Tag Archives: children

Humanism book for children sent to Sheffield schools

The British Humanist Association have sent free copies to Sheffield schools of the book ‘What is Humanism?’ after a successful national crowdfunding campaign. The book, by Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young, is the first of its kind aimed at primary and secondary school children, and was published to support teachers who want to explore non-religious ethics and humanist worldviews. Carrying the subtitle ‘How to live without a god and other big questions for kids’, the book features contributions from well know faces who also identify as humanists, including comedian Shappi Khorsandi, physicist Jim Al-Khalili and actor Stephen Fry. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with Mike Granville of Sheffield Humanist Society.

Sheffield charity strives to reduce everyday sexism in schools

The Development Education Centre South Yorkshire have released findings of their Gender Respect Education Project which grew out of the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women and girls. The campaign inspired women and girls, and men who support them, to come out on the streets of more than 50 different cities across the globe on 14 February 2013 in a life affirming demonstration of dance, banners and testimonies. The three year Gender Respect Education Project sought to help children and young people to understand, question and challenge gender inequality and violence in a local and global context. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with Helen Griffin, education officer at DECSY.

Sheffield bed company forced to close after infant death

Sheffield-based furniture manufacturer Playtime Beds has been forced to stop trading as a result of a police investigation into the death of a seven month old baby. Police have questioned a 35 year old man as part of a joint investigation into the organisation launched with Trading Standards. North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the seven month old died on 3rd November at a property in Melrosegate, York. Playtime Beds of Sheffield, has issued a safety warning stating that its made-to-measure beds “could lead to risks to children such as asphyxiation or strangulation, falling, entrapment or crushing”. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield charity warns of generation of sweet-toothed children

Sheffield based charity The Children’s Food Trust, have published their first State of the Nation report, with sugar-related obesity presenting one of the most challenging health risks for children today. Earlier this year the Government released their long awaited obesity strategy which included a planned tax on sugary drinks and a programme to cut sugar in products popular with children. The charity’s report highlights the enormity of the task facing parents to get children eating healthily, with many saying they believe their child has too much sugar in their everyday diet. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Claire Rick of The Children’s Food Trust.

Safe@Last merge with Depaul to tackle homelessness

South Yorkshire charity Safe@Last have announced they will merge with the UK Depaul charity, part of a charitable group which operates in seven countries. Safe@Last support runaway children, young people and their families from a base in Dinngington. Depaul also tackle homelessness and currently have a strong presence in South Yorkshire with their homelessness hub on Eyre Street. In the UK, an estimated 100,000 children and young people a year run away from home or care. Shamaan Freeman Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

National campaign highlights children in need of adoptive families

National Adoption Week is designed to raise awareness of the number of children in need of a loving home. The week long campaign aims to encompass all aspects of adoption, including the challenges of adoptive parenting, stories of adopted children and those of others whose life has been touched by adoption. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Liz Coates, assistance service manager at the adoption and fostering service.

Protestors urge UK to accept more child refugees from Calais

Protestors gathered outside Sheffield train station on Friday to call for the UK to provide more support in accepting child refugees from the Jungle camp in Calais. The peaceful demonstration was designed to raise awareness of the plight of refugee children. Children’s shoes were lined up outside the station to symbolise the young refugees in need and protestors lit candles and waved banners. A similar protest was also organised in Barnsley. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Val Huzzard from Sheffield Donations for Refugees.

Sheffield Children’s Centre appeal to mark 25 years

The Sheffield Children’s Centre is appealing for contributions, ahead of their 25th anniversary, to help revamp their facilities for local children. The pioneering, co-operatively run centre on Shoreham Street looks after children of all ages and backgrounds, and it also hosts community events. Built in the 1990s, the Centre will be celebrating 25 years in 2017, and is aiming to renew its indoors and outdoors environment. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Chrissy Meleady, Chair of The Sheffield Children Centre.

‘Too Old at 4?’ National Adoption Week

Figures published to mark National Adoption Week have revealed the average age of children waiting to be adopted is four years old. The figures from First 4 adoption show these children have waited the longest to be matched with adoptive families. Rotherham Council are aiming to provide potential parents with more information throughout the week. The Rotherham Adoption team have been at Wentworth Garden Centre, to speak to the public about their campaign, ‘Too old at 4?’ Social Worker, Wendy Caster says older children, children with disabilities and sibling groups are currently the least likely to be adopted.