Refugee charity says Sheffield’s status as City of Sanctuary “can’t just be a title, it needs to be a commitment”
Sheffield organisations are renewing their calls to lift the ban on asylum seeker's right to work, as they currently face a 12 month wait.
This comes after the latest immigration statistics show there are 11,490 people living on asylum support in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Aso Mohammadi, a journalist who has been given refugee protection by the UK Government said: "With these anti-immigration, discriminatory and cruel policies, including the ban on work, you have cut off the breath of our life.
"We cannot breathe. Please open the space."
The Lift the Ban Coalition are asking for people seeking asylum to be given the right to work after six months, and for this to be unconstrained by the Shortage Occupation List.
These renewed calls follow Sheffield Council's unanimously passed landmark motion on 5th July 2023 that re-affirmed Sheffield's status as a City of Sanctuary.
Melinda Mo Martinez, Advocacy and System Change Coordinator at City of Sanctuary Sheffield said: "The city of sanctuary can't just be a title, it needs to be a commitment.
"All of these people are human beings.
"Sheffield has a long tradition of fighting for the rights of those whose voices have been silenced, and this is an opportunity to continue that tradition."
She said lifting the ban will allow more refugees to build a life and community in Sheffield because at the minute they are living in isolated hotels away from the city centre where it is harder practice English and integrate with local communities.
The council also committed to join the Lift the Ban Coalition made up of over 300 other businesses, recruiters, think tanks, trade unions, asylum charities and faith groups including City of Sanctuary Sheffield who hope pressure from Local Authorities to MPs will support national policy change to the UK's immigration rules.
Currently, the UK's immigration rules allow for people seeking asylum to request permission to work if they have been waiting for more than 12 months on their asylum claim "through no fault of your own". Such as if the Home Office are delayed in giving someone a decision.
Right to Remain say almost everyone who is given the right to work under this policy is only allowed to work a job on the Shortage Occupation List, a list of jobs published by the Home Office showing the jobs that have a shortage of people working in them in the UK.
Members of the Coalition, Năm Sông cafe in Broomhill, Sheffield are working to raise awareness of the need to lift the ban.
Co-founder of Năm Sông, Jim Rose, 30, said: "It just doesn't make sense.
"All they want to do is come here, make a life for themselves, make a life for their families and also help to contribute to society and they're legally not allowed to."
Mr Rose will be speaking at an event held by Lift the Ban campaigners to launch the local campaign to win the right to work for asylum seekers at Sheffield Town Hall on 15th December.
Sheffield MPs back Christmas fundraiser for Palestinian aid
Labour MPs across Sheffield have joined together to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) as part of an annual Christmas appeal.
The appeal was announced by Paul Blomfield - MP for Sheffield Central - on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week.
In the announcement he wrote: “Each Christmas I organise an appeal for a local or national charity.
“This year I’m raising money with Sheffield’s other Labour MPs for the emergency appeal made by Medical Aid for Palestinians.”
Mr Blomfield is joined in supporting the appeal by fellow Labour representatives Olivia Blake, Clive Betts, Gill Furniss and Louise Haigh; who represent Sheffield Hallam, Sheffield South East, Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough and Sheffield Heeley respectively.
The appeal takes place as Israel resumes strikes in Gaza following a brief ceasefire, during which prisoners held by both Israel and Hamas were exchanged and more images of destruction and suffering were broadcast around the world.
MAP operates programmes in Gaza and the West Bank working to ensure health and dignity for Palestinian communities, providing aid including mental health services and children and women’s health support according to the organisation’s website.
Labour’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza has proved divisive within the party for both representatives and members.
Tensions came to a head two weeks ago, when a motion by the SNP calling for an immediate ceasefire compelled 56 Labour MPs to rebel against Sir Keir Starmer’s more moderate call for a pause to hostilities.
10 Labour frontbenchers quit their posts as a result of Sir Keir’s stance, which was considered inadequate by a substantial number of his MPs.
