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
Doncaster athlete attempts to become first gold medallist in both summer and winter Paralympic Games
Yorkshire's Jo Butterfield MBE is preparing to compete in the Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles, a brand new event in the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
After winning gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the club throw event, she made the switch to wheelchair curling back in 2023.
Butterfield is looking to become the first British athlete to win a gold medal at both the summer and winter Paralympic games.
She said: “To now have the opportunity to go for gold at both a Summer and a Winter Paralympic Games is something I’m incredibly proud of, a goal I set myself when I first transferred to wheelchair curling in 2023 and it’s a challenge I’m fully committed to embracing.
“Ever since I first became a Paralympian, I’ve carried the dream of not just competing, but of pushing boundaries and seeing what’s possible.”
Butterfield won bronze at the 2023 World Wheelchair Curling Championship in the mixed team event.
She was born and raised in Yorkshire, but now represents Scotland at international level.
Alongside her teammate, Jason Kean, from Newcastle, they will become the first representatives from outside Scotland to take to the ice for Team GB.
The pair are already guaranteed a place in the British history books as the first paralympic competitors in the mixed doubles event in Curling.
Butterfield spoke on the historic partnership, saying: "That’s the beauty of the Paralympics, it’s the one year that brings the home nations together and gave us an opportunity to try this partnership.”
In 2011, Butterfield was paralysed below the chest after being diagnosed with a spinal tumour, before moving into para-athletics. She made the switch across to wheelchair curling in 2022.
Great Britain take on Estonia in their first match of the round-robin stage on Wednesday, two days before the Opening Ceremony in Verona.
The event is being hosted in the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, which just hosted the successful Great Britain men’s team, who won silver for a second consecutive Winter Olympic Games.
Image credit: Paralympics GB website
South Yorkshire smartphone divide: parents speak out as “landmark” UK consultation begins
South Yorkshire parents have mixed opinions over the UK Government's new "landmark" public consultation on children using smartphones.
The three-month consultation will address topics such as social media age limit and verification, mandatory overnight curfews, unrestricted chatbot use and navigation in a bid to enhance digital wellbeing for children. As of 10.30 am this morning, the window is open for anyone to have their say on the future of the digital world.
Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, says: "The path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play. That applies just as much to the online world as it does to the real one.
"We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having."
In South Yorkshire, about 2,500 parents have signed a pledge to delay giving their children smartphones until they turn 14 as part of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.
Stefanie Ruth Oakley, a mother-of-two, from Sheffield, says: "I think it can be hard work managing smartphone use and the risks of harm associated with addiction and social media.
"I know kids who had smartphones at 11 who are absolutely fine, and I know others who have free access to everything and are spending six hours plus per day on their phone, or up all night scrolling and can't get out of bed the next day. For me it was easier to just not give them one. I don't agree with following the herd and I don't think any child "needs" a phone."
Justin, a father of a 13-year-old in Oughtibridge, pointed out the root of the issue might be peer pressure.
He says: "I can remember when the first child in my lad's primary school class got a smartphone, I think she was about seven or eight, and many of the other parents were not happy about it because they knew what was coming from their own kids.
"We waited till the June before our child went to secondary school to give him a smartphone, even then I was unhappy about it, I do not have a smartphone so I am not a hypocrite in that regard. I was careful not to give it to him for his birthday or Christmas, I bought it for him so technically it's mine and I have the right to stop him using it."
On the flipside, some parents believe technology literacy is integral to a child's development, and allowing smartphone use is one way to introduce it.
Jeff Redhouse, a father from Sheffield, says: "I truly believe children should be allowed smart devices, they are an evolution of humanity, an integral part of our lives in this age. They are used to communicate and socialise, to learn and create, to belong."
However, he believes that controls and limits should be taken into account to safeguard their online engagement, around issues, including fatal crime or sexual assaults, that could have a detrimental impact of their mental wellbeing.
"We cannot allow complete freedom on devices for young minds," Mr Redhouse says. "Limitations must exist. But we must also allow engagement in the evolution whilst ensuring the other threads in the tapestry of life do not become insignificant and all that is left is a spool of wool rather than an impressive woven picture of humanity."
What are some methods Yorkshire parents have implemented to limit their children's screen time?
