“Black hole” wait times for trans healthcare may be as high as 22 years at Sheffield’s gender identity clinic
A Sheffield trans woman fears she will "more likely die first" than receive the treatment she desperately needs from Sheffield's gender clinic to fully transition to female.
Newly-released information has revealed that fewer than 1% of people on the trans healthcare waiting list for Sheffield’s Porterbrook Gender Identity Clinic were seen last month.
Amber, 45, made a freedom of information request that showed only eight of the 2,302 trans people on the clinic's waiting list got appointments between 22 October and 22 November this year.
At that rate of care, Amber says it would take more than 22 years for everyone on the list to be seen.
Amber said: “If I’m not going to get seen by Porterbrook in two decades, that’s a quarter of my life before I can even start living normally. Living as me. It makes life very, very pointless. I get repeated suicidal thoughts because what’s the point?”
When approached for comment on its wait times, Porterbrook clinic replied: “We provide up to date information about our waiting times on our website.”
The website says: “We are currently booking appointments for people who were referred to the service in July 2018. The longest wait time is currently 62 months as of September 2023.”
According to Amber, however, those figures are deceptive. “62 months would only be a meaningful number if they were working through the waiting list at the same rate people were being added.”
The rate of patients joining the list currently far outpaces the rate of patients being seen. In November last year, there were already 1,865 people on it. Since then, there have been 437 new patients added. At Porterbrook's current rate of eight patients per month, it would take more than four years to just get through those newly-added patients.
Amber said the mental health toll of waiting has been severe. When she first sought trans care from Porterbrook in autumn 2021, she was suicidal. “I knew that I either needed to do something about transitioning, or I may as well kill myself,” she said.
Amber has been forced to go private for her hormone replacement therapy, the medicine she needs to lower her testosterone and increase her estrogen levels. She has been unable to receive care for the other treatments she needs, including counselling, top and bottom surgery, hair removal, and voice training to feminise her speech.
Research has found that trans people facing high wait times for gender clinic care are at greater risk of harming themselves, having suicidal thoughts, and experiencing depression.
Heather Paterson, co-chair of Sheffield LGBTQ+ Multi-Agency Network and CEO of SAYiT Sheffield, said: “We are seeing more young people presenting with increasingly severe mental health difficulties. People feel like they don't matter, facing the black hole of never-ending waiting lists that they don't think they will ever see the front of.”
Ms Paterson explained that many trans people feel forced to “DIY transition,” either resorting to unregulated treatments without proper supervision, or paying exorbitantly expensive private health care costs.
At Harley Street Gender Clinic, a private clinic in London, the initial consultation for trans care alone costs £575. Some trans people have felt forced to turn to online fundraising websites such as Go Fund Me to access trans healthcare.
Ms Paterson said: “Currently the conversations about trans healthcare in the UK are being dominated by people who aren't using the services with trans voices being erased. We need to run a health service informed by the best available health information and international best practice, not a political agenda."
Breaking: Sheffield Parkway closed following multi-vehicle collision
Sheffield Parkway has been closed between Derek Dooley Way and Prince of Wales Road after a multi-vehicle collision. Emergency services are at the scene and South Yorkshire Police have urged people to stay clear of the area. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing an air ambulance present at the scene.
More to follow.
“Women should just be free to exist”: The 16 Days Campaign in Sheffield
The University of Sheffield's Women's Officer called out "lad culture" as one of the main issues facing women, as the 16 Days campaign began last weekend.
The campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December, was created to educate people about gendered violence and how to tackle it. It began with the Sheffield Reclaim the Night march, last Saturday.
Zoe Lancaster, The University of Sheffield’s Women’s Officer, said: “Obviously there’s so many issues I think there’s not just one that is the most important but one that I think really needs to be tackled is this sort of lad culture.
“This sort of lad culture is and can be very misogynistic and young men especially now with people like Andrew Tate on social media, it's quite easy for young men to get sucked into that sort of thought pattern of not viewing women as their equals.”
The University has been active in putting on events for the 16 Days, which include drop-in sessions to provide women a safe space to air their concerns, socials specifically for queer women, and an art therapy session.
Sheffield City Council hold a monthly vigil on the first Thursday of every month for women who have been victims of femicide. They meet outside of the City Hall and honour the lives of those we have lost.
At the Parliamentary Reception held by The Phoenix Pledge, which tackles the culture that enables gender-based violence and highlights this as a freedom issue, dedicated women’s rights advisor and great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, Helen Pankhurst CBE said: “Despite the laws, women’s experiences are that there’s a curfew for absolutely every single woman in this space. There’s a curfew about when and where you can be out.”
One of the main focuses of the 16 Days campaign is educating young people on gendered violence and how to spot misogynistic behaviour.
