Morning Brief: Friday 1st December
Here’s a rundown of three stories appearing on the Sheffield Wire today
A transgender woman facing a 22 year wait to see a consultant at Porterbrook Gender Identity Service has spoken about the impact on her life and mental health.
Refugee organisations in Sheffield have renewed their calls for people seeking asylum to be allowed to work after the latest immigration figures were released.
One Sheffield woman can no longer afford to insure her e-bike after it was stolen for a second time, as Sheffield council seeks to encourage cycling in the city.
Sheffield commuters share “struggles” over December train strikes
Members of the train drivers union ASLEF will take part in a walkout from 2 to 8 December, as part of the most recent wave of train strikes.
The ASLEF union, which has over 21,000 members, covers multiple train lines, including: East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, and Northern. The strikes are set to cause havoc to services going in and out of Sheffield.
Members will also refuse to work any overtime from 1 to 9 December.
Sheffield residents have been vocal about how these strikes will affect them. Holly Ayrton, 25, said: “We are struggling now to work out what we’re going to do but also, in the same respect, I’m very supportive of the union’s strike and I understand the reasons but we have struggled because of it, which is difficult.”
Typically, the union calls for all train companies to walkout on the same day. However, to create the most disruption, different train companies will be walking out on each of the strike days.
When asked about her opinions about the upcoming train strikes, Alice Brengosz, 22, said: “I can imagine it’s going to be quite frustrating but I don’t really mind. I mean people have got to do what they’ve got to do.”
Train drivers at the majority of English Train Operating Companies (TOCs) have not had a salary increase in four and a half years and with the ongoing cost of living crisis, their pay is not stretching as far as it used to.
Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said: “Every time they vote - and they have voted overwhelmingly - for strike action in pursuit of a proper pay rise it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April.”
ASLEF has managed to obtain reasonable pay deals with 14 companies over the past year but has been unable to come to an agreement with all of the train companies that are controlled by the government.
Train drivers are not only fighting for improved pay. Companies are asking for their terms and conditions to be updated, which is an even more complex issue owing to the differing needs of each train company.
With the government’s refusal to deal with TOCs separately, negotiations have been made even harder. Mr Whelan said: “Some TOCs have Sundays in the working week, some don’t. One size does not - cannot and will not - fit all.”
While RMT have just announced the end of their strikes, train drivers under ASLEF are still struggling to get their demands met.
As there seems to be no willingness from the government to listen to the concerns of train drivers, it is unlikely that Sheffield and the rest of the UK will see an end to train strikes in the near future.
Mr Whelan said: “We will continue to take industrial action until the train companies - and/or the government - sits down and negotiates with us in good faith.”
The results of ASLEF's recent reballot have been released, this morning, with members, once again, voting for another six months of train strikes.
Billy Sharp: Where Next for Blades Legend?
“I’d love to stay. I’ve really enjoyed it. The lads have been great. The fans have been great.” said Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp, just over two weeks before LA Galaxy announced that he would not be retained following the conclusion of the 2023 MLS season.
The 37-year-old quickly found his feet stateside, scoring six goals in his 12 appearances for Galaxy, but was released alongside household names Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Douglas Costa.
Sheffield-born Sharp made 359 appearances for the Blades across three spells, scoring 129 goals, but was released at the end of the club’s promotion-winning 2022/23 Championship campaign.
A return to his hometown seems to be unlikely, although United boss Paul Heckingbottom confirmed that he had been in conversation with Sharp during his pre-match press conference yesterday. The club travel to Burnley on Saturday for an all-important relegation scrap.
He said: “I’m in contact with Bill a bit. He’s still looking for a football club… if he’s going to play over here he wants to keep fit and tick over.
“I have spoken to him about it, yeah.”
Despite infamously clashing with Wrexham last season, in which the forward called the Welsh club “disrespectful” and added “I think the referee was helping them as well”, the club have recently emerged as a possible destination for Sharp.
In a recent interview on William Hill’s ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’ podcast, the 37-year-old said: “I don’t hold grudges. If that were one of my better options, why not.”
The forward also revealed that he was close to joining Celtic during the Covid-19 pandemic, in which he was playing for United in the Premier League, but he turned it down out of loyalty for his boyhood club.
“I should have probably gone. But I think my heart took over again with Sheffield United, the loyalty to Sheffield United.”
Sharp is currently one goal away from hitting 250 in the English leagues, and remains the all-time top scorer in the second tier.
‘Coping With Christmas’ Workshops help with the pressures of the season
A workshop is being offered to people across Sheffield to cope with the pressures of Christmas.
