a generation of African Caribbean migrants arrived in Britain to help rebuild the post war economy. Many went on to work in transport and other public services as well in the steel and coal industries but also faced racism, which sadly still persists as the Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Rob Cotterell, chair of Sheffield and District African Caribbean Centre, SADACCA.
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign organised a virtual rally attended by 100s of activists to mark 36 years since the events known as the Battle of Orgreave during the 1984/85 miners’ strike. Although many involved have since passed away the campaign is continuing its call for a public inquiry into the events of June 1984 when miners were assaulted and arrested by police on charges later dropped after allegations emerged of fabricated evidence and police brutality. The virtual rally included speakers from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and Justice4Grenfell. Sheffield Live! reporter spoke to Chris Peace, event organiser and activist with Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign.
Sheffield’s UnShut Festival of Performance is set to launch a three day virtual events programme of radical and experimental new performance art, online, by post and in the streets. UnShut began as a theatre festival in Sheffield in 2017 and is now home to an array of new talent which is to be showcased in the first week of July. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Lydia Cottrell, marketing officer for UnShut Festival.
Sheffield Council in cooperation with local charities have assisted homeless people with temporary accommodation during the coronavirus lockdown. Charities are now turning their attention to the support needed to avoid those placed in accommodation returning to rough sleeping when the temporary arrangements come to an end. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Daryl Bishop, chief executive officer of Ben’s Centre for Vulnerable People.
As part of the easing of the coronavirus lockdown face coverings have become compulsory to wear on buses, trams and trains with transport bosses reporting the vast majority are respecting the new rules. Bus services in Sheffield have had to adapt to additional Covid-19 guidelines to maintain social distance rules and to maintain enhanced cleaning regimes. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Nigel Eggleton, managing director for First South Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Sheffield’s Migration Matters Festival, the largest Refugee Week festival in the UK, has launched this year as an online celebration of global sanctuary and the positive impact of migration. The festival will feature music, arts, theatre and debate from Sheffield and around the world but all events are to take place online and are free to join. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to festival director Sam Holland.
Sheffield United will be kicking off the return of the football season with an away match against Aston Villa to be shown on TV but without fans in the stadium. The Football Association has decided to recommence games rather than end the season early but stadium doors will remain closed for the time being. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to sports journalist and broadcast presenter Alan Biggs.
Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central told Sheffield Live! the Black Lives Matter movement could be a turning point for the better in society but legislation is needed to stop discrimination. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A pair of cyclists are planning a one day cycling challenge around all of Sheffield’s 165 schools as part of Move More month. Andrew Noble and Craig Malkin are part of the Links School Sports Partnership and came up with the idea to promote cycling and to raise money for local charities. The route, starting and finishing at Forge Valley School, will cover around 160 miles. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!