The Safe Spaces Now project, created by UN Women, works closely with music festivals such as Sheffield’s Tramlines, as these areas tend to be hotspots for gendered violence. Their trained active bystanders, nicknamed guardian angels, are placed throughout venues to intervene if someone is being harassed.
Atonte Semira, the Head of Community at United Nations Women UK, said: "Women should just be free to exist.
“The more people we train, the more members of the public understand not just how to be an active bystander [...] but also they understand the issue and pass that message on as well.”
Sheffield dog shelters say they are “unequipped” after rise in abandoned American XL Bullies
The government ban on American Bully XL dogs could lead to increased abandonment rates, leading Sheffield animal shelters and charities have warned.
Following the recent rise in attacks and fatalities, the American Bully XL has been added to the list of banned dog breeds in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Following the announcement animal shelters and kennels across Sheffield have seen a rise in the abandonment of American XL Bullies, as well as dogs similar in appearance to the Bully, but don’t fall under the government's definition of them.
A representative of the Mill House Animal Sanctuary (MHAS) said they have been inundated by owners trying to give up their dogs.
She said: “We’ve definitely had more abandoned Bullies. We had two this morning that they were trying to get rid of, but we had to refuse.”
The ban will make it illegal for animal shelters to rehome the breed, forcing shelters to refuse accepting them.
The rising abandonment rates have overstretched charities, who are unable to bear veterinary expenses to neuter them.
MHAS said: “We don’t just take dogs. We have cats, horses, birds and we’re underequipped to take large dogs. It’s not the dogs’ fault but the irresponsible owners, but we’re simply unequipped to take large dogs.
“We just don’t know what to do with them.”
Cass Bailey of Barnsley Animal Rescue said they have stopped accepting American XL Bullies.
She said: “We don’t have any bullies in our care at the moment and we’ve stopped taking them because we know we won’t be able to rehome them past January.”
The government announced that starting 1 February, it will be illegal to own, breed, rehome, abandon or sell XL bully dogs. However, owners can apply for a Certificate of Exemption for their dogs but will have to leash and muzzle their dogs in public.
The announcement has sent owners scrambling to procure exemptions for their dogs and adhere to the new stipulations for owning the breed.
Earlier this month, two dogs, believed to be XL bullies were seized following an attack on a dog and its owner in Firth Park.
South Yorkshire Police said that XL Bully dogs account for 25 per cent of seizures.
Miss Bailey said: “I think any dog can be nasty. Puppies aren’t born nasty. It’s what people do to them that makes them nasty.”
Sheffield’s Santa’s Grotto catering for allergies and sensory needs: “It keeps the magic alive”
A community food bank has organised a Christmas grotto this weekend that can adapt to children with food allergies and sensory needs to ensure every child can visit Santa this year.
The ‘Jingle and Mingle’ Christmas fundraiser, by the S12 Community Pantry, is taking place on Sunday 3rd December at the Frenchville Sports and Social Club car park.
Lights and music can be altered so children with sensory needs are not overwhelmed, families will be allocated time slots for those that struggle with queues, and alternative selection boxes will be provided to cater for allergies.
Jayne Mason, organiser of the S12 Pantry, wanted to make the event as inclusive as possible so no child feels left out this Christmas. Entry to the Grotto is £2, helping families struggling with financial hardship, and is wheelchair accessible.
She said: “I have three children and they’ve all gone to see Santa. It’s an exciting time for them and to not be able to go because you’ll be getting something you can’t eat, it spoils it, whereas if you give them something allergy free, it keeps the magic alive for them.”
Many parents struggle during the holidays to find events that will be suitable for their children and often inclusive events can become more expensive.
Samantha, whose son has ADHD, autism and a dairy allergy, struggles every year to find an accommodating event as he finds crowds and loud noises hard to deal with.
Jayne offered her the last booking of the day to avoid queuing and created a bespoke selection box suitable for his allergies. Samantha added: "She's been lovely."
She said: “You can’t change the world for your child, but you’ve got to try and make it easier for them. So when you do find a service that is more inclusive and more helpful, it makes you feel like you’re not alone.”
Tom Purser, Head of Guidance, Volunteering and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society said: “It’s absolutely key for parents and carers to think about ways to enjoy the festive season that works for them and their families. Don’t feel pressured into doing things just because 'that's what everybody else does.'"
The pantry plans to make all their events as inclusive as possible.
Refugee charity says Sheffield’s status as City of Sanctuary “can’t just be a title, it needs to be a commitment”
Sheffield organisations are renewing their calls to lift the ban on asylum seeker's right to work, as they currently face a 12 month wait.