Counted among the 56 dissenting Labour MPs are two of the MPs backing the MAP fundraiser: Paul Blomfield and Clive Betts, with Olivia Blake indicating on X that while unable to attend the vote for medical reasons - she would also have backed the SNP in the vote.
In her post addressing her absence Ms Blake wrote: “If I were able to attend, I can assure you that I would absolutely vote for an immediate ceasefire.
“I am pained that I cannot be there to do so, but my conviction remains unchanged and I will continue to push for a ceasefire with all the means at my disposal.”
As the conflict rages on, this fundraiser backed by the five Labour MPs representing a broad swath of Sheffield highlights the continued importance of this issue for MPs and the constituents they represent.
The appeal can be found here: Sheffield Labour MPs is fundraising for Medical Aid for Palestinians (justgiving.com)
Percy Pud Given Green Light Despite Weather Fears
Sheffield City Council have confirmed the annual 10k will go ahead despite fears of frozen roads along run route.
There are over 2,000 participants set to run on this year's edition on 3 December at 9:30 am. At the end of the route, runners will be met with hot and cold drinks, as well as a live performance by a brass band.
Temperatures dropped below freezing last night in South Yorkshire. This morning, there were growing fears that the annual race would be cancelled as roads were left frozen.
Richard Dunk of the Steel City Striders, and co-ordinator of the race, has confirmed the run will be going ahead, albeit with a few potential alterations:
Mr Dunk said: "The council are sending workers with a JCB to shift the ice and grit the road this afternoon. There might be a slight turn around on the original course, but we've got the go ahead."
The update is welcome for the people of Sheffield, who consider the December event the signal of the beginning of the festive period.
Police appeal for information after armed robbery in Barnsley
Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery took place on Barnsley Road in Cudworth last week.
Officers responded to the Post Office at 9:15 am on the 24th of November after reports of masked offenders gaining entry to the premises.
The pair allegedly assaulted two staff members who suffered minor injuries, and carried weapons, before they fled the store with a quantity of cash.
The offenders are believed to have left the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage of the incident, or anyone who may have been in the area at the time.
Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 and quote incident number 192.
Footage can be emailed to enquries@southyorkhire.police.uk with the incident number in the subject line.
Blades head to Burnley in must-win game as pressure mounts on Heckingbottom
A potentially season-defining encounter awaits Sheffield United this Saturday as they travel to Turf Moor to take on bottom-placed Burnley.
Just one point separates the two newly-promoted teams with both sides desperately needing a win in their fight for Premier League survival.
United sit 18th with one win from 13 league games and the worst defensive record in the top flight, a run of form that has left manager Paul Heckingbottom’s job at serious risk.
When asked whether he felt under pressure, Heckingbottom said: “No, I’ve spoken with Stephen [Bettis, club CEO], and there’s been no different conversations. There’s pressure from ourselves, because we want to win.”
The Blades had been building some momentum before the international break thanks to a stoppage-time victory over Wolves and an away draw with Brighton, before a disappointing 3-1 loss to Bournemouth last weekend.
United are now four points adrift from safety and cannot afford a consecutive defeat that would see Burnley leapfrog them in the table.
Heckingbottom clarified that defender Anel Ahmedhodzic and striker Oli McBurnie were much closer to full fitness after the latter said the pair were off the pace against Bournemouth following their return from injury.
United will be up against a familiar face this weekend as Sander Berge plays against the Blades for the first time since leaving Bramall Lane for Burnley in a £12m transfer in August.
The sale of a star player to a relegation rival caused controversy among fans at the time, with the transfer indicating the club’s weakened financial position, a situation that Heckingbottom is all too aware of.
The manager said: “Burnley have gone out and signed 15 players for £100m, we couldn’t do that."
"We can’t hide away from what a body blow [losing Berge] was.”
Home side Burnley are without a win since 3rd October and find themselves in a similarly endangered position despite significant investment this summer.
Manager Vincent Kompany will be hoping his persistence with a more adventurous style of play will finally pay off and see his side replicate their 2-0 defeat of United when the sides last faced off in the Championship in April.
