Parents gather in Sheffield to celebrate Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day but more needs to be done to receive support
Bright coloured picnic blankets adorn the grass, frisbees are thrown back and forth, while infectious laughter echoes around Forge Dam Park, as families from the Sheffield Down’s Syndrome Support Group gather to celebrate their children’s achievements.
It’s evident there is much to embrace, but the parents who came together as part of Down Syndrome Awareness Day believe more needs to be done for their children to feel part of everyday life, so they can enjoy the simple pleasures their peers take for granted.
Bess, 39, a stay-at-home mum, looks on at her nine-year-old son, Amos, with pride but feels for years she has battled against medics telling her all the things her son could not achieve.
Amos goes to a mainstream school and attends Beavers. He is also exceptionally good at bowling, and recently came second place in a competition.
“Amos is empathetic, but his communication, and the way he makes someone smile are not reported in the education system,” says Bess, from Sheffield.
“It would be nice for us as a family if the educational achievements are not only academic but also holistic, and include all those bits that you can’t achieve through tests.”
Although Amos has found groups he can attend, this has been a struggle for his parents, who have faced barriers in helping their son feel included.
“The main challenges now are finding places where Amos can belong, where people aren’t afraid of him having Down's syndrome,” says Bess. “He has delayed development so is not your typical nine-year-old. We had to fight hard to get Amos the support that he needed, I think the education system is a bit behind on supporting children like Amos.”
Bess knows what Amos learns educationally on a weekly basis is below the national average for an average child of his age, but she believes that no matter what her son succeeds in should be celebrated and acknowledged. Bess feels strongly the education system and mainstream schools need more training to celebrate these milestones.
Another mum, Tracy Tonks, who attended the get together explained one problem many expectant parents of children with Down’s Syndrome face, is the fact they are constantly told what their unborn babies won’t be able to accomplish.
When Tracy, 49, who is originally from Sheffield, was told her daughter, Esme, would have Down’s Syndrome she “grieved through the entire pregnancy” after medical professionals provided a long list of things that her child could not achieve.
“Nobody actually said to me that I was just going to have a baby,” she says. “I am ashamed of how I grieved now,” she says. “The information that I was getting was all wrong. They kept telling me she wouldn't be able to do anything, but she is living her best life now.”
Tracy, who now lives in Nottinghamshire, has found it a struggle to find the same amount of support that she received in South Yorkshire. Esme needs occupational therapy, however, she does not “tick enough boxes” to receive it in her current hometown, but was offered to her when she lived in Sheffield. Tracy believes the number of children with Down’s Syndrome needing support exceeds the amount of funding received by the health and education sectors.
“It feels like I have to beg to get help, which is scary,” she says. “Everything just seems to be a fight.”
Tracy explained, although Esme’s mainstream school has a lot of children with special needs, her daughter doesn’t get the extra help she needs with reading and writing.
The mum says it’s the Sheffield Down’s Syndrome Support Group which has been a lifeline. She joined when she was pregnant, went to a picnic two months before her daughter was due, and has been a part of it ever since.
“This support group saved me,” she says. “It has changed my entire perspective.”
Saurabh Sinha, 55, is a former neurosurgeon from Sheffield, and dad to Rory, 18, who also has Down's Syndrome. He believes it is important to train medical professionals on how to communicate to children with learning disabilities.
He said it is crucial to be positive when delivering the news of a Down’s Syndrome diagnosis to parents. He explained beginning a journey of parenthood with all the negative aspects can scare parents and these children are just as capable of achieving all the things that a perfectly healthy child can
“Often even before the child is born or diagnosed with Down’s parents are told horrific stories about what their child can and can’t do,” Saurabh says. “Telling the parents about medical complications is important for their health, but you can never tell them what their child can and can’t achieve.”
Rory had cardiac surgery as a child but has gone on to achieve several gold medals in basketball, plays tennis, and trampolining.
Saurabh believes being a parent to a child with Down's has made him a better doctor, and because Rory was sick when he was younger, he could communicate and relate to other parents and help them through their journeys.
Like Tracy, he believes more could be done to help their children. “Special needs education is not the best in Sheffield,” he says. “Inputs from social care are not great in the city, and have been inadequate on several occasions with minimal accessibility.”
Tara Elsmore, 37, is a diabetes specialist nurse and mum to four-year-old Grace, who also has Down’s Syndrome. Grace was born during the Covid pandemic in 2020.
She started learning Makaton, a form of sign language, while she was pregnant and was told her daughter would be born with Down’s Syndrome. She is now able to communicate with her daughter, who suffers with hearing difficulties and does not quite like wearing a hearing band.
