Sheffield residents comment on social media ban as consultation period announced
The UK Government has announced a three month consultation period for potential restrictions on social media, AI chatbots, and gaming sites for under-16s.
The consultation will engage with questions around age verification and curfews for social media sites, as well as whether addictive features such as infinite scrolling and auto play should be turned off to help with sleep.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “Every child deserves a childhood – real experiences, real friendships, real opportunities.
“We are determined to make that a reality, both inside and outside the classroom.”
Several Sheffield schools, like High Storrs and Silverdale, operate no-phone policies, not allowing students to use their phones inside school hours.
High Storrs had previously operated 'no phone zones' for Sixth Form students but moved to a complete ban in 2024, after reflecting on advice provided by the Smartphone Free Childhood movement.
Last month, Ruth Fitzell, a representative from the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, presented Sheffield City Council with a petition showing concern with the level of smartphone use amongst teenagers at a children and families policy committee meeting.
Several councillors supported the proposal to form a group to explore the issue.
As part of the Government’s efforts to support parents, a website has been launched offering online safety advice.
One Sheffield resident said: "There is things you're exposed to that you really shouldn't be"
However, she added that social media use could become "more secretive and that could pose more risk for them".
Another said: "I see a lot of people who seem to be trapped in that phone world."
Last month, Conservative Leader, Kemi Badenoch said that the Conservative Party would support a ban on social media for under-16s.
The consultation period will last until 26 March 2026 and will try to engage with a range of people, including parents, carers, young people, teachers, and academics.
Image Credit: verkeorg, Flickr
Chuckle Brother to travel the length of Great Britain in effort to raise money for Marie Curie
Paul Chuckle is set to start his From Me To You Tour to raise money for Marie Curie.
Chuckle, who hails from Rotherham, will travel over 800 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End on the Marie Curie 'Daff Bike' from March 3 to 11. He hopes to raise up to £40,000.
2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the charity's Great Daffodil Appeal which raises funds to care for people with terminal illness.
Paul Chuckle, the stage moniker of Paul Elliot, is urging people to meet him along his route and give what they can. He said: "If you see a bucket, pop something in.
"Whilst I'd love to be able to cycle the iconic John O'Groats to Land's End route like so many incredible fundraisers do, I'm really excited to get to travel the route with the 'Daff bike', meet lots of people, have some fun and say a huge thank you – from me to you!"
The charity helped Paul and his family toward the end of Barry Chuckle's battle with bone cancer in 2018.
He said: "There truly is only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life. That’s why the Great Daffodil Appeal is so important. Every penny raised will help Marie Curie provide expert end of life care and support to people with a terminal illness and those close to them."
Paul will be stopping:
Glasgow: Wednesday 4th March
Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre, 12-2pm
Bradford: Thursday 5th March
Morrisons Enterprise 5 Store, 12-2pm
Birmingham: Friday 6th March
Victoria Square, 12-2pm
Penarth: Saturday 7th March
Marie Curie charity shop, 12-2pm
Exeter: Monday 9th March
Morrisons Prince Charles Road, 2:30-4:30pm
Plymouth: Tuesday 10th March
Plymouth Argyle F.C, 12-2pm
Paul hopes to see as many fans as possible on his tour. He said: "Marie Curie and I are grateful for every penny you’re able to donate."
You can donate via the Marie Curie Website.
First dedicated dementia research nurse will bridge gap for communities marginalised from trials
One of 20 designated dementia research nurses across the UK has been brought into Sheffield, in an effort to boost accessibility to dementia trials.
A £3 million investment from the Alzheimer's Society has funded Jo Howe's new position in the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation trust making the site one of the UK's first to have this sole dedication to dementia research.
Mrs Howe, said: “I am honoured to be part of the first UK-wide network of dementia research nurses. My main aim is to promote dementia research to both staff and the public and make it easier for people to get involved. "
According to Alzheimer's Research UK dementia is the nations biggest killer and yet less than 1% of people diagnosed with dementia were recruited to early-stage research trials and 95% of those that have are from a diverse background, with 95% being of White British/European origin.
Laura Rooney, Lead research Nurse at Alzheimer's Society, said: "Research will beat dementia, the UK’s biggest killer.
We know people living with dementia are keen to take part in research and find it incredibly rewarding, but so few are offered the opportunity."
One of the specific goals of the Alzheimer's Society's UKDTN Research Nurses programme is to tackle barriers which prevent people taking part in clinical trials; focusing on bringing people from a range of backgrounds into dementia research.
Sheffield Memory Hub is an organisation working to support Sheffield locals primarily of African and African Caribbean descent suffering from dementia by using culturally appropriate cognitive simulation activities.