Space to Breathe have organised the events offering advice on how to navigate the mental stress that is often associated with the festive season.
Andy Freeman, 54, owner of the organisation, which is based at Scotia Works, supports people through services including counselling, mindfulness and psychotherapy.
The ‘Coping with Christmas’ workshop was created as a response to how difficult people find the winter period.
Mr Freeman, who founded the non-profit social enterprise seven years ago, highlighted the Christmas period can feel much worse for those coping with bereavement or loss, or for those affected by the cost of living crisis.
He said: “We are all talking about inflation going down and the chancellor this week has said that he thinks the country’s turned its corner, but that would not be my experience of what people are feeling right now.
“More than last year the sense I’m hearing of the pressure to afford presents. People are asking ‘how can I cut back?’ or ‘What are people going to think of me if I don’t get as big of a present, are my kids going to feel let down?'"
Mr Freeman explained one of the attendees of the workshop felt under pressure at work because they couldn't afford a £15 Secret Santa gift.
Emma Taylor, 51, the lead for partnerships and engagement at Sheffield City Council said she had also noticed a change in Sheffield’s residents' concerns about Christmas.
Ms Taylor said: “The focus is not necessarily ‘what am I going to spend on Christmas’ it’s actually ‘am I going to be able to afford to put my heating on?’, or ‘am I going to be able to afford to eat?’
"People on universal credit or job seekers allowance are asking for advances because of the pressure of Christmas.”
Ms Taylor said that her role as part of a crisis team is reacting to the record numbers of emergency financial support and food bank referrals.
If you need any help this Christmas you can call the Community support helpline at 0114 263 4567 or contact ‘Space to Breathe’.
Backlash over transgender footballer branded “complete nonsense” by charity
By Nicole Collins and Amy Britton
A Sheffield LGBTQ+ charity has voiced its support for a transgender football player who decided to leave her club due to hostility from other teams.
Francesca Needham released a statement on the Rossington Main Ladies FC Facebook page explaining her decision to step down from playing football. Several local football clubs had voiced their concerns and some had refused to play because of Miss Needham’s participation in the league.
She said: “I sincerely hope that this issue of perceived discrimination against me can be resolved peacefully and promptly.”
Miss Needham said she came to this conclusion after considering the well-being and success of her former teammates. She added: “This decision is rooted in the desire to safeguard the team and the club’s trajectory.”
SAYiT is Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ local charity which offers support to young people up to the age of 25. It offers counselling, parent and carer support groups, and provides education to schools through outreach programmes.
Chief executive officer, Heather Paterson, shared the charity’s view on the situation.
She said: “The whole narrative that trans women are taking over is complete nonsense.”
Miss Paterson suggested there was a hostile political agenda influencing sporting decisions, rather than legitimate sport science.
During the Conservative Party Conference, which was held in Manchester, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed that the public is being “bullied” into believing that “people can be any sex they want to be.”
Miss Paterson said: “It’s easier for them to make this argument when it's a contact sport, but we are seeing it in non-contact sports such as chess. This shows that there is political motivation.”
In August the International Chess Foundation temporarily banned transgender women from competing in female chess events.
And a week after Miss Needham left her football team, it was reported that Canadian cricketer Danielle McGahey would no longer be allowed to play the game, under new rules from the International Cricket Council.
“This isn't the same problem because if anyone hit a cricket ball in your face, it’s probably going to knock your teeth out,” Miss Paterson said.
On 20 November, Transgender Day of Remembrance, a vigil was held in Sheffield City Centre’s Winter Gardens to allow Sheffield’s transgender community to share their stories and reflect on lives lost in the past 12 months.
Miss Paterson said she received two death threats on the same day last year.
“You shouldn’t normalise things like that but I’m so used to it," she added.
Endometriosis: Changes needed around thoughtless language
Endometriosis UK has launched a campaign to put an end to the ‘thoughtless’ language used when talking about the debilitating condition.
The word ‘benign’ is frequently used when describing any gynaecological issue that is not cancer, but endometriosis patients feel it undermines their condition.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK said: “The impression is those with the disease and other gynaecology conditions are less in need of timely support and treatment, even though their symptoms can be severe and life changing.”
The nationwide campaign, which launched last month, has opened the discussion on how women’s health conditions are often dismissed.
Janice Rymer, Professor of Gynaecology at King’s College London and former National Advisor of Gynaecology, said: “Women have been dismissed for a very long time but I think the media is helping at the moment to really raise awareness of endometriosis, of termination, of menopause and other conditions are getting a lot of air time now, which is great.”