Stanley, a cheerful 15-year-old teenager, was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome when he was born. He goes to a special school where he receives speech therapy, and enjoys sports, as well as cooking
According to his mum, Sarah Hooker, 54, her son is very social and enjoys being with his family and friends. He loves learning about the history of King Henry, and “being on the telly”.
Sarah is the fundraising manager of Sheffield Down’s Syndrome group. She explains securing support for her son, since he started secondary school at age 11, has been increasingly difficult due to a lack of funding for the educational system. But the support group has helped her meet other parents and create speech therapy groups for their children.
“Stanley is just like every other teenager,” Sarah says. “He has opportunities to be independent and understand that he can have a separate life than us.”
Common misconceptions about Down’s Syndrome:
“People often think that children with down’s are not very bright,” says Tara Elsmore. “They think that children can’t understand them, which is wrong, they are perfectly capable of communicating back. Grace is very clever.”
Bess, Amos’ mum, expands: “Each child with Down’s Syndrome has 47 chromosomes, and 46 of those are half mum and half dad, they are more like their parents than they are someone else with Down’s Syndrome.
“Sometimes we put kids with additional needs in a box, and think they can’t do normal things, but you just need to find that one thing that they are super good at, and let them try.”
Sheffield Children’s University launches SEND inclusive song
A new song created by a children's charity in partnership with a local college has been translated into Makaton sign language.
Sheffield Children’s University worked with staff at The Sheffield College to produce the new song ‘Anything I Want To Be’.
To enable children with SEND to participate in the song, a member of staff from the NEXUS academy trust group of schools translated the words of the song into Makaton sign language which features in the video for the song.
Makaton is an alternative communication system which uses signs and symbols alongside speech and written words to support communication.
Katie Hamshaw, senior project coordinator for Sheffield Children's University referred to the song's release as “a dream come true”.
She said: "Working with the incredibly talented team at The Sheffield College to bring it to life has been such a joy, and the addition of Makaton - thanks to Nexus Multi Academy Trust - means our message of limitless learning can reach even more children and young people.”
Councillor Dawn Dale, chair of education, children and families policy committee, said that the song “captures the spirit of Sheffield Children’s University and encourages children to follow their dreams.
She added: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the staff involved in creating this song - especially for thoughtfully incorporating Makaton sign language into the chorus, ensuring it's accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
The official launch of ‘Anything I Want To Be’ took place at the Sheffield Children's University Gold Awards Ceremony on 18 March at Sheffield Hallam University involving a live performance encouraging the audience to join in with the Makaton chorus.
Ash Muscroft, music programme coordinator and tutor at The Sheffield College helped to develop the song alongside industry colleague, Andrew Frost.
Mr Muscroft said: “I feel honoured to have co-written and performed it at such an exciting awards ceremony. It was also great to showcase our brand new state-of-the-art equipment.”
The song aims to inspire young people and have high aspirations in whatever career path they choose.
Mrs Hamshaw said: "I really hope it becomes a lasting reminder for all our families that learning goes beyond the classroom.”
The song will be officially released by The Sheffield College on major streaming platforms in Spring 2025 and shared across the Children's University network.
University of Sheffield students vote to support staff strike action following referendum
A campaign group is looking to form a strike committee of students following a referendum which revealed a majority vote in students supporting staff industrial action.
The Anti-Cuts Coalition is made up of staff and students at the University of Sheffield who oppose the cuts being made to staff and resources.
Charlie Thomas, a member of the coalition, said: “The referendum result is a clear indication that students reject the cuts."
He added: “The cuts will make life at the university worse and more stressful for everyone who studies here.”
Ben Golding, a foundation year student, chose Sheffield because he wanted to study Physics with Philosophy. He was informed that the course would be cut after the UCAS deadline.
He said: “It’s frustrating not only to have my chosen course pulled, but with no time to do anything about it.”
The referendum was held 17-20 March by Sheffield SU alongside the student elections in response to a university management scheme pursuing cuts to modules, courses, staff and resources.
Over 400 jobs could be lost through voluntary or compulsory redundancies, as the university aims to cut £23m in staffing costs over this and the next academic year.
Mr Thomas said: “The first immediate impact of the referendum will be the UCU ballot.”
The Sheffield University College Union (UCU) Ballot for industrial action is open until 31 March.
Robyn Ortifelli, Sheffield UCU President, said: “Staff and students are the heart of this institution and now is the most important moment for us to stand together and demand better.”
Results of the referendum were publicised to reveal that 2217 students voted ‘yes’ to the SU supporting university staff taking industrial action, while 455 voted no and 168 abstained.