Kick-off is at 3pm tomorrow at Turf Moor.
Sheffield Wednesday LGBTQ+ fan group prepares to “strengthen allyship” in Owls’ chosen Rainbow Laces match
Rainbow Owls are at the forefront of Sheffield Wednesday's matchday events this weekend as they prepare to highlight the LGBTQ+ community in football through the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Chris Ledger, founder of Rainbow Owls, described how showing support through the Rainbow Laces initiative is as crucial now as it has ever been.
Mr Ledger said: "Our activities for Saturday's designated Rainbow Laces game against Blackburn Rovers mean that the LGBTQ+ community will engage with the club in a broad manner, including key Rainbow Owls members holding our banner with first-team players.
"Rainbow Laces also helps to develop and strengthen allyship."
The Rainbow Laces campaign is entering its 10th year and is designed to show support for the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in sport.
Rainbow Owls' engagement with the club will include joint youth engagement work with the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme who will be delivering an LGBTQ+ awareness presentation to primary school children. The group will also be holding an informal social at the fan zone.
Awareness and visibility is a vital aspect of Rainbow Owls' involvement with the Owls since it was formed in June 2023. However there is still some way to go before the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome in sport.
Recent research by Stonewall, who run the Rainbow Laces campaign, reported that only 36% of people who responded to them felt that sport was inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.
Mr Ledger was vocal about what he wants to come out of campaigns such as Rainbow Laces.
He said: "The hope is that existing allies will continue their support of us and encourage newer allies to have more conservations about issues in LGBTQ+ football."
The Maddy Cusack Foundation
Maddy Cusack, the Vice-Captain of Sheffield United, was 27-years-old when she died. Many have shared tributes detailing their memories, celebrating her life and praising her work supporting young players. Maddy's family remembers her unique, determined spirit and drive through the creation of a foundation in her name.
Taco Bell halves Doncaster presence after second closure in a week
A second branch of American fast-food restaurant chain Taco Bell has closed in Doncaster, coming days after its Thorne location unexpectedly shut down.
Earlier this week, an anonymous source told the Doncaster Free Press the Wheatley Hall Road branch was to be closed from Wednesday.
According to the source, staff were given just a week’s notice of the branch’s closure.
They said: “One week notice just before Christmas is inhumane. Loyal staff members who have worked there since it first opened have just been dismissed.”
The branch no longer appears on Taco Bell’s website and is marked as ‘permanently closed’ on Google, which has reduced the chain's number of Doncaster locations to two – half of its previous presence.
It is believed Taco Bell do not operate the branches themselves, instead delegating them to franchise operators.
Founded in California in 1962, Taco Bell opened its first branch in the UK in 2010 and now boasts over 130 locations across the country.
Before the closures, Doncaster had the UK’s largest number of Taco Bell branches outside of London.
The Wheatley Hall Road branch opened in July 2021, while the Thorne branch was opened in November that year.
Other Doncaster locations include the Frenchgate Shopping Centre in the city centre and the Herten Triangle at Lakeside.
Taco Bell UK have been contacted for comment.
Barnsley man runs every day for eight years – “I’ve got more mileage on my legs than my actual car”
On Thursday 30th November, Gareth Cooke has ran every single day for eight years. Even after suffering a broken foot on three occasions, and a pulled glute, nothing stopped him.
The born-and-bred Barnsley runner has completed 40 marathons, including the London Marathon, Milton Keynes Marathon, Hull Marathon, York Marathon and Edinburgh Marathon.
He said: "My average mileage is about 42,000 miles in that time so I've got more mileage on my legs than my actual car.
I’ve run every day for eight years. I’ve not had a day off, I’ve not had Christmas off. I’ve run before early morning flights… I’ve had to fit it in in some weird places.
If you want to get good at something, you’ve got to practise it - that’s my theory behind running every day - same as drawing a picture, learning to play guitar, learning a new language."
Despite facing many injuries, the runner explained that nothing has stopped him. He said: “I’ve also broken my foot three times as well, which I wouldn’t advocate running with a broken foot.