The average diagnosis time for someone with endometriosis is eight years. According to Endometriosis UK, 1.5 million people are living with the condition, but with NHS waiting times increasing, it is likely to be much higher.
Prof Rymer said: “Many women are crippled by the pain and if you have severe endometriosis affecting other organs, it is a major disease. Women go back and forth and are dismissed.”
Endometriosis is a medical condition where cells similar to those that make up the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. These cells then break down, build up inside the body, and create scar tissue. This leads to inflammation and extreme pain. Symptoms of the condition include heavy bleeding, fatigue and infertility. This often leads to depression due to isolation, difficulties working, and strained relationships.
Charlotte Grahame, 28, a clinical psychologist from Sheffield, waited 11 years to get a diagnosis and was initially told it was “just part of being a woman”. She was 15 when she first noticed symptoms and was diagnosed at 26.
“I had about 15 ultrasound scans over the years which all came back clear because they are not great at picking up endometriosis,” explained Charlotte. “I was then discharged and sent on my way again. It’s been a long journey. It can feel so all-consuming to your life.”
Another sufferer, who we have given a false name, was left unable to work due to her condition, first experienced symptoms when she was 15. After years of feeling dismissed, her parents helped pay for a private laparoscopy, the gold-standard surgery for diagnosing endometriosis.
Doctors suggested surgery to remove the endometriosis but none of the specialists who could carry out the operation were based near her home town and she could not afford long-term private treatment.
Elizabeth* has felt at times her condition has not been taken seriously and became so overwhelmed she attempted to take her own life, but was stopped by a police officer, who had a wife with endometriosis.
She explained: “It felt surreal at the time that she showed up. Seeing her reminded me of what I wanted to be as a kid. Being gay myself it felt like an amazing coincidence that she showed up and that she had experience with endometriosis.
“I understand that doctors are probably emotionally exhausted and cannot be completely empathetic but it really felt like some of them were not listening or didn’t care at all. The language and the way they often discuss endometriosis can be very frustrating. It can feel like they are belittling me and the pain of symptoms.”
A third sufferer, Jessica Arnold, 30, was diagnosed when she 28 after struggling with symptoms for 12 years. She had been told during an invasive exam her pain was psychological.
Jessica filed a formal complaint against a nurse who suggested her chronic pain was due to childhood abuse and were not symptoms of endometriosis.
She said: “I think because I’m quite strong willed I felt able to say that it was physical pain not psychological. But I know that it would be difficult for a lot of women to be able to advocate for themselves in that situation.
“Sometimes I think medics forget we’re real people experiencing this rather than a study or a case file and what they say can be incredibly harmful.”
The language used to describe endometriosis needs to accurately reflect the experiences of those living with it needs to support the feelings of those suffering with the condition.
Prof Rymer said: “It all comes down to education. Educating women to speak up for themselves. That’s the key to empowering women to speak up and not get fobbed off. Every woman is different and it’s important for everyone to talk about their symptoms and how it’s affecting their quality of life.”
*Elizabeth is a false name
“Literally everything” went wrong with Fargate container project say councillors
A failed hospitality scheme which led to the loss of £500,000 of public money came under intense criticism from councillors last night.
Members of the audit committee on the controversial Fargate container project have criticised a “lack of any context” around a damning report into the project’s failures.
The report, which was released last week and found that “project management practices were not followed”, was discussed at the council’s Audit and Standards Committee at Town Hall.
Designed to support post-pandemic recovery in the city centre, the container park was planned as a pop-up food and beverage space.
But after months of delays, internal squabbling and ever-mounting costs, it closed after just five months and was dismantled earlier this year. Individual containers have now been given to local community groups for their own use.
Councillors hoping to find answers on why the project failed so spectacularly were left disappointed when senior management were unable to answer their questions.
Referring to the report, Cllr Simon Clement-Jones (Beauchief and Greenhill, Liberal Democrats), said: “It does lack any context around the politics or the politicians at that time. I think it’s important that we know why this has happened. The decision-making process seems to be entirely opaque.”
Other councillors criticised the project’s lack of paper trail, with deputy council leader Cllr Fran Belbin (Firth Park, Labour and Co-operative) calling risk management procedures around projects like the Fargate containers “insufficient”.
“There really was very little evidence that there were any risk controls in place, or indeed that the proper processes were followed,” she said.
Chair of the audit committee, Cllr Mohammed Mahroof (Graves Park, Liberal Democrats), who lamented that “literally everything” went wrong with the project, said: “There were comments in the report that it was happening all ad-hoc, that a verbal culture was rampant. It does not read well at all.
“And for us to then note this here and agree with recommendations, I think would be doing a disservice to the members of the public that want answers on this.”