In addition, 2230 students voted ‘yes’ to the SU expressing ‘no confidence’ in the University Executive Board, while 277 voted no and 195 abstained.
In the run-up to the referendum, Anti-Cuts Coalition Sheffield held a protest at a university open day on Saturday 8 March.
The university has said that it is taking a number of considered actions in response to the challenges facing the higher education sector and regularly reviews the courses on offer to ensure they meet the needs of students, employers and wider society, and often make changes to reflect this. A small number of programmes have five or fewer students, and are consequently being reviewed.
It has also stated its responsibility as a University to deliver a consistent, high quality student experience, and to offer courses that meet market demands.
A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: "At the University of Sheffield, we are taking a proactive and strategic approach to the current challenges facing UK universities so that we can continue to deliver the excellent education and student experience for which Sheffield is renowned.
“We continue to navigate these challenges responsibly and transparently. We deeply value student voice and continue to engage with our Students' Union and students on these and other important matters."
The Anti-Cuts Coalition is holding a meeting on supporting staff strikes and fighting university cuts on 1 April.
Sheffield’s F4 driver unveils new car with Made in Sheffield
A teenage rising star of motorsport has revealed his new car for the upcoming F4 season with support from Made in Sheffield.
Rowan Campbell-Pilling, 18, celebrated the occasion last week outside the town hall with both the Lord Mayor Jayne Dunn and The Master Cutler Phil Rodrigo.
Made in Sheffield's support means that Mr Campbell-Pilling can showcase the prestigious mark on his race-car, helmet, and suit for his upcoming Formula 4 season.
Made in Sheffield launched in 2005 and is the result of a partnership between the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, The Company of Cutlers, and Sheffield City Council.
Traditionally, it gives manufacturing companies the opportunity to display the mark and showcase their heritage, and is described as "a symbol of the City region's ongoing commitment to quality and excellence". However, in recent years, the Mark is shown by companies in sectors that go beyond traditional manufacturing, being bestowed in other areas such as theatre.
Charles Turner, chairman of Made in Sheffield, said: "We are delighted to support Rowan and, through him, raise awareness of both this City's sporting legacy but also the manufacturing industries of this region.
"Made in Sheffield is about quality products, and these require skill to manufacture, so supporting young talent from the region is incredibly important to us. Rowan shows that success in motorsport, like engineering, needs hard work and passion so we are proud to celebrate with him."
Speaking about being able to show and wear the mark, Mr Campbell-Pilling said: "I'm honoured to be able to place the Made in Sheffield Mark on my car, helmet and race suit for our upcoming season. To be able to represent the Steel City on this level means so much to me."
He began karting at an early age, having success in the Daniel Riccardo Series (DRS), and being crowned its youngest-ever champion at 14 years old in 2021.
In 2024, he saw great success in his debut F4 season, finishing in a podium position in 21 of his 30 races.
His second season begins in April, where he will be driving for the JHR Developments team, which is located less than 10 miles from Sheffield in Dronfield.
Mr Campbell-Pilling said: "Throughout my journey, in karting and now in F4, as I pursue my dream of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport racing, I have always been proud of my Sheffield roots.
"As I continue to represent Sheffield and South Yorkshire in motorsport, I'm so grateful for the lasting support of all the team, our family, our friends, my wonderful fans and now Made in Sheffield too. It's been brilliant to see everyone enjoying the journey we're on.
"I'm really keen to build on this momentum and become a role model for the younger generation in our region - I'm constantly looking for ways to open more doors for youngsters in motorsport."
Youth community centre transformed with “once in a generation funding”
A new £1m youth community centre has replaced a former GP surgery in North Sheffield, following a sustainable renovation project.
Fourth Wall Building Consultancy has unveiled the fully renovated GP's surgery in Southey Green that had sustainability as the driving force behind the project.
Josh Weston, 31, co-founder and lead director of the Sheffield-based building company, said: “It’s a multipurpose facility and it’s all about flexibility because this is a once in a generation package of funding, and we were incredibly fortunate to get that from the Youth Improvement Fund.
“It made sure that it was useable now and usable in the future, where rooms can always be repurposed.”
The Youth Improvement Fund is a government-supported initiative that provides financial support to revitalise youth facilities across the UK.
The new centre acts as a foodbank, provides counselling and career services, has IT suites and includes a sports hall to overcome the most significant gaps in the area’s community resources.
Fourth Wall and Chilypep, the Parson Cross youth charity, worked with young people from Southey Green to gather feedback and incorporate their ideas.
