Sheffield’s Snowdrop Project donates Christmas bags for modern slavery and human trafficking survivors
Sheffield's Snowdrop Project has prepared more than 100 Christmas gift bags for human trafficking and modern slavery victims to help them celebrate the festive season.
The award winning charity were initially concerned the cost of living crisis would hinder their plans to help those most in need.
Katie Pendray, 30, Communications Manager for the charity, said: "We've been amazed this year because we've managed to get all 100 gift bags in only a couple of weeks.
"Sometimes these will be the only thing our clients receive that year because they're either alone or their families live in different countries, so it's often the highlight of their year."
The gift bags are filled with a variety of presents including chocolate, stationery, clothing accessories and bubble bath.
Despite reaching their goal, the charity has noticed a decrease in support this winter and staff have launched a new campaign asking people if they can donate just the cost of a hot drink or a meal for the survivors.
"This is a really tough time for the survivors we support in terms of how the cost of living crisis has hit them, but also for us as a charity. Some of our clients have just moved into council flats and are really scared to turn on their heating," said Ms Pendray.
"Some have mushrooms growing on their walls because of the damp and mould in their buildings."
The Snowdrop Project has had to make some very difficult decisions this year, but they remain committed to keeping their support services running as usual over the winter.
Ms Pendray said: "We really don't want to reduce our support because this is the time people need it more than ever."
Last year, the project supported 124 people in their recovery .Services include one-to-one casework support and community activities lsuch as pottery, English classes and toddler groups, creating a safe space for survivors.
One client, who turned to the charity for support, said: "When I'm out and about I feel fearful, but when I walk into the Snowdrop Project office, that fear is gone."
Visit the charity's website here to make a donation.
Sheffield University researchers work on AI project to combat disinformation
Sheffield University are working on a new project to develop artificial intelligence in a bid to tackle digital disinformation.
The multi-million pound scheme will use cutting edge tools to target the increasing spread of misleading information which finds its way into the public domain.
Dr Carolina Scarton, 35, a lecturer in Natural Language Processing at Sheffield University, said: "Digital disinformation is evolving and becoming easier to create, yet increasingly harder to detect and verify."
The project, Vera.ai, is bringing together experts from many different fields, including Computer Science, Social Sciences and Journalism.
"Our main aim is to create AI tools to support journalists and fact-checkers in identifying and debunking disinformation that appears in multiple platforms like social media, closed networks and even in the mainstream media," said Dr Scarton.
Technological developments mean the creation of deceiving material, like forged images, requires less expertise and is becoming increasingly difficult to spot.
The Vera.ai team aims to keep up with these developments and make sure the new tools are open, easy to use and accessible to the general public.
Prof Kalina Bontcheva, Head of the Natural Language (NLP) research group at the University and the Vera.ai scientific director, said: "With disinformation growing continuously in terms of its volume, spread and sophistication, new tools are urgently needed to help verification professionals with detection, analysis and exposure of disinformation campaigns in a timely and reliable manner."
Disinformation can appear in various forms, including audio, video, images, and text, and is defined as false or misleading information created to deceive the general public for economic gain.
Researchers from the University believe disinformation poses a serious threat to the functioning of open democracies, public discourse, the economy and social cohesion.
Dr Scarton explained disinformation around the Covid-19 vaccine caused a reduction in the rate of vaccinations, which was a severe public health risk.
She said: "Not only did it lead to a reduction in rates of the Covid vaccine, but also caused doubt about other vaccines."
Sophisticated disinformation campaigns around the war in Ukraine have also been used to spread false information to citizens.
Dr Scarton said: "The project has created many opportunities for us in terms of future long-term collaborations with researchers and key stakeholders in the field."
Vera.ai will also act as a continuation of the successful WeVerify project which led to the creation of a browser extension with over 70,000 monthly users.
Steelers seal dramatic penalty win against Panthers
Steelers fans had been warned of a frantic opening 10 minutes by Aaron Fox in last night's fixture against long standing rivals the Nottingham Panthers, and he wasn't wrong.
In the opening minutes of the game Notts' Duggie Lagrone who was knocked unconscious following an awkward collision with a Steelers player.
Thankfully though, he was seen talking with medical staff and gave a reassuring thumbs up to the applauding Steelers and Panthers fans.
Rivalry was put to one side as Steelers' Danny Kristo brought the stretcher to the then-unconscious Notts defender, who thankfully did not require hospital treatment, and, reassuringly, travelled home with his Panthers teammates.
Lagrone has only just returned from a head injury following a game against Manchester Storm so concern from the sidelines was justifiable.
Steelers head coach Aaron Fox admitted after the game that the incident dampened proceedings in the opening exchanges.
He said: "It absolutely did suck the life out of the first period. But we were outstanding. We only gave up two shots and suffocated them defensively."