Many parents explained they encourage their kids to go outside and do sports activities. Others give them books, DVDs, old video games and board games to play with.
Beyond organised entertainment, some parents are turning to old-school discipline to curb screen time. A Sheffield parent, who commented on Reddit, found success in the kitchen: "Had mine cleaning out the dirty grout on the kitchen floor yesterday," they say. "Both absolutely loved it. First thing they both said this morning: 'Can we do the kitchen floor again?'".
Justin from Oughtibridge suggested a creative 'point system' in which his son has to work for screen time.
He says: "One of the few things we did right as parents was to make it clear to our child he was not going to be going on his phone or our laptops all the time. He gets one hour a week of free time, but after that he has to do something positive to be allowed to spend time on it, like reading, homework, doing something with us, or swim training with his club, particularly if he works hard. And it's the swimming that "earns" him by far the most time on that accursed thing.
"Last rule, which we have never broken, he is not allowed to take his phone upstairs. If he wants to go on his phone, or one of the laptops, he has to do it downstairs."
Taj, a dad-of-two, went against the norm as he bought his kids a laptop quite early and encouraged them to learn what can be done on a computer other than social media, such as coding, writing, design, educational games and researching topics.
"Online literacy is important," he says. "I teach them about the real harms that have come to young people as a result of social media, smartphone addiction, online bullying and watch documentaries on the topic together."
Such a diversity of voices and opinions is essential to ensure the new rules become effective in practice. Liz Kendall said: "This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change.
"Together, we will create a digital world that gives young people the childhood they deserve and prepares them for the future."
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson echoed this call, encouraging parents to take part in this "vital next step" to "give children the very best childhood in a digital age" and promised to publish public guidance and practical tools for parents to help their kids build a healthier relationship with technology.
With the new legislative powers allowing the government to act within months instead of years, the findings from the consultation will contribute immediately to a nationwide conversation on the public concerns about children and technology.
Sheffield drummer’s African ‘drumathon’ smashes fundraising target
A Sheffield drummer completed a four-hour-long African 'drumathon' charity fundraiser this weekend, raising over £1000 for a Yorkshire-based drugs and alcohol support service.
Steve Rivers, founder of Unbeatable Energy, an African drumming workshop business, raised just under £1100 for Project 6, a charity which provide recovery and support services for people affected by alcohol and drugs.
He continuously drummed on the traditional West African djembe for four hours between 1pm and 5pm at Sharrow Community Forum on Saturday 28th February.
Steve performed alongside Manchester-based performance group Tanante, members of the local community who dropped into the four hour drumathon and turned their hand to West African style drumming to join in Steve's rhythms.
The idea for African Drumathon formed when Steve decided he wanted to take himself out of his drumming comfort zone and organise a charity event which would challenge him to play the same rhythm repeatedly for the same duration a non-elite runner completes a marathon.
Project 6 is a cause close to Steve's heart. During his twenties, Steve experienced his own struggles with alcohol and drug use and is now 26 years clean and sober. He said: " I wish I could do my twenties again.
"Addiction is a hidden thing, it's like a lift, you can get off at any floor. Drumming smashes sense of isolation and you get to feel included in a community. People attending the event can take away information about Project 6 and I can help raise the profile of the charity.
Drumathon has become bigger than me and I am really excited."
Steve first began African drumming at 25 years old and turned his passion into his career when he founded Unbeatable Energy which delivers African drumming workshops for schools, businesses as well as running community evening classes.
You can listen to a track of African drumming from the drumathon below:
He has travelled to Africa several times, making multiple trips including to the Ivory Coast, Gambia and Senegal to immerse himself in African culture and improve his drumming technique.
Jamie Riley, band leader of Tanante, said he had done nothing like the African Drumathon before. He said at the end of the challenge: "I am exhausted, my hands and shoulders hurt but I am exhilarated by what we have managed to accomplish."
Manja Wolfram, Sheffield Head of Recovery at Project 6, said: "We are very thankful to Steve and Unbeatable Energy for his efforts in not only raising money but also awareness to Project 6 and our work around addiction recovery.
We have collaborated with Unbeatable Energy a number of times and know how effective the drumming is when working with community groups - we always get so much connection as well as fun from it, elements that can be a crucial discovery for people in early recovery.
We hope the event engages many people from the wider community and hence helps to reduce the stigma around addiction."