The two organisations worked closely since 2023, securing £1m bid to complete their sustainably-driven project.
Instead of demolishing the former GP surgery, Fourth Wall chose to renovate the interior and build an extension, resulting in a 60% reduction in carbon emissions.
Mr Weston said: “The government are starting the recognise we are demolishing a lot of structures which have had a lot of carbon used to build them in the first place.”
The construction crew also installed an air-source heat pump instead of a traditional gas boiler, and added solar panels to reduce the centre’s carbon footprint.
Lesley Pollard, CEO of Chilypep, said: “The new youth and community centre has been a long-held goal, and we’d like to express deep thanks to Fourth Wall for their dedication and collaboration with this project.
“We are also really proud to have had the young people and the wider community we serve at the heart of this, inputting into the design and ensuring that the centre meets their needs.”
Chilypep initiatives are supported by their patron, the Rt Hon Lord David Blunkett, who was born and raised in Parson Cross, Sheffield.
Rt Hon Lord Blunkett served as education and employment secretary, home secretary and work and pension’s secretary in Tony Blair’s cabinet.
Fourth Wall was founded in 2020 and is committed to sustainable development in all of its projects.
The building company has received the Highly Commended Sustainable Development award at the Inside Media Yorkshire Property Industry Awards.
“Council housing has been underinvested in for decades” – Councillor calls for more government support
Over a hundred new council homes will be built in addition to the 1000 promised by 2029 after a £12m boost was given to Sheffield City Council from Homes England.
Sheffield councillor and Chair of the Housing & Homelessness Committee, Douglas Johnson said: “[social housing] is at a critical point where the government needs to act to make sure that council stock is still viable.
“The difference this money makes is it means that we can keep the rents at a traditional council rent level.”
The council have promised 112 new homes after the waitlist for council housing in Sheffield currently stands at 25,000.
The recent budget boosts like these “just makes a small inroad” into addressing the demand for housing at an accessible price.
The Future of Council Housing Summit which took place on 6 March in Sheffield brought together over 100 council leaders nationally to address what Cllr Douglas Johnson called “very reasonable, modest demands to the government”.
Over recent years social housing has been affected nationally, with tightened budgets and shifting policies.
Labour declared that they would build 1.5 million homes within five years, and Sheffield City Council has pledged to deliver 40,000 new homes by 2039.
Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, and the summit organiser, said: “Cuts to our income and soaring costs have undermined our agreement with government and left a huge gap in our housing budgets. However, councils will play a critical role in reaching the government’s ambition for 1.5 million new homes."
The party are currently pushing a bill through parliament which would give councils greater power to acquire land, in hopes of speeding up building.
Cllr Douglas Johnson said: “That in itself probably won’t make that much difference, that’s not the big rocker.
“It’s okay providing the power to acquire new land and building housing but it’s no use at all if the government doesn’t provide the right amount money.”
The Chair of the Housing and Homelessness committee see the stable future of social housing stands in the “revitalising” of estates that were once council housing.
Empty council homes stood at over 1000 in 2023 and a re-focus on these empty properties and investment into repairs has seen the number fall to about 400.
Ultimately, Cllr Douglas Johnson is only one in over 100 key leaders nationally, that believes the way forward is to urge the government “to really focus on housing that has been neglected for so long”.
New council strategy aims to eliminate hotel accommodation for Sheffield’s homeless
Some of Sheffield’s most vulnerable people could be moved into new temporary housing, according to a new Council strategy.
Sheffield City Council has announced a new Temporary Accommodation strategy, which aims to end the use of Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs), Hotels and Nightly Paid Accommodation as temporary accommodation.
The strategy also prioritises a rebalancing of the draft allocations policy (which is currently under consultation), to increase the priority on letting properties to those living in temporary accommodation.
Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, said: “The Council has statutory duties to provide emergency accommodation for people who are homeless and without accommodation.
“A general increase in housing availability is an immediate step we can take over the next few months to alleviate this really pressing crisis.”
As of December 31 2024, there were 305 adults and 140 children placed in B&Bs, something which is paid for by the Council.
Cllr Johnson added that emergency accommodation like B&Bs was used by the Council after it exhausted its available housing stock.
The Council currently uses 442 dispersed council properties for temporary accommodation, but the new strategy highlights the need for approximately 200 more, including 70 for families and 130 for single occupants.
The recent announcement of a £12 million pound grant from Homes England to the council, will provide 112 council homes at social rent, as part of council plans to deliver 1,000 by 2029.
Cllr Johnson said: “We have far too many homeless people who are being accommodated in B&Bs.
