Maltby post box lets residents send messages to those no longer with us
In the heart of Maltby’s graveyard, a small white post box sits beneath the shade of a few old trees.
Plain and unassuming, it draws the eye only if you’re looking closely.
The box was installed by Dignity, a charity which provides support to people experiencing hardships such as homelessness and period poverty.
The initiative allows visitors to send “special deliveries to heaven.”
For those who stop here, it has become a much needed sanctuary to pause, reflect and breathe, allowing visitors to leave a piece of themselves behind for somebody that they miss.
The box is part of an initiative which serves around 45 communities nationwide, arriving in the wake of a summer defined by tension, and noise, and after Maltby was shaken by controversy over displaying ‘patriotic’ flags.
Now the atmosphere around the graveyard feels markedly different.
People come quietly, in ones and twos, carrying cards pressed between their fingers and tucked inside of coats.
Some write their messages in advance, carefully choosing their words; others stand by the box itself, pen poised, searching for the right sentence to share with someone they can no longer see.
Widow, Araminta Dubois, 76, visited with her grandchildren, who had just finished school for the day. They all paused for a moment before posting their letters.
As they walked back towards the entrance, Mrs. Dubois gently wiped her eyes, reminding us of the simple truth - love is eternal.
Each card and coloured envelope represents a conversation that can no longer be spoken aloud, bridging the gap between Christmases past and present.
Mrs Dubois told us she was sending a card to her late father this year, revealing that she only had a handful of Christmases with him before he passed away.
“Even though they’re not with us, it helps you,” she said.
Erin Connoly, 25, called the post box “an amazing, stoic show of love,” adding she wished something like this had existed when she was younger:
She said: “Children will be less traumatised knowing they’re still being listened to by those not around.”
Erin smiles as she shares her own story: “I miss my Nanna”
“I jokingly wrote her a Christmas list of what I needed,” she laughed softly.
“It’s nice to know we can still celebrate together, after all these years.”
As December deepens and the nights draw further in, the white post box stands steady against the cold.
Each letter that falls inside carries with it - a warmth, longing and love, binding Maltby’s past and present together.
Unique hop-on hop-off bus connects three Sheffield villages in Christmas event
A quirky vintage bus will take locals around Ecclesfield, Grenoside and Chapeltown in a coordinated Christmas event between the three areas.
The S35 Christmas Express is an initiative started by Ecclesfield Together.
This year's event will be an expansion from a smaller event on the High Street of Ecclesfield after interests from surrounding villages.
Debbie Roberts, treasurer for Ecclesfield Together, said people are looking forward to seeing the bus "decked out" with festive ornaments.
She said: "The people of Ecclesfield, Chapeltown and Grenoside are very excited about that. We've already heard from people that it's really what they want to see and they're really excited about jumping on the bus."
People can hop off the bus at anytime to participate in exciting activities around along the way.
The famous Old Red Lion in Grenoside will be serving hot chocolate and Chapeltown will be putting on a market.
In Ecclesfield, there will also be a marketplace at Gatty Hall, with local vendors, handbell ringers, craft tables for children.
The market will also see a pantomime, Christmas stories, carols and music shows at the Eppic Theatre.
Ruby Bunn from the Eppic Theatre said: "I'm very excited really. It's a nice community event, bringing all the venues together. It's very interactive and a great way to kick off our holiday season."
Thanks to the funding from the Sheffield City Council and that the event is run fully by volunteers, the organisers can keep the cost affordable for everyone in the community.
Mrs Roberts said: "It's £1.50 hop on and off as long as you like for the day, and it's actually free for children because we decided that that was really key to us.
"We wanted to make it affordable for everybody. We didn't want anybody to be excluded because of costs," she said.
Organisers hope the event will attract around 300 participants of all ages, giving it a community atmosphere and a chance for people to chat with people they otherwise wouldn't meet.
Mrs Roberts said they want to make sure adults and elderly residents in the community had something to look forward to, not just the kids.
She said: "What makes us special? the fact that we've joined three villages I think is quite unique. I've never heard of any events in Sheffield where they're kind of connecting three very distinct places simultaneously."