The second period saw Steelers score two goals in quick succession. Danny Kristo, who spoke exclusively to Sheffield Wire before the match, was the first to put a puck in the back of the net before Piche doubled the lead for the Steelers.
Chances grew in number for Fox's players but derbies are never straight forward.
After Corey Nielson's appointment as new head coach for the Panthers, this fixture was never going to stick to script. So when Kelly Summers equalised with only five seconds of regulation time remaining, Notts fans may have been forgiven for thinking the same magic that Nielson wielded when he won 14 trophies for his team was at work in his first game back.
The stars appeared to be aligning as sudden death beckoned.
Both sides went close in a frenetic overtime and it was only penalties that could separate the two sides in the end. Brendan Connolly's sudden death penalty was enough to ruin Nielson's hope of a dream first game, much to the elation of the frenzied Steelers faithful.
Following the on rink celebrations, opening scorer Danny Kristo said afterwards it was a "good win for the team."
Fox praised a "huge and awesome crowd" of more than 7,600 fans at the Utilita Sheffield Arena, as his side now look to chase down Guildford Flames. With two games in hand on the league leaders, the dream of bringing silverware back to Sheffield is still on very much alive.
Ex-Sheffield United footballer is keeping his Dronfield hotel a World-Cup-free zone
A former professional footballer will not be showing any World Cup games in his hotel bar for fear of rowdy crowds ruining the atmosphere for his clientele.
Kevin Gage, who played for The Blades between 1991 and 1996, said the Manor House Hotel had not put up flags and will not be showing any games on TV.
In fact, he said: "If you want to come and escape the World Cup, you can come here."
Mr Gage said he wasn't really trying to draw in business by avoiding the World Cup but staying true to the style of business that his hotel has.
He said: "We don't want to ruin the business we have - having mass rowdy crowds doesn't fit in with being a boutique hotel."
Mr Gage acquired the 15th century Grade II listed building in 2009 along with his business partner Stephen Geary. They "renovated, re-designed and re-styled" the property after acquisition.
The Manor House Hotel is now billed as a boutique hotel with a café lounge and bar. It has a mix of single and double rooms as well as two suites.
It is located on the high street of Dronfield, in the old part of the town.
Asked if he thought it odd that an ex-professional footballer would do this, Mr Gage said a lot of the clientele weren't familiar with his past career that ended more than 20 years ago. He added he will be watching the World Cup games elsewhere.
Striking Sheffield nurse says NHS staff forced to sleep in cars and use food banks amid government pay dispute
A Sheffield nurse has said reports of colleagues barely affording to travel to work and eat has led her to support the upcoming Royal College of Nursing strikes in December.
The nurse, who asked to be kept anonymous, described challenging conditions for NHS staff, with some sleeping in cars to avoid the cost of travelling to and from work, using food banks in hospitals and many suffering from the effects of long Covid.
“It’s unacceptable to be in a situation where essential staff are struggling to make ends meet,” she added.
She said a lack of NHS funding, a failure to prioritise the staffing crisis and pay cuts amount to an erosion of worker’s rights, which prevent nurses from doing their jobs safely.
“The strikes absolutely are about pay, but they’re also about patient safety,” she said.
“Most of us went into the profession to care - we just want to be able to do our job safely.
“We need to prioritise looking after the staff so they can look after patients.”
The Royal College of Nursing announced today that two strikes will take place in December after the government rejected the union’s offer to negotiate on pay.
The strikes will last for 12 hours on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December 2022, and are set to take place across England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
According to the RCN, the strikes will follow the life-preserving care model, which will not affect emergency intervention and therapeutic services for the preservation of life and the prevention of permanent disability, and urgent diagnostic procedures.
The Sheffield nurse said the strikes have been a long time coming.
“We feel like it’s a last resort.
“The government have had plenty of warning from the unions and campaigns from staff about the emergency crisis in the NHS but it has been constantly ignored.
“We don’t make the decision to strike lightly, but if we don’t, things will just get worse.”
Darren Moore disappointed at Sheffield Wednesday fans booing the knee
Sheffield Wednesday's head coach has spoken of how large numbers of Wednesday fans had written to the club to express their disapproval of the actions of some supporters in the stadium.
Last Saturday at the Sheffield Wednesday Vs Shrewsbury Town game, the visiting players gathered at the centre circle before taking the knee, prompting loud audible booing at Hillsborough.
Darren Moore said: "Obviously it was disappointing to hear that at the time because what we have to remember is that the taking of the knee is a stance for everybody."
He added: "It’s an equality purpose driven message worldwide. It’s not something that was dreamt up by the Shrewsbury players."
However, the Owls boss recognised that there had been confusion surrounding the Shrewsbury players taking the knee.
