Tag Archives: Charity

Sheffield Council accused of failing special needs children

Liesje Dusausay, chief executive of Sparkle Sheffield, the autism charity, has accused Sheffield Council of “abusing” children with special educational needs by failing to provide the right educational environment. Dusausay told Sheffield Live! that many children are still waiting confirmation of their school placements while others are so distressed at their current schools that they are self-harming. Sheffield Council released a statement last week admitting mistakes had been made which the authority said it “truly” regretted. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with members of Sparkle and concerned parents.

Hotel offers food for the homeless

A team of chefs from Sheffield’s four-star Copthorne Hotel have been preparing hot meals for a local charity which supports homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded adults. Chefs from the 1855 Restaurant provided lunches for St Wilfrid’s Centre, Queen’s Road while the charity’s own chef was on holiday. Menus included steak, ale pie and plaice goujons with chips and mushy peas. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield charities work to address ‘cat crisis’

Animal charities and local vet practices have come together in Sheffield to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens. The initiative responds to an eight per cent increase in cats brought to the RSPCA over the last two years, with a total of 31,000 in the last year alone. Six charities and eight vets are taking part in the project. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Carrie Stones, RSPCA cat population control manager for the north.

Children’s Food Trust charity set to close

The Sheffield-based Children’s Food Trust charity, which promotes healthy eating for children, is set to close by the end of September after failing to secure new funding. The organisation, launched ten years ago, employs 47 people including 31 from Sheffield, all expected to lose their jobs. The charity created the Let’s Get Cooking network and has supported schools in England to get ready for universal free school meals. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

National charity serves up free tennis

National sports charity Tennis For Free is to invest in a year-long programme of free family-oriented tennis coaching sessions at Hillsborough Park. In a post-Wimbledon push, the charity has created its first Tennis For Free site in Yorkshire in partnership with Sheffield City Council, Parks Tennis CIC and the Lawn Tennis Association. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake donned his tennis whites and took to the courts.

Age UK Sheffield set to benefit from Amey charity support

Streets Ahead contractor Amey have announced support for Age UK Sheffield as their chosen charity of the year. Staff working on the Streets Ahead city-wide highways maintenance contract that is upgrading the condition of our city’s roads, pavements, street lights, bridges and other street items will dedicate a day of their time to the charity, helping the elderly get more out of life. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Steve Chu, chief executive of Age UK Sheffield, and Darren Butt, accounts director for Amey.

Chilypep win lottery award for work on community cohesion

Chilypep, the Sheffield-based charity working with children and young people, have been awarded a three year Big Lottery grant to bring communities together in the north of Sheffield. The project called Respect and Understanding Builds Inclusive Communities (RUBIC) will support young leaders to act as community anchors and help resolve tensions between different community groups. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Lesley Pollard, managing director of Chilypep.

Sheffield Palestine campaign in 24 hour charity run

The Sheffield Palestinian Solidarity Group organised a 24 hour run through Meersbrook Park to raise money for two Palestinian charities that provide education and support to children in Gaza. The runners will take turns to run through the night in hour long shifts with at least two runners taking part at any time. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Mental health charity facing closure after funding cut

Mental Health Action Group Sheffield has four months left before its doors will shut to service users unless it secures new funding. The announcement comes after a Sheffield Council decision to withdrew grant funding for the Organisation. MHAGS, established in 1992, is based in Creswick Street, Langsett and provides meeting space and support for people with mental health problems. In recent years it has received a £10,500 annual grant from the Council to help with expenditure. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Warp and weft in the Winter Gardens

Traditional tools and methods of weaving and spinning have been on display to the public at a Winter Gardens demonstration. The Hallamshire and District Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers is a charity dedicated to preserving and promoting the craft of cloth-making using traditional hand tools. The group provide informal tuition and a meeting place for fellow craftspeople. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to charity trustee, Leonie Souster.