The S35 Christmas Express will take place on 14 December, starting at 11am and finishing at 4pm.
Sheffield waste collection service denies using “agency strike-breakers”
A Sheffield waste collection service has disputed allegations that it has been recruiting agency staff to collect bins, while its workers continue to strike.
In a press release published on its website in October, Unite, the largest trade union in the UK, had accused Veolia of employing agency workers in Sheffield.
In a bid to disrupt this practice, strikers at the Lumley Street bin depot have since returned to work on a part-time basis.
Sharon Graham, general secretary for the union, said: "Veolia's absolute refusal to negotiate, its outright dismissal of a reasonable pay claim, and its use of agency strike-breakers means Unite's tactics will now seek to cause maximum disruption.
"Enough is enough."
Unite's members, referred to by some as the 'Lumley Street Warriors,' have been engaged in all-out strike since August 2024, when they first demanded that Veolia recognise their union.
With the last recognition offer having been withdrawn just under a year ago, workers at the Lumley Street depot are continuing to fight for their needs to be met.
Beth Whittaker, chief HR officer for Veolia Northern Europe, said that Veolia has not used agency labour to replace striking workers and described the strike as "an inter-union dispute, which Unite could end tomorrow".
She said: “Unite is changing tack and moving towards a route that they say will cause maximum disruption for Sheffield residents. But, for more than a year, Veolia has navigated Unite’s continuous strike action, with teams working incredibly hard to minimise any disruption to residents’ collections and this will continue to be our focus.
“We will continue to stand against Unite's campaign of defamation and remain eager to see a resolution that will enable our colleagues to return to work."
(Source: Alistair Tice)
Veolia maintains that, if it recognises Unite, GMB Union, which holds majority membership at the depot, has promised to launch a counter-dispute, bringing the company's waste collection services to a halt across the city.
Meanwhile, the strikers have refuted any claims that this is an inter-union dispute, arguing that it is the company's responsibility to respond to their demands.
"It's not another union that recognises a union, it's an employer that recognises a union," Chris Lamming, 58, said on the picket line.
"A few lads have gone back because of mental health issues. It has been tough financially and mentally."
Sheffield Home of Football push for greater recognition of city’s footballing heritage
A statue is set to be placed near the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield City Centre, commemorating Sheffield's footballing heritage.
The charity in question, Sheffield Home of Football, are seeking to raise awareness for Sheffield's footballing heritage, and have also made a bid to the UNESCO Memory of the World as a part of their aim for greater recognition as the "home of football".
'Heads or tails', made by local sculptor David Westby, is dedicated to David's brother, Martin Westby, a founder of the Sheffield Home of Football campaign who wrote extensively about football history in Sheffield, who sadly died in 2020.
The statue will commemorate a tie between Sheffield FC and Shropshire Wanderers that took place on the 30th October 1873.
The game is notable for being the only instance of an FA Cup game being decided by the toss of a coin.
The first game of the tie took place in Sheffield and finished a draw. The story was the same for the return fixture at the Racecourse Ground in Shrewsbury.
"So what do you do if you're a Sheffielder? You go the pub," said John Clarke, Secretary of the Sheffield Home of Football charity.
They realised that due to the dire financial situation of the clubs, which had been owned and run by wealthy businessmen in Sheffield industries, they could not afford to play a third game and so had to come up with an alternative; a coin toss.
"As that coin went up in the air, they suddenly realised that there was no more money in football and it was handed over to the poorer people."
A modern fan might ask why they did not settle the tie with a penalty shoot out, but this was not to be adopted until 1970.
The frame of the statue is curved in an S shape to symbolise its beginnings in the steel industry, while the coins are made brass to symbolise how the industry brought money into the city.
For Sheffield Home of Football "the statues have always been on the agenda," but the fundraising has taken some time as it has cost around £40,000.
As a public statue, it has also had to undergo wind tunnel testing which has added time to the project.
The charity are aiming for it to be installed in February 2026, near the Millennium Gallery in the City Centre.