“You’ve got to remember if you’re homeless, being in a B&B really isn’t a good thing for you at all.”
Homeless families in B&Bs have a maximum placement limit of 42 days, however the shortage of alternate temporary accommodation has caused many families to stay beyond this limit.
The total cost of B&B use to the Council has increased drastically, going from just £190,000 in 2018/19 to around £4.8m in 2023/24, with it being projected to rise to £6.6m in 2024/25 (Sheffield Council).
Cllr Johnson said: “This overspend is a massive pressure so it affects all services.
“It impacts Council budgets and takes money away from other vital services such as children’s care and social services.
“It’s much more cost effective and far better for residents to be in self contained flats and houses, and that is what we want to move more towards.”
This new approach is estimated to reduce pressure on the Council General fund by approximately £2.9 million for families and £2.2 million for single households by March 2027.
Labour benefit cuts a “big worry” for election campaign
Fears that Labour’s cuts to the disability benefits affecting 60,000 people in Doncaster could lose them votes in the upcoming local elections have arisen ahead of Nigel Farage’s planned visit tomorrow.
Cuts to Personal Independence Payments, which support those with disabilities in their daily living and mobility costs, were announced by the government last week.
Liz Kendall, announcing the welfare reform, said the cuts could save £5b and motivate people to get back to work.
Minesh Parekh, Councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, is one of the Labour members fighting against the cuts.
Cllr Parekh said: “Many of my friends and family are telling me that this isn't what they voted for when they voted for Labour. And that's something that cuts quite deep to me.
"I worry these welfare cuts and other policies that have been considered or enacted might lose us electoral support. That is a big worry for me. But the bigger worry is the moral and social impact on disabled people's lives and people who depend on welfare support.”
James Woods, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Doncaster, a charity which provides support and advice, said the plans undermine the 2010 Equality Act because they disproportionately impact those with mental health conditions, conditions which fluctuate, and non-visible disabilities.
Mr Woods said: "The danger with it is that people could be pressured into work when they are not well enough to sustain it."
Already receiving over 800 calls a week, Mr Woods added that the cuts will have a knock-on effect on the already "astronomically high" demand for Citizens Advice Doncaster and local food banks and homelessness charities.
Labour members against benefit cuts united in Sheffield City Centre last Friday in a bid to fight the changes. They urge supporters to submit motions to their branch and Constituency Labour Party and write to their MP to ask them to vote against any cuts to welfare.
The news of a potential loss of support for Labour comes after The Telegraph predicted Reform UK will topple Energy Secretary and Doncaster MP Ed Milliband in the upcoming May local election.
Nigel Farage will visit Doncaster tomorrow to unveil his mayoral candidate in a rally at the racecourse. Reform UK candidate for Woodhouse, Andrew Hizzard, said people are turning to the far-right in Doncaster because they want change and are unhappy with how our country is being run.
He said: “The party is growing at an unbelievable pace and I think we are doing remarkably well”.
Reform UK’s manifesto pledges an equally significant change to welfare. They insist on face to face assessment for disability benefits and warn that “all job seekers and those fit to work must find employment within 4 months or accept a job after 2 offers. Otherwise, benefits are withdrawn.”
Cllr Parekh said: “I think Reform is a very cynical political enterprise. It's run by a former banker and it's run by its millionaire lobbyists. I'm sure they'll say whatever they want to push people into believing they'll receive help when they won't.”
“I want us to be loud and proud in our support of working class people. And I think in the absence of that, people might lose hope and people might turn to these false idols. But Reform is an abhorrent, racist party and I hope people don't turn to them.”
Hizzard added that claims Reform UK is a racist party are “absolute rubbish”.
“I felt like I’d done something wrong”: Sheffield women share their PIP assessment experiences
A Sheffield woman who is battling a debilitating condition which leaves her struggling to walk and in constant pain has said securing financial security through the government targeted PIP process was one of the hardest battles of her life.
It took Rachel Wood, who has stage 4 endometriosis, 18 months and a court appeal to be granted Personal Independence Payments.
She now fears other people, in her position, won’t be given the financial aid they desperately need.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone” she says, “my hope for future generations of girls is more support, so that they don’t suffer like I have.”
The Department of Work and Pensions’ announcement last week outlined a proposal of £5 billion cuts, which will make PIP even harder for many to access.
Green Party Councillor for Broomhill and Sharrow Vale, Angela Argenzio, has called the cuts “ethically and morally unjust for the people affected”, and suggested the government are "cowardly."
Personal Independence Payments have historically provided financial aid to people with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and are intended to help cover the additional costs of being disabled.
