Campaigners have handed a petition to Sheffield Council to end the use of the Earl Marshall Guest House in Burngreave to house the children of migrants and refugees. The guest house is routinely used to accommodate single homeless men and concerns have been expressed at the safety of co-housing vulnerable mothers and children. Campaigners claim previous assurances by the council the practice will stop have not been implemented. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
As part of National Adoption Week, Sheffield Council is asking more people to come forward to help change the lives of children across the city by adopting a child. Last year 39 children were adopted in Sheffield and 25 children are currently looking for an adoptive family. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A former Liberian refugee, who came to Sheffield in 2004, has launched a charity organisation to support children in the UK and West Africa. The Akoi Massayan Bazzie – Give Hope Humanitarian Foundation (AMBG2H) aims to deliver humanitarian hope packages to support young people, families and communities affected by wars and natural disasters through public institutions such as medical centres, schools, orphanages, youth centres and prisons. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
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.
A new report by the End Youth Homelessness Campaign suggests public opinion greatly underestimates the scale of youth homelessness in the UK. The findings show that most people believe there are less than 50,000 homeless young people in the UK whereas studies indicate more than 83,000. The study also revealed commonly held misconceptions, with nearly half of people citing drug or alcohol addiction as among the most common reasons for homelessness. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Claire Collingworth of homelessness charity Roundabout.
Primary and secondary schools in Darnall came together for an annual sports day at the City Athletics Stadium on Woodburn Road. The community event, open to parents and children, aimed to promote children’s engagement in sport and exercise. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Nicola Hopkin, PE teacher at Sheffield Park Academy.
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.
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!
Sheffield Council is encouraging more families to help change young people’s lives as part of Foster Care Fortnight. Foster carers in Sheffield look after more than 265 children but fostering homes are still needed in the city. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Diane Hamid who has fostered thirteen children over the past five years.
Sheffield Libraries have launched their Bath, Book, Bed campaign to promote reading to children as part of the bedtime routine. Parents and young children were invited to join the launch event at The Moor Market featuring a special appearance by Pepper Pig, children’s stories from the Little Library and advice on safe sleeping from the Lullaby Trust. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!