They want the new installation to be the first of a new art trail all honouring parts of Sheffield's football story.
The hope is for this trail to feature a statue of Brazilian legend Pele, commemorating his visit to the city in 2007, where he famously said: "without Sheffield FC there wouldn't be a me."
The trail would feature in Sheffield Home of Football's guided walking tours.
Images courtesy of Andy Kershaw
Has vintage shopping become too expensive?
Shoppers who browse Sheffield’s growing number of ‘vintage’ shops and secondhand stores are no longer able to find the bargain they were hoping for, as price tags increasingly match rival luxury retailers, and in some cases, exceed them.
Dresses, boots and bags can set customers back by up to £150 as the demand for vintage clothing rises, raising questions about how affordable sustainable fashion and the thrifting landscape really is.
The once budget friendly alternative, has increased in popularity, fuelled by social media trends and platforms, including Vinted and Depop, where millions of people buy and sell secondhand clothing.
There are over 30 vintage shops in Sheffield alone, and while these small businesses are reducing the harm already being caused to the environment, some believe they are slowly stealing the spotlight of the original secondhand clothing stores, charity shops.
A member of staff at Scope, a disability charity, has noticed a steady decline in shoppers visiting the shop, and believes this is partially due to the amount of vintage clothing stores populating the high streets.
Scope, like many other charities, have implemented vintage clothing sections within their stores in a bid to increase sales and appeal to younger shoppers.
Alan Dilley, the manager at the Oxford charity shop branch in Fulwood, hasn't seen a drop in sales or customers, but has noticed an increase in demand for vintage clothing pieces.
He said: “There are so many things you could consider being vintage, whether it’s yesterday’s top or a pair of trousers from the 80s, it’s all down to personal opinion.
“The market for clothing changes all the time and charity shops have to do their part in keeping up with the trends.”
Students in Sheffield have mixed opinions regarding vintage clothing; some proudly expressing their support in saving the environment, while others strongly disagreeing with their motive.
Elena Cowley, a student living in Sheffield, said: “I think vintage shop prices are ridiculous.
“I would rather give my money to a charity shop, find something a quarter of the price they’re asking at the vintage shop, and help the environment that way.”
Ellysia Thorpe, also a student at the University of Sheffield, said: “I don’t really shop at places like that myself, but a lot of my friends have been saying how expensive everything seems to have gotten in those shops.”
The quality of vintage clothing is often said to be superior to generic fast fashion pieces, encouraging customers to buy secondhand and support small local businesses.
The manager of the Division Street branch of Glass Onion, Phoebe Price, 28, explained there is a lot of work behind the scenes on how vintage clothing is handled, offering a reasonable explanation for some of the prices.
She said: “Vintage pieces can’t be cheap. We wash everything, we dry everything, not to mention labelling and making sure the clothes are in good condition to be sold.
“It all comes down to understanding why second hand shopping tends to be more expensive, some pieces are more unique than others, some are branded.”
Glass Onion, founded in 2005, has quickly become one of the UK’s fastest growing independent vintage stores, processing up to 20,000 kgs of vintage clothing every week.
“I think being educated about sustainable shopping is really important, but I understand why some people may still turn to purchasing from fast fashion retailers,” Ms Price said.
“Secondhand shopping is meant to be cheap and affordable. Everyone has the right to express themselves within their budget, so it’s really frustrating to see some vintage stores selling pieces for an extremely expensive price.”
Secondhand clothing sales are set to account for 10 percent of the global fashion market in the year 2026.
It is well documented that fast fashion harms the environment due various reasons such as microplastics, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, however, fast fashion appeals to many individuals due to the cheap price and accessibility.
Researchers say the environmental benefits of secondhand fashion remain underexamined, unclear whether this market displaces fast fashion consumption or merely supplementing it.
What we do know however is that secondhand fashion has a significantly lower impact on carbon emissions than fast fashion and large retailers, but this all depends on the consumer and practices of the resale market.
Ms Price, who sees the Glass Onion brand as a movement in itself, said: “Ideally we want to be on the high streets, whether it’s here in Sheffield or in our other locations across the UK.”