Rachel, 41, from Sheffield, understands more than most how endometriosis, a condition where cells including the womb lining grow elsewhere in the body, causing pain, inflammation and scar tissue, can leave a sufferer unable to do the most simple of tasks.
“It impacts everything,” she says. “Even, like going to the toilet. I can’t walk very far at all, and it affects you mentally a hell of a lot. I would have pain three out of the four weeks [of the month]. My first marriage even broke down, as he just didn’t understand the condition.
“It can be atrocious trying to go to work. Sometimes it all just gets on top of you, and if it’s a really bad day work just kills me.”
Endometriosis is a fluctuating condition, and has resulted in eight surgeries for Ms Wood, including the removal of part of her ureter and bowel, a bowel resection, and a hysterectomy.
Rachel first applied for PIP at the end of 2023, but despite her daily challenges, and 192 pages of medical evidence, she was initially awarded 0 points in her PIP assessment.
“I had the evidence, including a letter from my consultant that I walk with a stick, and that it affects me daily, but it still wasn’t enough,” she says.
A combination of the condition and Prostap - a monthly injection used for endometriosis management that induces a state of menopause - resulted in Rachel having trouble using the bathroom, mobility issues, and the need for more medications, such as antidepressants, HRT and blood pressure tablets.
As a result of her symptoms, Rachel, who uses a mobility aid, has struggled with managing the condition alongside work.
PIP is awarded to claimants on a point-based-system assessing two main components - a daily living part - if you need help with everyday tasks - and a mobility part - if you need help with getting around.
To access the standard rate, someone must receive eight to 11 points for daily living needs, and more than 12 points for daily living or mobility for the enhanced rate.
Rachel appealed the initial decision and went to court to fight her case. “The judge was lovely,” she says. “I was awarded nine points straight away. They took me seriously.” A complete contrast to how Rachel had been initially treated.
But she believes if she wasn’t having a bad day when she went to Court, she might not have been believed.
“It was a bad day when I went in, which was a good thing. I can see it being different going on a ‘good day’, as we call it, or as normal as we can get.”
Receiving PIP has allowed Rachel to lower her hours at work, and better manage her conditions.
“It’s been a fight to get PIP, and it shouldn’t have to be,” she says. “When you’re that poorly, to have to go to court is just awful. I felt like I’d done something wrong.”
Ailish McMillan, 31, received zero points in her PIP assessment, despite suffering from severe depression and endometriosis, and claimed the application process was dehumanising.
The fluctuation of her debilitating symptoms mean that she can go from working her busy hospitality job one week, to being unable to get out of bed the next.
At her worst, she shared that there were only three days of the month that she could function without thinking about it. “How can a person feel that much pain, and still be alive?” She says. “It’s horrendous”.
But despite her health conditions, Ailish was told she was not eligible for PIP, causing her to feel as though the people assessing her application thought she was lying.
“The process of the application is scary and quite harrowing,” says Ailish, from Sheffield. “It was almost like I wasn’t believed. I would crawl to the bathroom seven days a month, you don’t just snap out of that. It’s depressing, really.”
Although Ailish was shocked to see her score, she was not surprised, and is worried about what it means for other people in a similar position.
“To take away the only help targeted at disabled people boggles the mind,” she says. “It’s still sinking in. It just leaves us all out in the cold, and what are we supposed to do?”
Personal Finance Expert Fiona Peake said that PIP is a ‘vital lifeline’ for millions of disabled people across the UK, and that, for many, it’s the difference between keeping the heating on, affording accessible transport, and being able to access the essentials.
Despite misconceptions, PIP is not an out of work benefit. The extra support allows people to order grocery deliveries, make their living space more accessible, purchase mobility aids and medication, and use taxis services, which would otherwise be unaffordable.
Changes to the PIP assessment outlined in the Green Paper propose the payments should be “focussed more on those with higher needs”, and only those who score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP.
This creates challenges for many currently eligible for or receiving PIP, that make up their points across different components of the assessment.
“Many people find that assessors just don’t fully understand their conditions, or how fluctuating conditions impact daily life,” says Peake.
“This leads to unfair decisions, forcing people into often lengthy appeals”.
Peake outlined these cuts will impact not only claimants, but also have a knock-on effect on their families, placing more pressure on them for financial and practical support.
“Not everyone has family who can step in,” she says. “And for those who don’t, the impact could be devastating.”
Peake argued if the Government wants to support people into work, simply cutting PIP and other welfare support isn’t the answer.
“They should be looking at ways to make employment more accessible, offering better workplace adjustments, tackling discrimination, and providing better support financially,” she says.