Carl Case, Sheffield Memory Hub's Co-ordinator, said: "Researchers and organisations need to ask themselves why groups are underrepresented, how they are getting out to them, who they are using, how can they better engage groups and remove barriers?"
He went on to say that for those in the community frequently engaging in trials and research, there is a developing cynicism in being over researched without feedback, impact and implementation shared.
An important factor in building trust, and confidence in the research process
Mrs Howe's new role is an important step in the currently lagging dementia research and The Sheffield Memory Hub will also be taking part in piloting the Admiral Nurses' new face to face support sessions in April.
Sheffield charity looks to future after emergency fund appeal target exceeded
A Sheffield-based domestic abuse charity has surpassed their goal for their emergency fund appeal but warns they must move beyond "emergency fundraising to long-term stability" to ensure it can continue to be a thriving lifeline for women.
Mums In Need is a Sheffield-based charity which supports women and children facing emotional, legal and financial abuse following coercively controlling relationships and post-separation abuse. This includes one to one counselling, financial advice and personal wellbeing sessions.
The organisation was plunged into a funding crisis earlier this year and was forced to launch an emergency fund appeal on Just Giving to raise £12,500 by Monday 2 March to keep critical services operating. The charity had warned supporters that if they did not reach their total then they may be forced to reduce or close their services.
Currently, 70 families are reliant on Mums In Need's specialist support. The charity was forced to close their waiting list for new referrals because of the funding shortfall.
The emergency fundraiser has reached a total of £15,660 at the time of publication, exceeding their original target.
Laura Riley, founder and CEO of Mums in Need praised the generosity of donors in their support for local women and children, thanking them for standing by the charity when it needed them the most.
She said: "I am incredibly relieved, and deeply moved, to share that thanks to your generosity, we didn’t just meet that target… we surpassed it. Your support has been a literal lifeline.
"Your ongoing support becomes the safety net that keeps our services strong and families protected."
Ms Riley said that consistent income streams are necessary for Mums In Need to have a viable, long-term future.
She added: "While this immediate crisis has passed, we are not yet out of the woods. To ensure we never face this kind of uncertainty again, we need to move from emergency fundraising to long-term stability.
"Regular, predictable income allows us to plan ahead and protect our services. It ensures that no family ever loses access to the support they depend on."
You can donate to Mums In Need's fund appeal by clicking on the link below: SaveMIN: Emergency Fund Appeal for Critical Services - JustGiving
Link to Mums In Need website: Support & Info
Wednesday fans’ doubts grow as long wait for new owner goes on
The drama surrounding Sheffield Wednesday's ownership has continued, with the club's preferred bidder dropping out of the battle for ownership
A consortium, led by Dunfermline co-owner James Bord withdrew their interest, as they concluded their valuation of the club was significantly less than their bid of £47.8m. Despite the withdrawal, a number of bidders still remain interested, including former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and American businessman David Storch.
Ashley was formerly CEO of Sports Direct and owned Newcastle United between 2007 and 2021, initially popular, Ashley's time at Newcastle ended in disgrace, trying to sell the club on multiple occasions, renaming the their stadium to 'Sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium' and suffering two relegations. The club was sold to a consortium for £300m in October 2021.
Despite this stint, Ashley has made his interest in Wednesday clear, with his representatives set to meet with the club this Thursday. Ashley's bid is thought to be lower than other's in competition for the club.
Wednesday fans seem split on the potential of Ashley as owner, one fan wrote that if Ashley can ensure no points deduction for Wednesday next season, "He's already the best owner we've had in a decade." Others made more cautious statements.
Other fans are keen on the interest from David Storch, the founder of investment firm Arise Capital Partners. When questioned by the BBC on why he held interest in the club he said : ""When we went to the Wednesday game on 5 November (against Norwich), I just couldn't believe the atmosphere, the energy, the singing, the fan engagement.
"We have a blueprint for proper governance, fan engagement, financial stability, sustainability and football strategy."
Storch is adamant the club will not accept any points deduction in League One, as he aims to guide the team back towards security. His strong promises have won over some fans. One Facebook user said: "I like what Storch has had to say about plans for infrastructure, engaging with the fans, etc but I also like that he's quite clear on being sensible with the purchase price."
The club have announced: "We have set a clear deadline for new indicative offers and will move forward without unnecessary delay."
They said: "We understand this news will be disappointing.
"However, the Club is funded for the remainder of the season, interest in acquiring Sheffield Wednesday remains active, and the sales process continues."