650,000 tonnes of used clothing is collected in the UK every year. The sales of secondhand clothing has increased greatly since 2021, however only 30% of this amount is actually sold in the UK.
A lot of the unsold clothing is shipped abroad, mainly to Africa and Eastern Europe, where it is then recycled, which is not an easy process.
Ms Price claims thrifting’ and vintage shopping isn't just for bargain hunters. The store sees many resellers show up during a sale, only to advertise their purchases on Vinted or Depop for an inflated price.
For others sustainable clothing has become out of reach due to higher prices, causing some shoppers to opt for fast fashion, ignore the environmental impact as it is simply more obtainable and fundamentally, cheaper.
Supporting small businesses is undoubtedly a better option for the environment than purchasing from a fast fashion retailer, however the difference in pricing is what many are hesitant about in Sheffield.
Image: Jenny Stoch
“It’s high time we did it”: Sheffield e-bike scheme to arrive next summer
Sheffield is set to catch up with neighbouring UK cities with an e-bike scheme launching next summer.
Lime, Voi and Beryl are among the companies interested in bidding to be Sheffield's first electronic bike scheme.
Many Sheffield residents remember the failure of the cycle-hire scheme in 2018 by Ofo, where vandalism coincided with the company going under.
Cllr Craig Gamble Pugh said he was confident that electric bikes can handle Sheffield's hilly topography.
He said: "It's been nearly eight years. When they were being chucked into the canal and stuff, those schemes were in their infancy. There's a whole industry sector and body of expertise now.”
A cycling advocacy group, CycleSheffield, has had meetings with Voi, and ran a ride event with Lime last Saturday, testing the bikes on Sheffield's hills and discussing GPS virtual docking stations along the route.
John Armitage, Chair of CycleSheffield said: “It’s definitely going to happen. It's just a case of who's going to be here first.
In an exclusive with Sheffield Wire, Mr Armitage added: “We know also, it's not just e-bikes. The scheme is going to be with a company that also does scooters, so it will involve e-scooters as well.
CycleSheffield’s goal is to promote and push the council to improve safe cycling and cycling provisions.
Mr Armitage is optimistic that, whichever company wins the contract, it will be a win for cycle safety.
He said: “It's going to be really important to have more provision, more infrastructure, and these companies are really good at helping advocate for that as well.
“They want safer cycling in the cities they operate in.”
Nat Zimmermann, a member of CycleSheffield, also attended the Lime event.
He said: “A lot of cycling safety comes in strength in numbers.
If people are used to seeing cyclists everywhere, when they turn left, they're going to think; 'Is there a cyclist coming up beside me?' Whereas if there's only a few, it's quite easy to forget.”
Cllr Gamble Pugh, whose ward is East Ecclesfield, said he is excited about giving people another option, especially for Sheffield's less connected communities.
He said: “The further out you get, the more difficult it is to use those active travel options.
“A lot of people in the city would like to be able to leave the car behind sometimes. So having an e-bike would be a great option, but we need to make sure the scheme caters for the further out communities as well.”
Mr Armitage also believes the scheme could plug a gap in Sheffield's transport network.
He said: “We have got really bad night buses and the Uber situation since Covid has got really, really bad.
“So anything else that helps you get home at night is really, really helpful.”
Elsewhere in the UK, e-bikes and scooters have been associated with safety concerns.
In September, the BBC spoke to a lower limb surgeon at Royal London Hospital, who said e-bike accidents were a “massive burden” on their department.
In January, London Centric spoke to three Londoners who suffered severe leg breaks after falling off Lime bikes.
They reported: “the design, weight and speed of the e-bikes used by Lime can transform what should be relatively minor falls into life-changing injuries”.
But in Sheffield, the outlook among the council remains positive.
Cllr Gamble Pugh said: “Sheffield has lagged behind. We’re the last of the UK core cities to have a bike hire scheme, so it’s high time we did it.”
How a new organisation in Doncaster is shaping the future for SEND children
A brand new organisation is aiming to provide SEND children with creative opportunities beyond school.