To support Steve's fundraiser, you can donate via his Just Giving page below: Steve Rivers is fundraising for Project 6 (Airedale Voluntary Drug and Alcohol Agency)
Women and Girls Safety Charter: hope for Sheffield women or surface level promise?
The safety of women and girls in Sheffield's night time economy is being brought to the forefront as a new charter is released. The aim is to make employers, venues and businesses more accountable for women's safety by making it a top priority in their spaces.
It outlines ‘Seven Commitments’ including designating a champion in each venue to ‘drive cultural change around safety in your organisation’. Another commitment reminds venues to remember the 3R’s - responsibility, report and response. Overall, the charter hammers home internal procedures venues can implement.
Joe Otten, Sheffield Councillor and Chair of the Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee, said: “For any organisation signing this charter is a promise to every woman and girl who walks through your door that her safety and dignity matter.
"When venues stand together on this, we send a powerful message that Sheffield is a city that cares.”
Data highlights that women are feeling at risk amongst the night-time economy more often than not, with 2024 statistics showing that women were more likely then men to experience stalking, domestic abuse and sexual assault. Asking Sheffield women, they echoed the sentiment stating that for women there have to be a thousand more mental steps on a night out to ensure their safety than there are for men.
Lissa Mel was in one of her favourite Sheffield venues when a man targeted her using a distraction to spike her drink. When she told security she simply received a shrug of the shoulders and was forced to move on with no support.
Annabel Seenor, 32, said: "There’s always a moment for a woman when you think 'is that okay?' And then you think 'who am I with? Am I safe? Where’s my phone? Where’s my purse?' That’s always a consideration.”
Sheffield women have reacted positively to the charter, suggesting it is an obvious step in the right direction and many have stated that a venue signing up would make them more likely to chose that spot.
However, there are still concerns. For example, why is signing up not compulsory for venues and what is there to ensure that measurements will be properly policed when implemented?
Sheffield Women's Collective is a grassroots organisation focusing on collaborative action, fundraising and local activism. They work to raise awareness of violence against women.
Co-founder of the organisation, Amber Millar, expressed that the organisation welcomes additional training through venues in Sheffield as it has been reported to them that staff often have little to no knowledge on common initiative such as Ask for Angela.
She acknowledged steps taken in the charter, such as the intersectional issues for disabled women, women of colour and unhoused women, as well as including trans and non-binary people in the conversation.
However, it was not without shortcomings. For example, although the charter refers to violence against women and girls it does not mention men's violence against women and girls.
Ms Millar said: “Whilst the document is practically useful for businesses and employers, it falls short of discussing the issue of men’s violence, and their responsibility in creating a safe city for women, in any meaningful way."
For the council, the charter coincides with the work they have done around the White Ribbon campaign, which encouraged men to hold themselves accountable to women and each other by wearing a white ribbon symbolising a promise never to commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women and girls.
At the time SheffieldWire published this article, no night time venues had signed up to the charter, according to Sheffield City Council. They believe this is because it has been a recent development, only having been approved on February 6, and they are working on publicity as well as sending it to both licensed and non-licensed venues in upcoming weeks.
However some Sheffield venues are still taking clear steps to consider women's safety. The Foundry enlists a night Welfare team, consisting of bar staff who have been specifically trained to provide with essential support. They also have the Safety Minibus, and their partnerships with Veezu Safe Rides and the Where You At? app, to ensure that women can travel home safely.
Photo: Foundry Welfare Team Source: Foundry Website
SheffieldWire asked women if they felt safe in Sheffield of a night. Nikki Manku, 21, said: “It completely depends where I am and what night out I am going on, for example if I was to go to Foundry I feel a lot safer because I know they have stuff in place, like the Safety Bus. But I can’t say I do feel safe going to places like West Street.”
Women and girls are constantly changing their behaviour every night to avoid risk predominantly from men. The Girlguiding 2025 Girls' Attitudes Survey showed that 68% of girls aged 11-21 have changed their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment.
This charter suggests a positive move in the right direction, making women's safety everyone's responsibility. Women across the city now wait and hope that this charter makes the change they need rather than becoming a surface level promise.