“Without this, [disabled people] could be left choosing between their health and trying to hold down a job that doesn’t accommodate their needs. That’s not fair, and it's not realistic.”
“Cowardly”: Sheffield Green councillor slams government disability benefit cuts
The government’s disability benefit cuts will lead to increased poverty and worse mental health for Sheffield residents, a councillor has warned.
Last week, Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, confirmed the government would be tightening criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and reducing incapacity benefits for new claimants from 2026.
Speaking in the House of Commons she said that the changes aimed to save £5bn a year from the welfare budget by 2030.
However Broomhill and Sharrow Vale councillor Angela Argenzio called the cuts “ethically and morally unjust for the people affected”.
She said: “There are choices that the government could take, but they are choosing to target the most vulnerable people. It’s cowardly really.”
Cllr Argenzio has herself worked in the voluntary sector for seven years, including five years as finance manager of Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind. She is also currently chair of the city’s Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee.
She said: “It worries me that this will put pressure on local services because people will have to rely more on foodbanks, they will get more ill because they will be more stressed, so as well as typical problems they may have more problems with mental health.
“We’re working so hard in this city to try to make it better for everybody, then something like this happens which will put huge pressure on our residents.”
According to 2021 census data, 20% of people in Sheffield identified themselves as disabled, with 28% of households having one disabled person living in them.
One of these residents is Liz Kieran, a mum of three who suffered a stroke when she was just 27.
Now aged 40, Mrs Kieran struggles with mobility and chronic pain. She said that the cuts would be “catastrophic” for people like her in the city who rely on PIP and universal credit to pay for the daily costs of living with a disability.
Mrs Kieran also volunteers for Disability Sheffield and sees first-hand how people are already struggling.
She said: “A lot of the time you do find it’s disabled people that are ending up having to go to food pantries, because of universal credit, because they’ve been turned down for PIP, or because they’re not getting the help in the community.”
Cllr Argenzio said that the link between poverty and disability was being overlooked by the government’s planned reforms.
She said: “For me, we need to tear down the systemic barriers that make people unwell and reliant on welfare.
“The welfare system is so important because it's a safety net for all of us. All of us, one day, may need some kind of support.”
During her speech on 18 March, Kendall also announced a £1bn package to support disabled people back into work.
She said: “This will mean fairness for disabled people and those with long term health conditions, but also for the taxpayers who fund it as these measures bring down the benefits bill.
“At the same time, we will ensure that our welfare system protects people. There will always be some people who cannot work because of their disability or health condition. Protecting people in need is a principle we will never compromise on.”
Makers’ Market 2025: Sheffield’s independent artisans reflect on ‘demoralising’ reality of the market
Local sellers at Sheffield's first ever Makers' Market said they "can't compete" with established companies such as Amazon and IKEA.
All Good Stuff (AGS), a non-profit that promotes Sheffield's local artists, designers, and artisans, hosted its inaugural Makers' Market last Saturday.
Dawn Ireland, a textile artist with nearly 30 years of experience, said as an independent artist “you can't really compete” against the likes of Amazon and Ikea.
In 1994, she set up her own business as an independent artist and now sells embroidery, vintage fabrics, stamps, and postcards.
Her experiences while exhibiting her products have varied, and she said it is key that an event is “well advertised”.
Ms Ireland found Saturday's Makers' Market “a little bit slow” due to technical difficulties, and also felt unsure whether a lot of people would be arriving at the event when “there's a lot happening in the city this weekend”.
She believes that local artisans have to rely on different factors for things to work out, including people realising that the products are handmade, and that the “right people come to visit” during exhibitions.
Rosie Butcher, who creates a variety of handcrafted cards, was one of the exhibitors.
She said: “When you do something, and then you go to a high street place, and you see [a product] for less, it's a bit demoralising."
Ms Butcher said the idea of making “something very personalised that means a lot” to a customer is what motivates her to keep going.
Stella Eden, another artisan, specialises in soy wax candles, and started her business ‘Getting on Me Wick’ during the COVID-19 lockdown. She researched ways to calm anxiety and began experimenting with essential oils before deciding to make her own candles that may help a person feel calmer when they are dealing with anxiety.
She said: “We make things by hand, which takes longer, and [because of] our costs and everything, I can't compete with the mass production.”
Looking at the positives, the artists shared that while it is difficult to compete against largely manufactured goods and their price points, there is still an audience that exists for handcrafted products.
Ms Ireland said: “I think it's just finding the right audience for the work. Events like this are good because people can meet the maker and find out a little bit more about how the work is made.