Shape House Doncaster is launching the start of their organisation with Christmas Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) beginning 22 December.
Funded by the Department of Education, HAF is targeted towards school-aged children who are eligible for free-school meals. HAF is also open to children not eligible for free school meals for a small fee.
The curriculum is focused on creative learning, arts and crafts sessions, music, theatre and outdoor activities.
While HAF will run every holiday period for the next three years, the Centre Leads, which runs HAF, stated how it is also acting as a "soft opening" to their Alternative Provision focus.
Alternative Provision is aimed towards children not in school due to a variety of reasons, and ensures they receive a suitable education.
They have a number of rooms tailored towards the needs of the children, with sensory spaces and accessible toilet and shower spaces included.
The building is currently still under construction.
Chris Medwell, 41, and Jamie Christian, 53, from the Centre Leads organisation have many years of experience working in SEND schools and being parents to autistic children.
It resulted in them creating the idea for a space to "bridge the gap" between schools and the needs of SEND children.
Mr Christian said "opportunities don't come knocking twice" about his choice to leave his teaching role in a SEND school in order to focus on Shape House.
They highlighted how mainstream and specialised schools in Doncaster are "doing the best they can", but the issue of them being at full-capacity makes it difficult for SEND children to get the help they need.
They feel this is of particular important for SEND children who do not have access to a 'Education and Health Care Plans', meaning they are unable to enter specialised schools.
Mr Christian explained how KS3 is a difficult transition period for special needs children due to a lack of support and a change in routine from primary school.
Therefore, he added that that HAF is especially important to SEND children as holiday periods disrupt their routine.
Mr Medwell said it is important they are able to "shape the future for children and young people who get lost in the system".
Their aim is to develop their curriculum over a 12 week period, working with schools and the local authorities to support these children and young people in their future.
IMAGE: Shape House Doncaster
Emergency flood repairs enter next phase to fix River Sheaf wall damage
Urgent repair works continue on a junction of the River Sheaf near Lowfield as temporary emergency flood defences have been installed following significant repeated flood damage to the river bank walls.
Demolition works have been completed on the former Antiques Emporium site at Clyde Road adjacent to the River Sheaf junction.
Demolition site on Clyde Road December 2025
The Environment Agency (EA) acquired the land and ordered the former thriving business's demolition following a severe flood caused by Storm Ashley in October 2024 to repair significant damage to the left bank wall.
Piles of rocks have been dropped into the river where the hole was and a bund has been installed around the site as temporary flood protection measures following further major damage to the left bank wall by Storm Claudia in November.
The Clyde Road/Broadfield Road Junction December 2025
Problems with the river wall stretch back years, and concerns have been raised over the effect further floods could have on surrounding businesses.
There are further worries over the effect repairs might have on the electrical supply, as the junction is located next to an electrical sub-station.
History of the Broadfield Road/ Clyde Road Junction:
The issue was first raised in 2021 when the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust reported a crack in the right hand wall.
The EA installed large pipes as a temporary measure.
In 2022, Storm Eunice caused tree trunks and logs to fall into the river near Broadfield Road , causing it to rise and nearly overflow.
The Environment Agency undertook work to repair the right hand wall by installing steel sheet piling backed by concrete.
River Sheaf metal sheets February 2022, Photo Credits: Andy Buck
In October 2024, Storm Ashley caused a section of the left bank wall on the opposite side to be ripped away and damage to the 100-year-old footbridge, debris falling into the river.
The EA reconstructed the left wall to make it more resistant.
Clyde Road was closed following the flood and has remained shut for over a year, but is due to reopen by the end of 2025.
In August, the EA issued a Compulsory Purchase Order on the Antiques Emporium and its land, causing the business to close.
They then began demolition works on the property.
In November this year, damage from Storm Claudia resulted in large sections of the wall falling into the river, with a 2m deep cavity under the right bank wall underneath the power sub-station.
River Sheaf Wall November 2025, Photo Credits Andy Buck
Local Reaction:
Alex Jackson is Managing Director of Wolf Safety Lamp Company Ltd based at Saxon Road a minute's walk from the junction.
