Disability arts charity Under the Stars have adapted their work with vulnerable people by embracing online technologies and providing support for home-based activities. The charity supports adults with learning disabilities and has been organising social events and studio-based music, drama and dance workshops in Sheffield for over ten years. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to music teacher Alex Deadman and musician Michael Hambrey.

Food banks in Sheffield have been seen a huge increase in demand from families and individuals facing reduced income and delays in processing grants and universal credit. Ben Miskell, councillor for Park and Arbourthorne told Sheffield Live! the S2 Foodbank had experienced a sixfold increase in demand and had distributed 15 tonnes of food in April, while the Spires Centre in Arbourthorne had increased its foodbank service to support over 350 families. Azz Mohammed reports.

Sheffield Flourish, the mental health charity and publisher of Sheffield Mental Health Guide, is maintaining a phone helpline and has moved other support activities online. Deputy mental health director Jo Eckerseley spoke to Sheffield Live! about the impact of the lockdown on mental health support services in Sheffield. Azz Mohammed reports.

Sheffield Flourish helpline: 0114 2737009
Sheffield Mental Health Guide: https://www.sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk/

Rotherham Council have announced a £1.5m emergency financial package for adult social care including additional payments to care homes and support to services for adults with learning disabilities and autism. The extra funding is part of government assistance to local authorities reponding to the Covid-19 pandemic. In Rotherham, 21 out of the 34 care homes have been affected. Care homes will receive grants of £15k towards increased costs such as training and the availability of personal protective equipment. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed Spoke to the councillor David Roche cabinet member for public health and adult social care at Rotherham Council.

Mike Hodson, secretary of Carter Knowle and Millhouses Community Group, has called on Sheffield Council to engage with local community support groups to support the scaling-up of testing, contact tracing and isolation. Speaking to Sheffield Live! Hodson said the next phase of Covid-19 response can not be done effectively without the support of community groups who know their neighbourhoods and the people who are vulnerable. Azz Mohammed reports.

Opposition councillors are raising concerns about the lack of scrutiny of Sheffield Council business due to cancellation of council meetings. Douglass Johnson, Green Party councillor for City ward spoke to Sheffield Live! about how processes have been adapted to the lockdown but said it was a concern that scrutiny committee, cabinet and full council meetings had been cancelled. Azz Mohammed reports.

There have been over 100 Covid-19 related deaths in Sheffield care homes, according to Ruth Grainger, health protection manager with Sheffield Council. Covid-19 related deaths in Sheffield hospitals have exceeded 200 but average daily deaths have been falling since mid April. Grainger said those needing treatment for non-Covid-19 related health issues should put their personal health first as the NHS has the capacity to respond. She stressed the importance of keeping to social distancing and handwashing advice and said those planning Eid celebrations should do so with their own household members. Azz Mohammed reports.

Sheffield’s award-winning Nightingale Care Home told Sheffield Live! that cooperation among care homes has been key to coping with Covid-19. The Ecclesfield-based care home provides specialist support for elderly residents with dementia. Manager Julie Wright said communication and mutual support among care homes has strengthened the ability of staff and managers to cope with the crisis. Jeremiah Malikebu reports.