Because modern day shoes have got carbon fibre plates in so it kept my foot straighter than what it would've done if it was in a cast."
Cooke takes inspiration from Ron Hill, British runner and clothing entrepreneur. As well as achieving many marathon records, he hold the record for the longest running streak, after running every day for 52 years and 39 days from 1964 until 2017.
Between this time, Hill ran the day after a car crash, in which he broke his sternum, and after bunion surgery, where he used a crutch to help him complete his run.
Even motivation hasn't held Cooke back. He said: “Some days it can be tough - you do have downward spirals but as does anyone.
It’s just like having a certain type of breakfast in the morning or taking the dogs for a walk - I know in the morning, I’m lacing up, putting my shoes on, going outside and running ten miles or five miles or whatever I’m doing that day.
I’ll run twice a day most days because I’m training for stuff - so Monday to Thursday I am going out twice a day so it’s just a routine - as soon as you start doing something enough, it does become a habit."
The 29-year-old runner grew up with an interest in sport, but his passion for running began after his nan, Ann, passed away from lung cancer in 2012 - "I always joked I was going to do a marathon."
After failing to gain a place in the London marathon, he signed up to the Milton Keynes Marathon in 2013 and finished with the time of four hours and four minutes. His personal best in a marathon is now two hours 25 minutes, which he achieved in 2019. It came full circle in 2017, when Cooke won the Milton Keynes Marathon.
Cooke shared that his love for running has developed because of the freedom it offers. He said: "It is free in sense that when you’re outside, you are free, you can go anywhere you want, you can do anything you want, you’re not tied.
It’s just a bit of space and me-time when you’re out and about doing your thing that you’re invested in.
It’s perfect, it’s like an industrial engine - you put something into it and you get a product out - I like that feeling with running as well.”
Cooke never used to run for a club. He is widely known as 'The Running Man in Blue' because he used to always run in a blue vest, instead of a running club t-shirt.
He said: "When you’re running in fields, if you don't run for a club people look at you funny."
He now runs for Barnsley Running Club, after previously running for Penistone Footpath Runners. He also created a group called Team Barnsley, which is a unified group of 1200 members made up of all the running clubs in Barnsley.
“I like to create a team ethos with it. We’ve got a group of about 40 like-minded runners who have started doing stuff together and training together, so it kind of helps.
I enjoy seeing other people I train with thrive and succeed - seeing them do well is always a perk."
During his eight years of non-stop running, Cooke said his biggest achievement was the day after he ran the whole boundary of Barnsley on 4th June 2017. The 73 mile run left his legs so sore, that he considered his five mile run the day after the biggest success of the journey. He said: “My legs were banging the day after.”
The runner's most recent race was the Doncaster 10k on 26th November 2023, where he achieved a personal best.
He said: “Obviously after 8 years of running every day, I’ve had peaks in that where I’ve PB’d every single race, but in the last couple of years, I think I’ve only PB’d in the 10k distance.”
After explaining that he struggles to run quick, he said: “Obviously it felt good to PB at the weekend [in the Doncaster 10k] and show that the training that I have been doing is doing itself justice now.
This weekend it seemed to have clicked at Doncaster and it felt almost like I was running on clouds when you feel like it’s working on that day."
Cooke also entered Sheffield's annual Percy Pud 10k this weekend for its 30th anniversary. He said: "Doncaster is quicker on paper but Percy pub gets a stronger and faster feel."
When it comes to Cooke's goals, he prioritises his marathons. He said: “I put all my eggs in one basket - my marathons - that’s my baby."
As well as focusing on his marathons, he is still determined to run every day - "That's always on my agenda."
Morning Brief: Friday 1st December
Here’s a rundown of three stories appearing on the Sheffield Wire today
A transgender woman facing a 22 year wait to see a consultant at Porterbrook Gender Identity Service has spoken about the impact on her life and mental health.
Refugee organisations in Sheffield have renewed their calls for people seeking asylum to be allowed to work after the latest immigration figures were released.