Mr Jackson has become more concerned about the risks of flooding for his business in recent years.
His company building is situated next to the power sub-station so has invested in additional defences for his company.
Wolf Safety Lamp Company Ltd's additonal temporary flood defence
He said the situation is at a "five-year low," and the site was currently an "eyesore," but acknowledges the processes the Environment Agency must undertake.
He added: "I want the river to be safer and for the site to be turned into a nice area for the community and for people to enjoy."
Andy Buck, a spokesperson for The Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust, said the Trust has had good communication with the Environment Agency, and said the purchase of the Antiques Emporium land was necessary to repair the damage done by the storms.
Sheffield City Council have stated: "Since the flood wall failures at Broadfield Road/Clyde Road, the EA remains in close contact with Sheffield City Council and are keeping us informed as the repair works continue with weekly briefings.
"We have assisted the EA in providing newsletters to Councillors and local residents to update them at regular stages as the emergency works have progress.
"The relevant officers at Sheffield City Council have been fully briefed and a contingency plan is in place to deal with any potential flooding should there be any issues.
We appreciate the EA's efforts to maintain the standard of flood defence throughout and reach a secure solution as soon as practicable."
Future of the Broadfield Road/Clyde Road Junction:
The EA and Sheaf and Porters Rivers Trust are now considering options for the site's future and the Trust is hopeful the final design can ensure the long-term protection of businesses from flooding while also facilitating the growth of wildlife and biodiversity in the area.
Mr Buck said he would like to ensure public enjoyment of the river and the solution to be beneficial for the environment such as a pocket park.
The Environment Agency is expected to undertake further work on the right bank under the sub-station in early 2026.
“Infertility already brings heartbreak” The reality of cuts to funding IVF cycles
The founder of a male infertility support group has voiced his concerns after cuts to fertility treatment in South Yorkshire, were announced this month, meaning new patients will only be offered one cycle of treatment instead of two.
Shaun Greenaway co founded NeXYs Fertility, after being diagnosed with an infertility condition, Azoospermia, in 2018.
"News of cuts in Sheffield feels devastating," he says. "For funding to shrink at a time when global fertility rates continue to decline fells short sighted and harmful to future families."
Mr Greenaway helped set up the national platform to bring awareness to male infertility, after a lack of support following his diagnosis.
Image courtesy of Shaun Greenaway.
Infertility is defined as a disease by the World Health Organisation, with one in six people of reproductive age experiencing infertility in their lifetime.
"IVF is not a lifestyle choice," says Mr Greenaway. "Nobody chooses clinic, injections and repeated cycles without reason. They do it because they want a child in their arms and because there is no other path left to try.
"If the government want to protect the next generation, they should strengthen access to treatment rather than reduce it."
Three years after his diagnosis, Mr Greenaway was offered In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), funded by the NHS, and his twins, now aged four, were conceived. "I think often about the fact that we may not have our children today without NHS support," he says.
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) in South Yorkshire, which covers patients in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, made the announcement on December 3, that new patients will only be offered one cycle of treatment instead of two.
This is despite the fact The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines state women under 40 should have access to three NHS funded cycles. However it is up to local care board's to decide how many cycles their area will receive.
Chris Edwards, Interim Chief Executive at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “This has been an extremely tough choice, but it must be considered in the wider context of improving health outcomes for our whole population and ensuring fair access to services for everyone across South Yorkshire."
The cuts hope to save the ICB £400,000 annually, as moves to prioritise access to primary care, such as GP appointments, are made.
South Yorkshire are not alone in their decision - 67% of ICB's in the UK only offer one cycle of IVF. Only 10%, follow NICE guidelines, offering three NHS funded cycles. Patients in South Yorkshire who already undergoing treatment will continue to receive their existing treatment plans.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK fertility regulator, revealed one in 32 UK births in 2023 were via IVF – roughly one child in every classroom.
A reduction to NHS funded cycles means patients who cannot afford private treatment are at a disadvantage.