Sheffield bars celebrated annual cocktail festival
Bars across Sheffield have come together under one roof to host their annual cocktail festival.
Last Saturday, over 20 bars and brands served their most popular drinks at The Steamworks venue. Alongside live music and food trucks, the festival allowed people to experience their favourite bars in one place.
The festival also offered other entertainment outlets, such as a 360 video booth and small business vendors to purchase from.
Speaking to bartenders at Kuckoo in the city centre, the festival is important in highlighting Sheffield's hospitality sector. They stated: "It is a really great opportunity for Sheffield to showcase what it has to offer.
"We can talk about what makes us unique and what we have to offer as a business."
Dead Donkey Bar, located in Southwest Sheffield, also celebrated the city's hospitality. Bartender, Doug, said: "The fact that you can walk in and see how many businesses are here makes you realise how much of a diverse scene Sheffield has compared to other northern cities." He also praised how friendly the community is.
The premise of the festival is to celebrate what Sheffield has to offer. Danielle Hill, the organiser of the festival, said: "I wanted to create something that gives people the feeling of walking around Sheffield on its best night, but all under one roof. It’s a way of championing the people behind the bars as much as the drinks themselves."
Miss Hill highlighted that this was a significant time to host the event as it gives the city something to look forward to, and gives businesses a boost after the tough winter months.
While it is pivotal in raising the profile of individual businesses, it also brings the community together. Miss Hill stated: "It builds brand partnerships, gives teams something to be part of, and creates content and momentum they can use long after the day is over."
As well as the bars, Weston Park Cancer Charity also attended. The charity was selected by the festival, hoping to raise funds for the charity's efforts to continue giving free advice and help to those living with cancer.
The charity had a raffle, with all prizes having been donated by the bars that attended. Last year, the charity managed to raise £2,000.
The bars were also under friendly competition, with judges giving prizes to: best bartender, best dressed bar stand and best bar duo.
Attendees of the festival also enjoyed the event. One attendee said: "We are here to try all of our favourite venues in Sheffield. It is so nice to support them."
“Goal is to go four for four”: League leaders, Sheffield Hatters, aim to win all trophies this season
Sitting at the top of the Super League Basketball standings, winners of the Betty Codona Trophy, and through to the SLB Cup final, the Sheffield Hatters are well-placed to complete the quadruple this season.
“Going for the quad was our goal at the start of the season internally, and obviously we're on track for it but we have to play hard, we had to play tough today to win,” said Hatter's head coach Vanessa Ellis, after the match against the Caledonia Gladiators on Saturday. “Nothing comes easy, but anything worth having you have to work hard for and I'm really pleased and proud of the team and the effort that we put in.”
The quadruple consists of winning the SLB Trophy, Cup, league title, and the Play-off final. The last team to win all four was the London Lions in 2023/24.
The Hatters strengthened their position, maintaining their first place in the season's standings with a victory against their biggest title rivals the Gladiators at the Canon Medical Arena.
Sheffield-born, Georgia Gayle believes the Hatters have a strong chance at completing the quadruple as the team prepares for the SLB cup final against Manchester on 22 March.
She said: "We've beat everybody already, so why shouldn't we."
Listen to Shauna Harrison speaking about the match with the Gladiators and how the team is feeling about upcoming final:
The Hatters are on their eighth win in a row after beating the Gladiators 83-70.
Gayle said the key to their current success is their strength as a team.
"We know that teams can't sustain staying with us for 40 minutes," she said. "We have a lot of depth in our team so we can sort and rotate everybody, and I feel like maybe other teams don't have that there so eventually they're going to start to slow down and that's when we turn it up."
Antoinette Lewis, named most valued player of the match, said: "We're excited. The goal is to go four for four, we’ve won the Trophy, we've made it to the cup final, we know it's going to be hard against Manchester in Manchester.”
The team is ready to “go in fighting” in the final to continue their mission for the quadruple.
Historic England remove objection to old John Lewis building renovation after redesign
A redesign to the facade of the Cole Brothers building has been approved by Historic England, which previously expressed concern over a lack of historical preservation.
Historic England, the body responsible for listing and preserving significant buildings in the UK, said in a letter to Sheffield City Council that it has "no objection to the applications on heritage grounds".
Urban Splash, an architectural firm based in Manchester that operates all over the country, submitted their original plans for a renovation of the Grade II listed building in September.
These plans aim to turn the former department, store built in 1963, into a mix of flexible workspaces, cafes, leisure spaces, and more.
The Council consulted with Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society (C20) on the original plans to ensure the essence of the original building is preserved.
Both organisations expressed concerns with the design, most of all the main facade, due to the extent of the changes, which the C20 society called "unnecessary".