He said: " I appreciate there was a bit of confusion about how it happened, the players lining up and what looked like a delayed taking of the knee. I can understand the confusion in that and how some of the fans may have seen it."
One Sheffield Wednesday fan who was quick to condemn the act of the booing also spoke of the confusion surrounding what was happening.
The fan said: "it looked like the Shrewsbury players had lined up to do a minute's silence, but we didn't hear any announcement what it was for. And then they lined up almost like they were going to do the Haka."
The Wednesday fan who sits on the Kop has spoken how the culture in the stands has changed for the better over the years.
They said: "It's been many, many years since I've heard anybody sort of jump to the feet and say anything racist.
"I would expect if anybody got on their feet and sort of shout racist abuse, they would get challenged."
On Twitter, Jon Gill slammed the behaviour of some Wednesday fans and said: "Booing the knee is racist and never justified."
Moore also spoke about the reputational damage the booing can cause.
He said: "We are a fantastic football club and we want to be remembered for the positive things we are. We don’t want to be remembered for a section of our fans booing taking the knee for five or six seconds."
He added: "Equality is for all, you and I. It’s right across the board; skin colour, nationality, religion, it’s for everybody."
Coffee shop offering free cuppas during day of action
A coffee shop on Division Street has announced a day of charity action, encouraging people to exchange unused or unopened hygiene products for a free coffee.
The scheme, taking place on December 6, is part of a three-year-partnership between 200 Degrees and the charity Switch-Up.
All donations will go to the charity which supports young people from deprived backgrounds and aims to break the offending and re-offending cycle.
It hopes to deter young people from a life of violence through mentoring, counselling, and sports sessions which will help transition some of the most vulnerable people to education and employment.
Siobhan Lloyd, marketing manager of the popular Sheffield coffee shop, said the idea was sparked by conversations about Period Poverty and the high prices of sanitary towels and tampons.
Ms Lloyd said: "People just can't afford basic hygiene.
"It's really important that businesses are supporting charities in this time. It's especially hard for charities at the moment and if businesses have the mechanisms to support people, everyone should be doing something like this. Charities are relying on help from business."
200 degrees has also launched its own brand of coffee which can be freshly ground in store or bought in pod-form. Profits from sales of the coffee will also go to Switch-Up.
Cosmetics retailer, Lush, has donated to the cause alongside some of the coffee chain's wholesale customers and Ms Lloyd hopes the scope of the initiative will grow in coming years.
She said: "People often come in a day or two before so we often find the impact of the campaign goes further than the one day."
Personal hygiene products can range from toilet roll, to shower gel, to a toothbrush and toothpaste and will make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged young people.
Doncaster mother sets up Christmas Appeal to get presents to struggling parents
A mother in Doncaster has set up an appeal for parents struggling to buy their children presents for Christmas.
Care home assistant KT Littleford has been using her own time, money and petrol to deliver gifts to parents struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Ms Littleford, 46, has always wanted to create an appeal like this and feels now is the perfect time.
She said: "This year more than ever with the cost of living families are just struggling so much more.
"I've been there myself in the past where you really can't afford presents and it is quite a big stress on parents."
More than 20 families have already received support, with hopes the final number will rise to over 30, and Her Just Giving Page has raised £155 of its £250 goal.
Ms Littleford said she could not have done it without the help of her friend, Nicci Bentley, and the kind donations from the community.
She says other parents in particular have responded well to the appeal with those who can afford to giving what they can.
Local business owner, Tracey Duncan, discovered the appeal from a friend's Facebook post. She has donated a number of handmade stockings.
Mrs Duncan, 49, was excited to help due to the local feel of the project. She said: "It's just one mum trying to help another mum and it's snowballed.
"You don't need to spend a lot of money to give someone a lovely gift."
To donate any cash or presents please message Kt Littleford on Facebook or visit the Just Giving Page.
Campaign launched to save iconic Abbeydale Picture House
One of Sheffield's most iconic and historic buildings may soon be renovated thanks to a fundraising appeal led by a local charity.
Over 100 years-old, Abbeydale Picture House was once a popular cinema, but the grand architecture has recently fallen into disrepair.
Head of communications at Creative Arts Development Space (CADS), Alex Deadman, said the main concern was damage to the barrel-vaulted ceiling which currently means it is unsafe for the public.
CADS is planning a series of events from the first of December including a pop-up bar, Christmas markets and comedy gigs to raise money for the repairs.
Mr Deadman is encouraging members of the community too come forward with ideas for the space.
He said: "It might be that you just have a bit of time on your hands and want to join in with a space that is going to do a lot for the community, meet some new people and just get out there and get some experience.
"We are completely open for suggestions from the community and for anybody who wants to get involved."
To contact the organisers and for information about the upcoming events visit CADS website.