The Fertility Alliance, a national charity, who also voiced their concern, said: "We are deeply disappointed by the decision to reduce funding for those impacted by fertility issues in South Yorkshire, creating a two-tier system where only those who can afford to pay will be able to access the medical treatment."
A report by the South Yorkshire ICB reiterates the financial strain this latest decision will bring, especially within socio-economically deprived families.
It states: "The cycle reduction risks widening inequality as fertility outcomes would become increasingly determined by the ability to pay privately after one unsuccessful NHS funded cycle."
Doncaster Council expressed their concern that the reduction to IVF cycles will create a "postcode lottery".
Financial inequalities are projected to cause a rise in mental health concerns, as success rates of IVF treatment are significantly reduced.
Rachael Leslie, the Director of Public Health in Doncaster Council, says: "Limiting treatment to one cycle may reduce overall success and increase emotional distress and relationship strain. IVF provides an opportunity for resolution, and multiple cycles may reduce the impact of initial failure and increase the chance of successful treatment.”
As a result, an increasing pressure will be put on mental health and primary care services. The ICB recommend that additional support services are offered to patients to help relieve this.
Local organisations also worry about the effects of this reduction. TFP Nurture Fertility run private fertility clinics, serving many patients from across Sheffield.
"Access to multiple cycles of IVF is important for a multitude of reasons, including those with a low egg reserve or patients seeking pre-implantation genetic testing," says Dr James Hopkisson, Medical Director at the clinic. "The latest news will be a devastating blow for families across the region and its impact will be something felt by future generations.”
Small businesses win big at South Yorkshire Business Awards
A women's led consultancy and one of "Sheffield's best kept secrets" that saved the NHS £800,000 this year were amongst the winners at this year's South Yorkshire Business Awards.
Sheffield charity, SCCCC, won the Best Not For Profit, Charity or Social Enterprise and the Innovation Award at unLTD's business awards.
They work to reduce loneliness among the elderly by offering prompt hospital discharge and after-care support, resulting in only 3% of readmissions from over 65s in their care.
SCCCC celebrated their 60th anniversary this year, but Mark Storey, Chief Executive, says they still struggle with recognition for their work.
He said: "We're seen as Sheffield's best kept secret. Why are we a secret?
"To be able to say we're SCCCC, this is what we do and this why you should know about us, this is what this platform provides."
Ceremony hosts, unLTD Business, a business magazine, support small and medium-sized companies across South Yorkshire.
Joseph Food, 32, Editor at unLTD Business, said: "The smaller guys don't get as much love, but they work just as hard and they're doing just as much valuable work".
Ash Birch, 39, Web Editor, highlighted how the ceremony provides organisations all around South Yorkshire with publicity, networking opportunities and the chance to celebrate.
He said: "It's been a tough year for a lot of businesses and I think we need to recognise that.
"We need to help people make these connections so they can thrive next year and hopefully reflect upon what they've achieved this year."
Other winners of the night included Moss Valley Fine Meats who won the Sustainability and Net Zero Award, and all-female Inclusive Consulting who won Best Recruitment or HR Business.
Farmer Stephen Thompson, 65, prides himself on the sustainability techniques his farm utilises and during his acceptance speech he called for more support for local farmers.
Afterward he spoke about his friends' forced business closures and his advocacy work.
He said: "We're being slated by inheritance tax so I'm spending a lot of time in London fighting."
Emma Conroy, 45, Founder of Inclusive Consulting, celebrated the chance to be nominated alongside only female-founded businesses.
Ms Conroy spoke about the significance of the award.
She said: "I'd certainly like to think it would encourage other female entrepreneurs to start up themselves."
This was unLTD Business Award's third year - in the future they hope to expand to other cities and remain committed to celebrating and supporting smaller businesses.
Sheffield University students “feel undervalued” by risk of staff redundancies
Image: Terry Robinson
Students at the University of Sheffield have written a letter to the Vice-Chancellor in support of their lecturers' strikes, over concerns staff will face compulsory redundancies.
Final year Modern Languages and Cultures students sent a firmly worded email to senior management demanding they are reimbursed for any missed tuition due to the industrial action, which has been taking place for the last four weeks.
