A popular Spring Bank Holiday arts workshop series for 7-12 year olds run by Ignite Imaginations in collaboration with Sheffield Libraries is to be run this year as a virtual event. A series of daily, free, artist-led activities will be available online from Monday with a video and online activities sheet for each workshop. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Vicky Rolley, project coordinator for Ignite Imaginations, and Claire South, senior young people’s officer for Sheffield Libraries.

A Sheffield woman is facing a strict lockdown in Colombia after a business trip to the country left her unable to return due to cancelled flights and the closure of airports. Natalia Welch is the founder and manager of Pura Panela which imports handcrafted sugars. She is now staying with family in Colombia under a strict lockdown with just an hour of exercise allowed per day and keeping in touch with her Sheffield partner by video conference. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

The Sheffield branch of the National Education Union (NEU) is calling for schools to remain closed until five safety tests have been met. Opposing government plans to reopen schools on 1 June, the union said schools should remain closed until there is a lower count of Covid-19 cases, a clear downward trend, comprehensive access to testing and a national plan in place for social distancing and personal protective equipment. Government plans are for nursery, reception, year one and year six classes to return on 1 June. The NEU is calling on Sheffield Council to follow the example of other local authorities including Liverpool , Hartlepol and Solihull, which have refused to reopen schools until additional assurances are in place on safety. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Simon Murch, joint secretary for Sheffield NEU.

Shaffaq Mohammed, Liberal Democrat leader on Sheffield Council is calling for a citywide fundraising campaign to support the homeless. The Archer Project, a leading homelessness charity, has closed due to a recent fire caused during a break in. Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed also called on other providers to step in to help those needing food and support. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Sixth form students seeking university places face an uncertain summer with exams cancelled and grades to be awarded on the basis of their previous academic performance. Some are worried they will not get the grades required to make it to their first choice institution. Will Burton, a Tapton School student, feels comfortable with his performance during sixth form but said others were less confident and struggling with the uncertainty as they wait to hear the outcome of the new assessment method. Reflecting on the school closures he said to Sheffield Live! “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. Obviously it’s been a while since we finished now, but it was just very sudden. Lots of people were quite emotional.” Beth Gavaghan reports.

With the celebration of Eid and the end of Ramadan, Sheffield Council is reminding people to maintain safety measures including social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Mazher Iqbal, councillor for Darnall ward and cabinet member for business and infrastructure.

Engineering staff at the University of Sheffield are helping tackle the coronavirus pandemic by producing personal protective equipment for medical staff using 3D printers. Dr Pete Mylon, a senior engineering teacher told Sheffield Live! his team have produced dozens of face shields for staff in South Yorkshire hospitals using the university’s iForge makerspace. Sean Johnson reports.

As vehicles return to the roads South Yorkshire Police and the Safer Roads Partnership are asking drivers to reduce their speed and to be alert to other road users including cyclists and pedestrians. People have become accustomed to fewer cars on the roads and a growing number have taken up cycling to avoid using public transport during the lockdown. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to the Safer Roads Partnership manager Joanne Wehrle.