This comes after the latest immigration statistics show there are 11,490 people living on asylum support in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Aso Mohammadi, a journalist who has been given refugee protection by the UK Government said: "With these anti-immigration, discriminatory and cruel policies, including the ban on work, you have cut off the breath of our life.
"We cannot breathe. Please open the space."
The Lift the Ban Coalition are asking for people seeking asylum to be given the right to work after six months, and for this to be unconstrained by the Shortage Occupation List.
These renewed calls follow Sheffield Council's unanimously passed landmark motion on 5th July 2023 that re-affirmed Sheffield's status as a City of Sanctuary.
Melinda Mo Martinez, Advocacy and System Change Coordinator at City of Sanctuary Sheffield said: "The city of sanctuary can't just be a title, it needs to be a commitment.
"All of these people are human beings.
"Sheffield has a long tradition of fighting for the rights of those whose voices have been silenced, and this is an opportunity to continue that tradition."
She said lifting the ban will allow more refugees to build a life and community in Sheffield because at the minute they are living in isolated hotels away from the city centre where it is harder practice English and integrate with local communities.
The council also committed to join the Lift the Ban Coalition made up of over 300 other businesses, recruiters, think tanks, trade unions, asylum charities and faith groups including City of Sanctuary Sheffield who hope pressure from Local Authorities to MPs will support national policy change to the UK's immigration rules.
Currently, the UK's immigration rules allow for people seeking asylum to request permission to work if they have been waiting for more than 12 months on their asylum claim "through no fault of your own". Such as if the Home Office are delayed in giving someone a decision.
Right to Remain say almost everyone who is given the right to work under this policy is only allowed to work a job on the Shortage Occupation List, a list of jobs published by the Home Office showing the jobs that have a shortage of people working in them in the UK.
Members of the Coalition, Năm Sông cafe in Broomhill, Sheffield are working to raise awareness of the need to lift the ban.
Co-founder of Năm Sông, Jim Rose, 30, said: "It just doesn't make sense.
"All they want to do is come here, make a life for themselves, make a life for their families and also help to contribute to society and they're legally not allowed to."
Mr Rose will be speaking at an event held by Lift the Ban campaigners to launch the local campaign to win the right to work for asylum seekers at Sheffield Town Hall on 15th December.
Sheffield MPs back Christmas fundraiser for Palestinian aid
Labour MPs across Sheffield have joined together to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) as part of an annual Christmas appeal.
The appeal was announced by Paul Blomfield - MP for Sheffield Central - on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week.
In the announcement he wrote: “Each Christmas I organise an appeal for a local or national charity.
“This year I’m raising money with Sheffield’s other Labour MPs for the emergency appeal made by Medical Aid for Palestinians.”
Mr Blomfield is joined in supporting the appeal by fellow Labour representatives Olivia Blake, Clive Betts, Gill Furniss and Louise Haigh; who represent Sheffield Hallam, Sheffield South East, Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough and Sheffield Heeley respectively.
The appeal takes place as Israel resumes strikes in Gaza following a brief ceasefire, during which prisoners held by both Israel and Hamas were exchanged and more images of destruction and suffering were broadcast around the world.
MAP operates programmes in Gaza and the West Bank working to ensure health and dignity for Palestinian communities, providing aid including mental health services and children and women’s health support according to the organisation’s website.
Labour’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza has proved divisive within the party for both representatives and members.
Tensions came to a head two weeks ago, when a motion by the SNP calling for an immediate ceasefire compelled 56 Labour MPs to rebel against Sir Keir Starmer’s more moderate call for a pause to hostilities.
10 Labour frontbenchers quit their posts as a result of Sir Keir’s stance, which was considered inadequate by a substantial number of his MPs.
Counted among the 56 dissenting Labour MPs are two of the MPs backing the MAP fundraiser: Paul Blomfield and Clive Betts, with Olivia Blake indicating on X that while unable to attend the vote for medical reasons - she would also have backed the SNP in the vote.
In her post addressing her absence Ms Blake wrote: “If I were able to attend, I can assure you that I would absolutely vote for an immediate ceasefire.
“I am pained that I cannot be there to do so, but my conviction remains unchanged and I will continue to push for a ceasefire with all the means at my disposal.”
As the conflict rages on, this fundraiser backed by the five Labour MPs representing a broad swath of Sheffield highlights the continued importance of this issue for MPs and the constituents they represent.
The appeal can be found here: Sheffield Labour MPs is fundraising for Medical Aid for Palestinians (justgiving.com)
Percy Pud Given Green Light Despite Weather Fears
Sheffield City Council have confirmed the annual 10k will go ahead despite fears of frozen roads along run route.
There are over 2,000 participants set to run on this year's edition on 3 December at 9:30 am. At the end of the route, runners will be met with hot and cold drinks, as well as a live performance by a brass band.