One Sheffield woman can no longer afford to insure her e-bike after it was stolen for a second time, as Sheffield council seeks to encourage cycling in the city.
Sheffield commuters share “struggles” over December train strikes
Members of the train drivers union ASLEF will take part in a walkout from 2 to 8 December, as part of the most recent wave of train strikes.
The ASLEF union, which has over 21,000 members, covers multiple train lines, including: East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, and Northern. The strikes are set to cause havoc to services going in and out of Sheffield.
Members will also refuse to work any overtime from 1 to 9 December.
Sheffield residents have been vocal about how these strikes will affect them. Holly Ayrton, 25, said: “We are struggling now to work out what we’re going to do but also, in the same respect, I’m very supportive of the union’s strike and I understand the reasons but we have struggled because of it, which is difficult.”
Typically, the union calls for all train companies to walkout on the same day. However, to create the most disruption, different train companies will be walking out on each of the strike days.
When asked about her opinions about the upcoming train strikes, Alice Brengosz, 22, said: “I can imagine it’s going to be quite frustrating but I don’t really mind. I mean people have got to do what they’ve got to do.”
Train drivers at the majority of English Train Operating Companies (TOCs) have not had a salary increase in four and a half years and with the ongoing cost of living crisis, their pay is not stretching as far as it used to.
Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said: “Every time they vote - and they have voted overwhelmingly - for strike action in pursuit of a proper pay rise it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April.”
ASLEF has managed to obtain reasonable pay deals with 14 companies over the past year but has been unable to come to an agreement with all of the train companies that are controlled by the government.
Train drivers are not only fighting for improved pay. Companies are asking for their terms and conditions to be updated, which is an even more complex issue owing to the differing needs of each train company.
With the government’s refusal to deal with TOCs separately, negotiations have been made even harder. Mr Whelan said: “Some TOCs have Sundays in the working week, some don’t. One size does not - cannot and will not - fit all.”
While RMT have just announced the end of their strikes, train drivers under ASLEF are still struggling to get their demands met.
As there seems to be no willingness from the government to listen to the concerns of train drivers, it is unlikely that Sheffield and the rest of the UK will see an end to train strikes in the near future.
Mr Whelan said: “We will continue to take industrial action until the train companies - and/or the government - sits down and negotiates with us in good faith.”
The results of ASLEF's recent reballot have been released, this morning, with members, once again, voting for another six months of train strikes.
Billy Sharp: Where Next for Blades Legend?
“I’d love to stay. I’ve really enjoyed it. The lads have been great. The fans have been great.” said Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp, just over two weeks before LA Galaxy announced that he would not be retained following the conclusion of the 2023 MLS season.
The 37-year-old quickly found his feet stateside, scoring six goals in his 12 appearances for Galaxy, but was released alongside household names Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Douglas Costa.
Sheffield-born Sharp made 359 appearances for the Blades across three spells, scoring 129 goals, but was released at the end of the club’s promotion-winning 2022/23 Championship campaign.
A return to his hometown seems to be unlikely, although United boss Paul Heckingbottom confirmed that he had been in conversation with Sharp during his pre-match press conference yesterday. The club travel to Burnley on Saturday for an all-important relegation scrap.
He said: “I’m in contact with Bill a bit. He’s still looking for a football club… if he’s going to play over here he wants to keep fit and tick over.
“I have spoken to him about it, yeah.”
Despite infamously clashing with Wrexham last season, in which the forward called the Welsh club “disrespectful” and added “I think the referee was helping them as well”, the club have recently emerged as a possible destination for Sharp.
In a recent interview on William Hill’s ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’ podcast, the 37-year-old said: “I don’t hold grudges. If that were one of my better options, why not.”
The forward also revealed that he was close to joining Celtic during the Covid-19 pandemic, in which he was playing for United in the Premier League, but he turned it down out of loyalty for his boyhood club.
“I should have probably gone. But I think my heart took over again with Sheffield United, the loyalty to Sheffield United.”
Sharp is currently one goal away from hitting 250 in the English leagues, and remains the all-time top scorer in the second tier.