They said they feel frustrated that, despite plans for a new £86 million STEM building, their tutors may lose their jobs.
This comes after the University revealed they are still navigating financial challenges.
As well as being concerned about her own education, one student, Beatris, 21, said: "The main cause of concern is the welfare of the staff. They shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’re going to be paid or not, or if they are about to lose their job from an institution they have been so loyal to."
The students are trying to balance their allegiances to their lectures with the importance of their final year studies.
They have voiced concerns their education will suffer due to the ongoing disputes, stating in the letter: "We feel uncomfortable paying into a system that does not fairly reward or recognise the efforts of our lecturers."
In response to the strikes, the University has proposed lecturers should make up missed teaching hours in January. They otherwise risk losing 100% of their pay for the hours spent on strike.
Modern Languages and Cultures student, Kirsten, 23, said. "The University’s decision to find a loophole so they don’t have to pay out compensation to the students says to me that they don't even care for the students they are supposedly serving."
The University claims these cuts are being made due to financial strain, saying they need to save £50.7 million.
Though it has offered "to commit to there being no compulsory redundancies before 31 October 2026 and an additional pause on all new restructures until April 2026," the UCU have refused to settle.
In response, the UCU stated: "A good risk management process will identify and make these changes gradually without disrupting the operations or resorting to large scale human/financial costs (like firing or massive restructuring of employees)."
Beatris and Kirsten fear potential redundancies will follow a growing trend at UK universities, including Cardiff and Nottingham, where arts and humanities degrees are being cut.
Another student, Lucy, 21, said: "This affirms the view that the arts in general are being neglected. It shows the increasing demand for STEM-based careers and the arts are being sidelined."
Potential redundancies have been announced despite plans for a new £86 million Central Teaching Laboratory in the Faculty of Science to 'attract high quality students to Sheffield.
Esme, 22, also a Modern Languages and Cultures student, said: "It makes us feel undervalued. We pay the same fees as STEM students."
Beau Greaves applauded for inspiring women’s darts ahead of World Championship tie
An ex-BDO professional darts player and academy coach has shared memories of witnessing Beau when she was just a child, having shocked many players in Doncaster when playing people three-times her age.
James Thomas, owner of Next Gen Darts Academy in Beighton, is convinced that she will make a deep run at the World Championship this winter and is more than capable of beating some of the best players in the world.
He further emphasised the exposure Beau has been getting, originating from local town interest and progressing to worldwide recognition for her elite level of darts and 100+ averages that have stunned ex-professionals.
Thomas says: "I first met Beau when she was 10 -years-old. She played in the Sheffield Darts Masters and by 12 she beat a lot of the older players."
Darts academies and shops have grown amidst the sports' rapid growth, where the academy encourages girls to start playing darts, where the gap between men and women in the sport is closer than ever.
The academy has had plenty of girls come through their doors, with many looking to emulate Beau's current achievements, reaching new heights in development whilst maintaining the importance of having fun.
He also reflected on fellow female professional Fallon Sherrock, who was the first woman to win a game at the World Darts Championship in 2019, believing that Beau will soon follow in her footsteps.
Thomas says: "Anyone that knows Beau knows that she is special. It's no surprise she is where she is now."
When asked about the importance of more women's darts events being available, he told us that the Junior Darts Corporation had their first ever Women's World Championship this year, with a lot of good things to come in Ladies' darts.
The importance of women's development is vital to him, sponsoring 15-year-old darts prodigy Taylor Field, who is the 13th in the World Darts Federation's U18's women's rankings and 79th in the UK and Ireland in all ages.
Thomas says: "There's a pathway for the women's game that there wasn't before".
The three-time women's world champion and youngest ever female player at the tournament is playing in her second PDC World Championship, looking to make a run after beating Luke Littler in the World Youth Championship last month.
She has set the women's game alight this year, earning a PDC Tour Card after winning 13 Challenge Tour events and finishing second on the Winmau Development Tour.
She has been drawn against Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney on the 19th December, which will be a welcome challenge to her, facing a key figure within the sport that has won PDC titles and participated in the Premier League.