Temperatures dropped below freezing last night in South Yorkshire. This morning, there were growing fears that the annual race would be cancelled as roads were left frozen.
Richard Dunk of the Steel City Striders, and co-ordinator of the race, has confirmed the run will be going ahead, albeit with a few potential alterations:
Mr Dunk said: "The council are sending workers with a JCB to shift the ice and grit the road this afternoon. There might be a slight turn around on the original course, but we've got the go ahead."
The update is welcome for the people of Sheffield, who consider the December event the signal of the beginning of the festive period.
Police appeal for information after armed robbery in Barnsley
Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery took place on Barnsley Road in Cudworth last week.
Officers responded to the Post Office at 9:15 am on the 24th of November after reports of masked offenders gaining entry to the premises.
The pair allegedly assaulted two staff members who suffered minor injuries, and carried weapons, before they fled the store with a quantity of cash.
The offenders are believed to have left the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage of the incident, or anyone who may have been in the area at the time.
Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 and quote incident number 192.
Footage can be emailed to enquries@southyorkhire.police.uk with the incident number in the subject line.
Blades head to Burnley in must-win game as pressure mounts on Heckingbottom
A potentially season-defining encounter awaits Sheffield United this Saturday as they travel to Turf Moor to take on bottom-placed Burnley.
Just one point separates the two newly-promoted teams with both sides desperately needing a win in their fight for Premier League survival.
United sit 18th with one win from 13 league games and the worst defensive record in the top flight, a run of form that has left manager Paul Heckingbottom’s job at serious risk.
When asked whether he felt under pressure, Heckingbottom said: “No, I’ve spoken with Stephen [Bettis, club CEO], and there’s been no different conversations. There’s pressure from ourselves, because we want to win.”
The Blades had been building some momentum before the international break thanks to a stoppage-time victory over Wolves and an away draw with Brighton, before a disappointing 3-1 loss to Bournemouth last weekend.
United are now four points adrift from safety and cannot afford a consecutive defeat that would see Burnley leapfrog them in the table.
Heckingbottom clarified that defender Anel Ahmedhodzic and striker Oli McBurnie were much closer to full fitness after the latter said the pair were off the pace against Bournemouth following their return from injury.
United will be up against a familiar face this weekend as Sander Berge plays against the Blades for the first time since leaving Bramall Lane for Burnley in a £12m transfer in August.
The sale of a star player to a relegation rival caused controversy among fans at the time, with the transfer indicating the club’s weakened financial position, a situation that Heckingbottom is all too aware of.
The manager said: “Burnley have gone out and signed 15 players for £100m, we couldn’t do that."
"We can’t hide away from what a body blow [losing Berge] was.”
Home side Burnley are without a win since 3rd October and find themselves in a similarly endangered position despite significant investment this summer.
Manager Vincent Kompany will be hoping his persistence with a more adventurous style of play will finally pay off and see his side replicate their 2-0 defeat of United when the sides last faced off in the Championship in April.
Kick-off is at 3pm tomorrow at Turf Moor.
Sheffield Wednesday LGBTQ+ fan group prepares to “strengthen allyship” in Owls’ chosen Rainbow Laces match
Rainbow Owls are at the forefront of Sheffield Wednesday's matchday events this weekend as they prepare to highlight the LGBTQ+ community in football through the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Chris Ledger, founder of Rainbow Owls, described how showing support through the Rainbow Laces initiative is as crucial now as it has ever been.
Mr Ledger said: "Our activities for Saturday's designated Rainbow Laces game against Blackburn Rovers mean that the LGBTQ+ community will engage with the club in a broad manner, including key Rainbow Owls members holding our banner with first-team players.
"Rainbow Laces also helps to develop and strengthen allyship."
The Rainbow Laces campaign is entering its 10th year and is designed to show support for the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in sport.
Rainbow Owls' engagement with the club will include joint youth engagement work with the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme who will be delivering an LGBTQ+ awareness presentation to primary school children. The group will also be holding an informal social at the fan zone.
Awareness and visibility is a vital aspect of Rainbow Owls' involvement with the Owls since it was formed in June 2023. However there is still some way to go before the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome in sport.
Recent research by Stonewall, who run the Rainbow Laces campaign, reported that only 36% of people who responded to them felt that sport was inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.
Mr Ledger was vocal about what he wants to come out of campaigns such as Rainbow Laces.
He said: "The hope is that existing allies will continue their support of us and encourage newer allies to have more conservations about issues in LGBTQ+ football."
The Maddy Cusack Foundation
Maddy Cusack, the Vice-Captain of Sheffield United, was 27-years-old when she died. Many have shared tributes detailing their memories, celebrating her life and praising her work supporting young players. Maddy's family remembers her unique, determined spirit and drive through the creation of a foundation in her name.