To sign up and find out which venues have contact safetycharter@sheffield.gov.uk
Crowds gather outside City Hall after the death of Iran’s supreme leader
A large gathering of people paraded outside of Sheffield's City Hall on Sunday after the death of Iranian's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Following joint US - Israeli attacks on Iran on Saturday night, Khamenei was killed in his office at the age of 86.
Khamenei's death sees the end of a nearly four decade tenure of supreme rule during which he oversaw a rule that wielded complete control over the state and military.
Demonstrators celebrated the death of the leader in Sheffield city centre, with crowds of people waving the Iranian flag, as well as US and Israeli flags, while singing cultural songs.
A participant said: "The Iranian people have been hostages of the Islamic revolution for 47 years. We have been protesting for 47 years. But today is different. Today we are celebrating his death."
The establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has existed since 1979, saw an end to the monarchical rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Since then, the Republic has enforced Islamic codes of dress and behaviour onto the public, as well as conservative societal values.
Khamenei was the 2nd leader of the Islamic Republic and his rule generated an outcry of controversy. The suppression of dissent within the country saw the imprisonment and death of numerous people.
Wishing to remain anonymous, a demonstrator said: "They have killed over 40,000 people. It doesn't matter whether you are from Sheffield, London or Iran, we all have the same feeling to share."
Also commenting on the unity of Iranians, one participant commented: "I was born in Sheffield, but my family, my aunts, uncles and grandparents, everyone knows someone who has been affected or killed by protests.
"They send people out every night to wash blood off the streets because they are shooting live ammunition into the crowd. They are just tired. They want freedom of speech."
He added: "Khamenei's death brings a massive sense of hope that things can get better."
An atmosphere of angst also shrouded the demonstration. When asked about the future of Iran, a participant said: "I don't know. To be honest, we just want freedom like other countries. We want everyone to be free."
The death of the Ayatollah leaves a power vacuum within the Iranian political leadership.
While one participant hoped that the monarchy would return, many are simply wishing for peace within their country.
New scheme gives £10m to fight poverty in Sheffield
A new funding scheme to provide support for Sheffield residents will allocate £10m per year in funding will prioritise “cash first” crisis payments.
The government-backed Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) will provide funding for the next three years to improve current support system and simplify access to benefit payments
Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “It will help us provide support that is not only practical but compassionate, so people can move out of crisis and towards stability."
Families will also be provided with greater income maximisation support to access everything they are eligible for.
Libraries, Welcome Places and Family Hubs will be involved in a ‘no-wrong-door model’ where residents can get trusted support with trauma informed staff.
An average of £2,628.50 is currently provided because of this support as families access benefits they did not receive before.
A report by Sheffield Poverty Truth found that the stigma of the ‘brown envelope system’, that takes benefits away with little warning, is particularly damaging for those in poverty.
Sarah Clayton, Sheffield Poverty Truth Community Commissioner said: “I know what it feels like when systems that are meant to help people instead cause harm - when you’re treated like a case number instead of a person."
Opposition from the Greens welcomed an end to the brown-envelope system and income maximisation support, but said it does not go far enough.
In a council meeting, Leader of the Sheffield Green Group, councillor Angela Argenzio, said the fund “does not address the root causes of poverty.”
Around one in four residents in Sheffield are currently experiencing poverty, and the ONS says that 31.2% of children are experiencing poverty, much higher than the national average of 18.9%.
Only two percent of councils believe that the government’s CRF is sufficient to deal with the rapidly growing needs of struggling households.
Thousands donate to The Leadmill as Sheffield’s indie music venue fights to return
Sheffield's 45-year-old independent music venue, The Leadmill, is crowdfunding to reopen after its controversial closure in June 2025.
The crowdfunder, which will go towards securing a new space for the indie venue, was announced on Wednesday, and so far it has garnered just under £7,000 of its £30,000 target towards the venue's relocation.
Pulp, Oasis and the Stone Roses were just some of the bands which made the venue famous following its launch in 1980. It regularly hosted smaller, independent artists too.
But since June 2025, people in Sheffield have had one big question: where, if not The Leadmill, will Sheffield's once-thriving independent music scene go?
The venue's relocation has been met with mixed reviews.
Martin Fox used to travel in from Barnsley for nights out at The Leadmill: "It's not the same, is it? I think my first gig there was when I was 17. I'm 44 now, and I've been to Leadmill for a long time. It's got to be the original."