Cllr Lewis Chinchen (Stocksbridge and Upper Don, Conservative) cited “governance” as the reason for the project's failure.
He said: “What really stood out to me from reading this report [was] that a project of this nature has so blatantly not followed the governance procedures.”
The report found that “the lack of controls and poor governance arrangements led to poor decision making and ultimately the project did not succeed."
It also drew attention to the internal disorder that has beset Sheffield City Council in recent years owing to an alarming rate of staff turnover.
“We’ve had people from Europe coming to visit”: National Videogame Museum celebrates 5th birthday
The National Videogame Museum, the only museum in the UK dedicated entirely to videogames, turns five today.
The museum first opened on the 24th of November 2018 and contains almost 5,000 video game related items.
This year, the museum has welcomed over 50,000 visitors this year, its highest number yet, with 70% of visitors coming from outside the city.
Christian Beckett, Marketing and Communications Officer at the museum, said: “Over the last year the number of visitors has significantly increased and we’ve become really established in Sheffield, but what’s really amazing is that people are coming specifically to Sheffield to visit us.
“We’ve even had people from Europe coming to visit as well.
“We’re really starting to establish ourselves as a really good attraction, not just for the city but for South Yorkshire in general.”
During the pandemic, the museum was supported by the Arts Council Recovery Fund, its patrons and its governing body, the British Games Institute (BGI).
It also held its first online exhibition, 'The Animal Crossing Diaries', which showed how people stayed connected to each other by playing video games.
Speaking to Museums + Heritage, Co-CEO of the museum Cat Powell said: “Like many cultural organisations, recent times have been challenging for the Museum.
“We survived the impact of the pandemic with the Arts Council England Culture Recovery Fund, plus support from patrons in the videogame industry and community fundraisers.
“It’s humbling to learn that so many people value our work and are willing to step in when needed.”
Looking forward, the National Videogame Museum wants to become accredited by the Museums Association.
Joel Arthur, who used to visit the museum before becoming a member of staff, said: “The fact that we’ve five years old today and can celebrate like this is a really good feeling.
“I want to see us keep growing and continue to expand gaming culture and knowledge around Sheffield and all of Yorkshire.”
The museum offered visitors a £5 discount on all kinds of tickets to mark the occasion.
Sheffield men walk 28-miles to raise money for Defibrillator
A group of Sheffield men have made the 28-mile walk from Crystal Peaks to Mam Tor to raise money for a life-saving defibrillator at the Milestone Pub.
Karl Seery, 41, owner of the Milestone Pub and Fairway Inn, along with friends John Tunstall, 74, retired, and Mark Shaw, 54, who works for Window Doctor UK, raised £1,700 from their all-day hike.
Mr Seery said: "We were talking about fundraising for the defibrillator at the Milestone and one of my friends suggested we walk to Mam Tor."
After completing the walk, The Milestone were contacted by Westfield Health, a not-for-profit health organisation based in the city centre, who offered to pay for the defibrillator. This has now been ordered and should be installed in the next two weeks.
The rest of the money raised will therefore be used to look after it, and staff at the pub will also be given defibrillator training.
The pub is located next to Crystal Peaks shopping centre, which has 11 million annual visitors. Mr Seery added: "There isn't actually a defibrillator outside Crystal Peaks, there's one inside in the security office in case there's an emergency during the day but they haven't got one outside."
The nearest outdoor defibrillator to the pub is located at McDonalds in Drakehouse Retail Park, which is a six minute walk away.
Mr Seery said: "The defibrillator will make a difference to someone if they need it, things have happened at the bus station and in the pub and as soon as you ring the ambulance they ask if there's a defibrillator and now we can say yes.
"It will be outside and accessible 24/7 for the community so they don't have to go running after one."
According to Resuscitation Council UK, for every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%, which is why it is so important to act immediately.
Bob Reville, a cardiac arrest survivor who donated, said: "Great work lads, from someone whose life was saved by one of these 10 years ago."
Mr Reville's cardiac arrest happened suddenly whilst eating in the Oasis food court in Meadowhall in 2013. An off-duty nurse who was sat nearby quickly realised the severity of the situation and called for help, and a defibrillator was thankfully nearby.
He said it was due to CPR being started quickly that he was able to recover from the incident so quickly.
Barnsley fans express frustration after FA Cup expulsion
Barnsley fans have reacted negatively to the club’s surprise removal from the FA Cup, saying there was no excuse for the administrative error which caused it.
On Wednesday, the FA confirmed the Tykes had fielded an ineligible player in their 3-0 First Round replay win against Horsham last Tuesday.