These changes concerned how the design replaced the existing darker mosaic tiles which are in a state of disrepair, with perforated panels intended to replicate the current look.
However, a redesign submitted on 12 February changed the proposals for the main face of the building, taking on board advice on how to better preserve the post-war architecture.
Some residents have expressed support for a more cautious approach to the renovation, with one saying: "If they are going to change it, as long as it isn't going to be anything too dramatic, then fine"
Another said: "I feel quite strongly that they should keep it true to its nature as it is now."
But this feeling is not universal, as one man said he wished they would "knock it down".
While they were in opposition to the original design, the C20 Society said they were excited about the possibility of the building being renovated, but that they had not yet looked at the new design.
The planning application is awaiting approval and notices informing the general public were put up around the site last week with comments from the public being accepted until 23 March.
Image credit: Urban Splash
Hospice hosts “genuinely magical” community event as part of Ramadan outreach
A day-long 'Ramadan experience' event organised by Rotherham Hospice ended in a community iftar meal at a local primary school last Thursday.
About 300 people attended the evening meal, which Ian Tankard, the Executive Headteacher of Coleridge Primary School, said was a "genuinely magical event that highlighted our community’s warmth, respect and inclusivity".
The Ramadan experience day, which was the second of its kind, was organised by Mirban Hussain, the EDI lead at Rotherham Hospice, a role which is partly centred around community outreach.
He said: "Part of my role is about raising awareness across all communities, to break down barriers and show how a hospice can support them.
"I'm wanting to build relationships between the communities and the hospice itself."
The Ramadan experience day is one in a long list of diverse community-focused events that Mr Hussain, and the hospice, have organised, which include a Lunar New Year celebration, pride celebrations, and an upcoming Holi Festival.
Acknowledging cultural and religious events is something the hospice focuses on in order to strengthen community relationships, with mutually beneficial results.
"These events help people feel seen and respected at very vulnerable moments," he said.
The day began with a pre-dawn suhoor meal and guided tour at the Jamia Masjid Abu Bakr Mosque on Russel Street in Rotherham, which was attended by 18 people, including doctors and healthcare professionals.
Mr Hussain said including a judgement-free question-and-answer session allowed attendees to ask questions that could help them to understand more about the culture and beliefs of their patients.
The attendees were invited to keep the fast throughout the day, but with no compulsion to do so, which Mr Hussain referred to as a chance to "experience Ramadan in more than abstract terms".
The decision to break the fast in a local primary school was a change from last year's event which was hosted in a second mosque.
Mr Hussain said: "It helped us to engage with certain members of the community, who may have barriers to accessing healthcare, it means they can talk to a friend, talk to a schoolteacher, and the hospice can support them."
As well as acting as community outreach, the event provided an opportunity for the children and adults of the community to share in a meal that was provided jointly by the school and hospice.
Mr Tankard said: "The atmosphere was calm, joyful and deeply respectful, and it was wonderful to see so many people coming together at the end of the day to break fast as one community."
The staff volunteered, and decorated the hall, and Mr Tankard said: "The countdown to sunset and breaking fast together was a powerful and moving moment for many with a Imam reading a Duua."
The school are also using a key aspect of Ramadan, Zakat, which means charity, to partner with the hospice to support the compassionate work they do within the local community.
The Executive Headteacher said: "Our aim is simply to raise awareness and offer families the opportunity to donate voluntarily if they wish, through activities taking place later in the term.
Our focus is on strengthening community understanding and supporting a cause that aligns with the spirit of generosity during Ramadan."
Mr Hussain said that hosting the iftar event in the school not only aligned with the values of Ramadan, which are more than visible fasting, and that include reflection, patience and togetherness, but also with his inclusion work with the hospice.
"This is not about imposing practice, it is about compassion, empathy, cultural humility, and creating space," he said.
"It doesn't matter if it's Ramadan, Pride, these are marginalised communities, with specific barriers, its about improving trust and dignity, and making space for our communities."
“The missing piece of the jigsaw”: Sheffield regeneration plans for safer routes announced
Major streets could face a redesign in Sheffield City Centre, with the aim of making it 'safer and easier' for pedestrians.
The Townhead Street junction and Leopold Street are among the names on the list.
Sheffield City Council said: "This is a chance to turn an outdated, traffic dominated junction into a greener, more welcoming space that supports local businesses and creates stronger links across the city centre."
The changes will see more seating, improved crossings and better taxi facilities. Drivers will also no longer be able to turn left into Church Street, and will now be diverted via Holly Street.