"When people meet artists and makers, I think that helps.”
Ms Eden’s experience at exhibitions has largely been positive, as she highlighted the support of a great community. She also talked about the downside of the reality, where she feels that “we live in a society where it's more focused on Amazon, and really fast, mass produced items”.
She said that she still has “a lot of customers who want something that's handmade, and they will pay for more of a quality item”.
Speaking about the support in Sheffield for local artisans, Ms Eden said people are very supportive in the city, and “it's a wonderful place to make things”.
She shared an instance that reinforced her motivation to continue with her business. One day a woman walked into the store as the then unreleased ‘Joy Candle’ was burning, and loved the smell so much she bought it for her wedding.
Ms Eden said: “She had all her friends and her family there and she said the feeling was just overwhelming and she just never forgets that day and on her wedding anniversary.
“I was so honoured that even though I wasn't there, I felt like I was [at her wedding] because she got the joy candle burning, so that brought me so much happiness and joy.”
The woman now always buys the same candle on her wedding anniversary to give to her friends and family.
For Dawn Ireland, it is the positive feedback from people that drives her to continue with her business.
Ms Ireland said: “They see my work and the reaction I get from people that like my work and that makes me think, ‘Yeah, this is why I'm doing it’. Not only do I enjoy making, but when I see people appreciating it, people buying my work, it really makes it worthwhile.”
“Not nearly enough films about disabled athletes”: SHAFF ’25 spotlights accessibility outdoors
Panellists spoke about going beyond basic needs and promoting “a good life” during a talk on disability in the outdoors, as part of this year’s Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (SHAFF).
The panel hosted Clare Millington, a mother of twins with learning disabilities, who highlighted the issue of “low expectations”, and included a conversation on how disabled people are represented within the adventure film genre.
John Churcher, another speaker, talked about his climbing experience and said: “sometimes, people’s attitudes haven’t been the best, so we just try and educate them that blind people can do it.”
A range of viewpoints on the current state of accessibility for disabled people seeking to access the outdoors were shared, with topics like the right-to-roam campaign and the government’s proposal to limit disability support coming under discussion.
Anisah Barber, a disability rights campaigner and director of the Adaptive Riders Collective, spoke about her isolation from the outdoors community when she encountered frustration from “people who look at me and go ‘well, you look fine, so why are you struggling to do this’.”
She also drew attention to the additional cost of disability and said: “specialised kit is even more expensive, brands are perhaps only providing it to well-known people…as much as people might say that the outdoors is free, it’s not.”
SHAFF 2025’s co-director and the panel’s chair, Frit Tam, later spoke with Sheffield Wire and reflected on the hundreds of film submissions sent in for consideration.
He said: "There’s not nearly enough films about disabled athletes. We’re still really, I think, in such early days of that, but also, somewhat frustratingly, it’s 2025 and we shouldn’t be in the early days of that.”
It was a point brought home by Mr Churcher’s sight guide, Lauren Bean, who challenged herself to provide audio descriptions of movies after having to read out "90 minutes’ worth of subtitles".
She said: "I thought it must be lengthy, difficult and expensive because nobody's doing it, and I was just completely taken aback by how easy it was, and I think it just really annoyed me.
“I don’t think it should be acceptable that films featuring a blind person are not audio described…because if you’re making a film about blind people, who are you trying to inspire? Because it’s not other blind people, if it’s not accessible to them. It’s just not right.”
Mr Tam said: “Films create an opportunity to spend time with somebody, or somebody’s story, for an extended period of time in which you can then learn more about someone’s journey”.
During the weekend-long event, a series of film strands were screened, including a new ‘Reconnection’ segment that intended to showcase community-centred movies.
Set in a deprived district of South Dallas in the US, Danny Schmidt and Lindsey Hagen’s 4DWN – one of the films shown as part of ‘Reconnection’ – focuses on the pastoral role that a skatepark-turned-urban-farm is playing in parts of the city where the state has, in effect, retreated.
The crisis of food insecurity and a lack of social infrastructure intertwine, from the viewpoint of a young African-American boy who takes hold of the fragile joy to be found in latter-day skate culture.
Although adventure film remains dominated by the US and UK markets, Mr Tam said: “Here at SHAFF, we want to try and utilise film as a vehicle for sharing messages that we’re passionate about, that other filmmakers are passionate about.
“I think film will continue to have a really strong role to play in continuing to contribute to change.”
Next year, SHAFF celebrates its 20th anniversary and, according to Mr Tam, preparations already underway.
The festival’s founder, Matt Heason, has promised a sauna and ice bath at the ready outside the Showroom in 2026.