Their expulsion has allowed the non-league side from West Sussex to re-enter the competition.
Sebastian Jones, South Yorkshire Sport podcast co-host and Barnsley season ticket holder, said the outcome was not a good look for Neill Collins’ side.
He said: “It’s quite embarrassing for a club of our stature to be knocked out of such a historical competition in this manner.”
Barnsley won the world’s oldest football tournament back in 1912 but hit headlines again in 2008 after reaching the semi-finals. Their run to the last four included a historic 1-0 win over holders Chelsea.
The FA confirmed the Tykes had breached Rule 103 of the tournament in their replay against Horsham. Players who were not registered for the original match were not allowed to play in the replay.
Mr Jones, 19, added: “The fans are very annoyed at the club and have questioned the board, the directors and the head coach as to why this has happened in the first place.”
The ineligible player has not been named, and the club are not expected to appeal the decision. They took to their website on Wednesday and apologised to fans for the error.
Barnsley fans were not shy to express their annoyance on X.
One fan said of the club that “nothing surprises me anymore.” Another said they “feel like the club is falling apart from the top and spiralling down.”
The decision to expel Barnsley from the tournament sparked controversy among football fans.
Some pointed out Premier League club Liverpool were only fined for fielding an ineligible player during their 2-0 win over MK Dons in the 2019 Carabao Cup.
However, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup are administered by different footballing bodies.
Mr Jones did not think there was a bias for bigger clubs in this instance. He said Liverpool would have likely faced the same punishment as Barnsley had their 2019 offence happened in the FA Cup.
Barnsley and Lincoln prepare for tough Sincil Bank showdown
With just one point separating the teams, Barnsley and Lincoln go head-to-head at Sincil Bank tomorrow in their League One clash.
The Imps are hosting their first home fixture under new manager Michael Skubala, and are in a position to take Barnsley’s position in the play-offs.
The Tykes have two games in hand, but manager Neill Collins refused to be complacent on this matter.
He said: “It feels right now that you're one win away from everyone being really positive and one loss away from everyone being really negative.”
Barnsley’s away day follows a woeful week which saw them eliminated from the FA Cup after they fielded an ineligible player.
Moving forward from this, Barnsley are preparing for a tough fixture in the shadow of Lincoln’s majestic Cathedral.
Skipper Jordan Williams said: “We played [Lincoln] at home [last year] and we lost, so I think we know we're going to be in for a close encounter. But it's about how we step into the game and show what we want to do.”
Lincoln’s four-game winless streak ended midweek with a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient, their seventh triumph of the season.
Their campaign has been varied, most notably for the sheer number of injuries they have suffered among their strikers, and Imps boss Michael Skubula remained cautious at his press conference.
He said: “Barnsley are going well, and you can see by their results in the league that it will be a tough game, so I expect them to come into this strong.”
The game kicks off at 3pm tomorrow at Sincil Bank.
“What is happening with my home?” locals awaiting answers as council proposes more demolitions in Gleadless Valley
Residents were shocked to receive a letter on Tuesday about new demolitions despite receiving no announcement on a timeline for already proposed housing plans.
Sally Pedley, chairperson of the Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association, told us that communication hasn't been great. She wasn't aware of any action around the sites until being sent the letter by a resident, let alone any demolitions.
The 2 sites that have been proposed for demolition are former residential homes Paddock Hill and Castelayn. No news has been given on when work might begin on the housing work already identified in the Gleadless Valley Masterplan.
The Gleadless Valley Masterplan has been an ongoing process since 2017, and focuses on regenerating the area through shared and green spaces, housing, employment and skills and services and facilities.
Mrs Pedley said: "I had three young mums come to our general meeting and one of them asked, well, what's happening with my home? I don't want to spend over 600 pound on carpets to get a letter the week after telling me you're going to demolish it. People just don't know what to do."
Councillor for Gleadless Valley, Paul Turpin said: "It's been a long, slow and arduous process, 6 years in and and all we have is a booklet"
He explained that inflation in the construction industry has sent prices wild and that there isn't enough money in the initial budget to deliver what was intended.
These recent proposals are taking advantage of a fund to develop brownfield sites and there is a desire to use them to get the masterplan off the ground.
He told us that there is a strong desire to have council housing on the site but it might end up being social housing provided by a housing association due to the council's budget situation.
Cllr Turpin said: "A lot of time has been spent coming up with this really detailed plan that now is really up in the air so there's a lot of talk about prioritising what can be done first."
Sheffield Wire has reached out to the council for comment.
For more information from the Gleadless Valley Regeneration team visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1274820053224440