Councillor Ben Miskell told the BBC: "We have already made massive improvements to large parts of the transport network in the city centre and this project is the missing piece of the jigsaw - it will complement those other elements brilliantly."
In response, social media users have spoken out in support for the plans: "This plan considerably improves access for pedestrians. It reduces the junction width and traffic gives priority to pedestrians and removes the barriers which force pedestrians into lengthy detours."
However, some users are claiming the focus on making the centre walkable will deter drivers from going into the town centre, subsequently leading to less business.
"Please make roads accessible for vehicles. Most people use them it's the best way of getting around."
Many also feel as though this funding is misplaced and should be being spent on "filling potholes" rather than to "pander" to non-drivers.
"I've got no problem with revamps, but surely they have to be beneficial," said another user.
Their is currently a public consultation taking place until March 22 for people to give their opinions.
“Blood on their hands and paint on their buildings”: protesters vandalise HSBC overnight
Windows were smashed and red paint was sprayed across HSBC's 'global IT hub' building in Sheffield city centre last night.
Painted words reading "Free Palestine" and "Drop Elbit" - referring to an Israeli defence firm the bank has ties to - were splashed across the office entrance.
An official statement from South Yorkshire Police described the culprits as "a group of people wearing face coverings" who escaped in the direction of Pound Park in the early hours of the morning.
By midday the paint had been removed from the entranceway.
On Reddit, user LegitimateHurry8309 reacted: "Lunch time and the text has already been removed. The devil works fast but those funding genocide work faster." HSBC told Sheffield Wire it would not comment on that accusation.
Another user, RevolutionaryEgg1312, added: "Blood on their hands and paint on their buildings. Many thanks to the BDS movement."
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) describes itself as "a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality." The group has not officially claimed responsibility for the protest against HSBC.
A spokesperson from HSBC said: "Criminal acts against our offices and branches threaten the safety of our colleagues, customers, and our ability to serve the community, including some of the most vulnerable people who rely on our network. Safety is our priority, and we are actively assisting law enforcement to ensure accountability for these attacks."
“We couldn’t believe we’d done it”: What the Green by-election win means for Sheffield
Around 50 Sheffield Green Party members supported the “exciting” campaign in the Gorton and Denton by-election, as Hannah Spencer became the first Green MP in the North.
Last Thursday's by-election saw the Greens win the east Manchester seat with 40.7% of the vote, a 28% increase since the General Election in 2024.
Before the by-election, the Gorton and Denton seat was held by Labour for nearly 100 years.
Reform came in second with 28.7% of the vote, a 15% increase since 2024, and Labour received 25.4%, representing a 25% loss.
Dylan Lewis-Creser, 21, was among the Sheffield Greens who went to the constituency on polling day, which they described as “really exciting”.
Dylan spent the day knocking on doors of people who had previously indicated they might vote Green.
They said: “A lot of it was people worrying about how to stop Reform. I think we won that argument because of the polls coming out and showing we were the tactical choice.
“People are rightfully angry. The system doesn't work for people, and it's showing that there is an alternative that doesn't rely on demonising immigrants, scapegoating disabled people, but actually looks to broader system change that brings up everyone and doesn't pit us against each other.”
Dylan described the day as positive and friendly, even when bumping into other party members including Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting in the morning.
They estimated 2,000 Green Party members were out campaigning in the constituency on 26 February, with around 50 from Sheffield.
They said: “Typical Green Party local election campaigns have been focused on defending the seats we already have, to make sure our vote holds up, but now it feels quite different.
“There's wards all across the city, that I think Greens have a shot in. Just because people really want an alternative.”
Another Sheffield Green Party member, Tom Atkin-Withers, 22, spent 11 hours outside a polling station in Levenshulme, before celebrating the win at an afterparty.
They said “the room exploded” the moment Hannah was announced as the Member of Parliament.
“We couldn’t believe we’d done it.”
They said: “It was immense, Sheffield people kept going to Gorton basically every day [in the run up to the election]. We’re one of the nearest large local parties in the Green Party, so it makes sense.
“We knew that our first Green MP in the North would open the floodgates for us to an extent, that it would be a good thing for the entire party and for the entire North, for all the various local parties, if we won.
“People would take notice and that means that maybe come our local elections which we have in May, we might do well.”
Both Tom and Dylan told Sheffield Wire they see the Greens as the realistic opposition to Reform, and believe the party creates hope for the future.
Tom said: “Hannah Spencer is really down to earth. She came round and thanked every single person in the office who was helping out. We need more people like that in Parliament.”
The Green Party now have five MP’s, and have surpassed 200,000 members after the by-election victory.
Photo credit: Nathan Goldup-John