Litter-pickers take matters into their own hands over Gleadless Valley fly-tipping hotspot
The Gleadless Valley area in Sheffield continues to be a hotspot for fly-tipping with tyre dumping troubling the rural South Sheffield area.
Alongside the tyres, many residents have spotted large amounts of cannabis and various bits of trade waste on the streets.
Iren Wadsworth, a keen local litter-picker, regularly volunteers throughout the week in an attempt to keep areas around Gaunt Road tidy.
She said: "I've been litter-picking with my gang today. We do this bit of Sheffield quite regularly and have been doing this for the last five years. It's one of the main fly-tipping streets in Sheffield."
Their litter-picking efforts aren't just reserved to Gleadless Valley alone. Ms Wadsworth and the other volunteers have been out to other locations such as Leighton Road in an attempt to clear rubbish.
With Sheffield's reputation as a 'green city' drawing visitors in, she is disheartened by the constant litter she sees.
But she is still proud of the small contribution she makes when going out and tidying up the various green areas in and around Gleadless Valley.
Ms Wadsworth said: "We've made a massive difference. I moved up here in 2017 and all the ancient woodlands near Gleadless Valley were beautiful but heavily fly-tipped.
"The shame was that many people wouldn't go to the woods as it wasn't a pleasant experience and surrounded by fly-tipping. I thought, that's a shame, so my aim became to clear the woods."
Alexi Dimond, a Green Party councillor for Gleadless Valley, said: "Unfortunately, there is a problem in the area with periodic illegal fly tipping of tyres, likely from a business. Businesses should dispose of their waste properly as this is unfair on local residents and bad for the environment.
"Anyone fly tipping risks prosecution and a fine. If anyone witnesses fly tipping, they should report to the police and council if safe to do so. Any fly tipped waste should also be reported to the Council so this can be removed."
Steelers prepared for Panthers ‘Desperate Hockey’
The Sheffield Steelers are expecting a tough game against long running rivals Nottingham Panthers tonight.
Having relieved their Gary Graham of his duties following what many would view as a poor run of form, there is an expectation the Panthers are set to bounce back under their new head coach.
Corey Neilson, won 14 trophies in his first stint at Nottingham and his appointment, this week, has added an extra edge to an already nail-biting contest.
Steelers head coach, Aaron Fox, told Sheffield Wire he is expecting a reaction from the Nottingham side.
He said: "They'll come out and play very desperate hockey tonight. Its almost like a clean slate for a bunch of guys who were in the doghouse with Gary Graham.
"Now they have a first impression to prove what they can bring to that team, so I think we'll probably see the best of what Nottingham's got right now."
Despite the occasion, the Steelers are solely focused on continuing their impressive season so far and aren't being distracted by talks of rivalry and a potential Panther's resurgence.
"For us its just about coming out ready to play the right way. I think our structure and our group will prevail," Fox said.
"The longer that game goes on I think we will wear the Panthers down. We just have to know that they are going to come hard at us."
In their final practice session on Friday, the mood in the camp was bouyant and recent recruit Danny Kristo thinks this is largely down to the atmosphere the team creates.
He said: "Its a very family-based culture in the dressing room. Everyone is in it with the same purpose and I think that goes a long way to our success as a team."
With the Steelers sitting 2nd in the League, a victory tonight on their home ice at the Utilita Arena is vital in their pursuit of silverware this season.
Sheffield shoppers underwhelmed by Black Friday sales
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to overshadow the UK, sales are expected to drop by at least 20% this year with people spending an average of £85 less than last year.
Recent economic uncertainties caused by increasing energy costs, inflation and post Covid-19 lockdown have left consumers with less disposable income.
One Sheffield shopper told Sheffield Wire: “Since the cost-of-living crisis, I don’t think I’ve bought anything new as the only thing I like buying is clothes, and I buy them from second hand shops."
Across the city, businesses are struggling to survive under the increased economic pressure with a total of 43 stores being closed and empty in Sheffield city centre since June 2021.
One outlet, Edward’s Greengrocers, who have been providing customers with their fruit and veg for over 40 years have been left with no choice but to shut its doors for the final time.
Despite the reductions that were on offer for Black Friday, shoppers in Sheffield weren't willing to participate in the discounted deals, with consumers claiming they saw “no real difference”, stating “it’s totally fake” or “it’s a con”.
From January to October, 2022 inflation has risen by a staggering 11.1% but, over the last decade, disposable income has only increased by 10.9%.
As the cost-of-living-crisis continues to make non-essential items a luxury, a report has revealed it is expected that on average shoppers will be spending £85 less per person.
The head of Barclaycard Payments, Marc Pettican, was more optimistic. He said: “Our data shows that Black Friday is off to a steady start this year despite the challenging economic backdrop.”