Younger former-attendees were less concerned about the location.
"As long as its still got sticky floors, I don't think there'll be much difference," said Liam Craft, 21, who counts himself lucky to have experienced Leadmill a handful of times before its closure.
Last year, Music Venue Trust's annual report revealed that thirty grassroots venues across the country - including The Leadmill - had closed in 2025.
At the Brit Awards on Saturday night, Ellie Rowsell, lead singer of Wolf Alice, used her acceptance speech for Best Group to call for more support for grassroots venues: "It’s worth mentioning that despite the billions of pounds the live sector contributes to our economy, last year 30 independent venues closed down.
"Six thousand jobs were lost, and over half of small venues reported making no profit at all. It shouldn’t be a battle to survive as a band or any artist."
Sheffielders echoed Rowsell's concerns about the future of grassroots music in the wake of The Leadmill's closure.
Liam Twyford, 43, loves indie music and thinks venues like The Leadmill are vital for independent artists to survive: "The economy is struggling and the price of buildings has gone up unbelievably. Like, where do smaller bands rehearse and perform now?"
The Cyrus, a 22-year-old artist from Sheffield, dreamed of performing at The Leadmill one day. The loss of the venue left him "quite upset", but he welcomes the prospect of its relocation.
"It'd be like a dream to perform there, you know. Especially for me, coming from Sheffield, basically born and raised here. Knowing all the great artists that got the chance in the past to perform there in the past, you know, it's an achievement," he said. "And I think plenty of students that would happily, happily donate."
More information on The Leadmill Relocation Fund can be found here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/4nBZ00Nn?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink
“If you’re into it, read into it”: Sheffield prepares to celebrate 2026 as the Year of Reading
A year-long reading campaign has been launched to address the dropping literacy rate around the country and overall decline in reading.
The new scheme comes from the National Literacy Trust, a literacy charity aiming to support children and young people in strengthening their literacy skills.
Alongside the department of education, they have dubbed 2026 as the "year of reading" and named their campaign 'If you're into it, read into it.'
The trust said: "Reading expands our world and sharpens our minds, yet fewer people are making time to read."
The annual literacy survey in 2024 showed one in three children aged between 8-18 years old like reading in their free time, with only one in five actually spending their free time reading.
But the survey also revealed that accessibility often stands between children and reading more, with 1 in 12 children saying they don't have books of their own to read, and one in five parents claimed they are buying fewer and fewer books for their children due to the cost of living crisis.
To combat this issue, the National Literacy Trust is dedicated to providing children more access to books through their 'libraries for primaries campaign', launched to provide every primary school in the UK with a library space by 2028.
The year of reading is also being adopted by several book-centred spaces around Sheffield. Sheffield Libraries will have child-friendly events taking place from January to December, from visits from local authors and illustrators to dedicated arts and crafts events.
Every few months the year of reading will see a different theme. 'Creativity', the first theme, will last until the end of march.
Broomhill community library is one of the libraries in Sheffield preparing to celebrate the year of reading.
Lindsey Bagles, joined the library in 2021, to then later become a trustee. Alongside a team, she oversees all governance work for the library, the gardens, and any other activities they offer at the library.
She said while they are still planning special events for the year of reading, one thing they will do is organise a "big book giveaway."
The giveaway will also coincide with the upcoming World of Book day, set to take place on 5th of March 2026.
Ted Hunt is a session coordinator at Broomhill Library, in charge of overseeing the volunteers who run the library. He said while the library is preparing events for the year of reading and world of book day, the library already offers a wide range of events, most of which are aimed at children and supporting their local community.
Their most popular events consist of hosting children's author to do a book signing.
Mr Hunt said: "Children are fascinated to meet the person who wrote the stories they love."
Alongside libraries, Sheffield schools are also planning events to celebrate the year of reading, on top of their usual initiatives to encourage interest in reading.
Matty Harrison is a trainee teacher at a Sheffield secondary school. As an effort to tackle the dropping literacy rate and interest in literature, the school has allocated specific lessons for students to spend an hour or two reading a book of their choice. He said: "I think being able to read is a really crucial skill.
"I think the more able a person is to locate and consume and judge information, about the world, the more resilient they'll be, the more resistant they'll be to people who are trying to feed them misinformation."