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Activism and Social Change - now recruiting
Course starts Oct 2010
A radical multi-disciplinary course, MA in Activism and Social Change at the University of Leeds brings together the worlds of academia and social struggle. It is run by academics working and researching with a variety of campaigns, social movement organisations and communities struggling against social and ecological injustice, and for a more equal, just society.
The approach engages students in a questioning of the fairness and sustainability of the current capitalist world order and explores empowering ideas and examples of how to challenge the status quo. The course is aimed at exploring possible alternatives based on autonomy and common(s). It offers an introduction to ideas in radical and transformatory social theories and strategies, global social movement struggles with particular reference to anti-capitalism and anti-imperialism, grounding in participatory action research methods relevant to campaigning and social change, contemporary political debates about critical challenges and how to respond.
There are guest lectures and workshops by journalists, campaigners, researchers and activists and opportunities to engage in action research projects with a variety of social struggles. This year Prof John Holloway, internationally renowned author on autonomist Marxist theory and social movements will be a visiting professor in the course.
For more information, see: www.activismsocialchange.org.uk
Contact email: geo-tpg-enq@leeds.ac.uk or ring 0113 3436639
LGBT Police
July 2010 (deadline 10 Sept)
South Yorkshire Police are making an effort to get more in contact with people from varied backgrounds and cultures. There is an invitation to join their LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender) Independent Advisory Group. If you are interested, call 01226 772807 or see website www.southyorks.gov.uk
Interested in buses, trains and travel in the area?
July 2010
The transport authority (South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority) needs a member of the public to sit on its standards committee. It involves maintaining standards and hearing complaints. Phone for an application form and more details: 01226 772816, closing date 6 Aug 2010.
Looking for new offices in Sheffield city centre?
July 2010
The Circle (Voluntary Action Sheffield's building) currently has an office space available to rent, which is open to any voluntary and community organisation. Tenants benefit from a number of benefits such as reception service, cleaning, IT support and 24 hour access.
Details from Del Brindle, Facilities & Building Manager – d.brindle@thecirclesheffield.org.uk
Millhouses needs more supermarket shelves
July 2010
Sainsburys on Archer Road, Millhouses, and Tesco on Abbeydale Road look likely to be enlarged, despite hundreds of opposition petition signatures. Lucky shoppers will get expanded car parks and shopping space.
The proposed loss of trees, of jobs in local small businesses (London Road and Woodseats have loads of empty shops), reduced air quality (Millhouses has air pollutants 25% above the limits) and the inevitable extra traffic are a bonus. Every little helps.
Sheffield Racial Equality Council (SREC) moves and bids.
July 2010
SREC has recently moved from the Wicker to larger premises at the old BNDFC office, Speedicut Works, Harleston Street S4 7QB, just off Carlisle Street. It has also had to bid to continue its work, with Sheffield City Council offering only a third of the funds previously allocated. The organisation has an impressive 40 year track record for providing an excellent specialist anti-racial discrimination casework service.
Website: www.sheffieldrec.co.uk
Are you friendly and welcoming?
June/July 2010
New Roots in Burngreave is seeking a voluntary helper in a very unique place. It's a volunteer-run shop/cafe, vegetarian/vegan, with fair trade stuff, plants and cards, but it's also an information centre ... a kind of informal community centre. Customers and volunteers come from a diverse range of cultures, reflecting the multi-cultural nature of the area. The place has an open door policy, so some customers call in to eat, others just for a supportive chat. This can be challenging but rewarding work.
The work may involve the following, but if you are not experienced in all these areas don't worry, probably more important than skills is having a helpful and friendly attitude, and enjoying being with people of different cultures. Welcoming customersServing Handling cashBasic food preparationWashing and tidyingBeing available at some time between 11.15am-3.45pm
As well as English speakers, volunteers are also welcome who are improving their English skills.
An interest in healthy eating, ethical shopping, vegetarian/vegan food would be good. So would willingness to befriend and support people in need. But most of all you need to see the place, you'll know straight away if you can fit in, help and enjoy it.
It's at 86 Spital Hill, Burngreave, Sheffield S4 7LG.
(75, 76 buses etc.) Tel. Sheff 2700972
Website: www.newroots.org.uk
Seen Sheffield's new Development Framework?
June 2010
Your chance to comment on Sheffield's new Development Framework is from 21st June to 30th July, when the draft policies and sites document, proposals map and sustainability appraisals will be available at online and at Library branches and First Points. Quick! Democracy available now!
There will also be a half-day event at Ponds Forge on Friday 25th June 9.30am for representatives of organisations - email sdf@sheffield.gov.uk by 16th June to register. There is also a draft Supplementary Planning Document "Designing for Environmental Sustainability" which comments are sought on, at the same time.
www.sheffield.gov.uk/sdfconsult
Short course: Adjust to life in the UK
2010
Your Life – Your Choice (YL–YC) is a free, short programme for refugees and asylum seekers to help adjust to life in the UK. It's run by People United Against Crime (PUAC) with various community groups, to promote community cohesion and inform refugees of services available. The course is one morning a week (10am - 12) for six weeks. It can be tailored to meet individual or group needs, and organisations and public sector bodies are invited to come and talk about their services.
For more info contact Emma Kenny-Levick tel Sheff 2758735.
Launchpad launched!
May 2010
Launchpad is a new cafe project running in Burngreave Road. An outreach project aiming to provide a friendly place for people less integrated into society, including refugees and asylum seekers. Some learning disabled adults help to prepare and serve the food.
The food is always freshly cooked using healthy ingredients, many locally sourced. Prices are kept as low as possible. For example, a two-course cooked lunch costs £3, sandwiches from £1.20, tea and coffee 50p. Omelettes, jacket potatoes and hot/cold sandwiches are available all the time. The cooked meal of the day is available from 12 till 1.30. Customers are welcome to stay for as long as they like, even if they only buy a cup of tea!
Situated within the Vestry Hall on Burngreave Road, Sheffield and open from 9 till 3. Please tell people about it, especially the ones who would most benefit, such as newcomers to our country, the elderly, recovering mental health patients, single parents and the disabled (there is a wheelchair friendly lift). And do pop in yourself!
Musicians - Rotherham calling!
News July, for event in Sept 2010
Local musicians are called for by Rotherham's One Town One Community Diversity Festival, 11th and 12th Sept at Clifton Park. Anyone with musical talent is invited to get in touch quickly, to ask if they can be included in the line-up. Phone 07984 936436 or email info@df.org.uk
Website: www.diversityfestival.org.uk (Note at the time of writing this website is being updated, it may still refer to 2009)
Local podcast out now
24 July 2010
The second Sheffield Indymedia Radio Show is now online at http://sheffield.indymedia.org.uk/2010/07/456107.html. It can be heard on the website, or right-click and select "Save Link" to download as MP3. It covers a lot of current issues, and even a little chat from Bob of Alt-Sheff.
Sainsburys and Fletchers megastore for Wadsley Bridge?
July 2010
A brief general public viewing between 16 and 17 July 2010 was the chance for a preview of preliminary plans by Sainsburys and Fletchers for the land at Fletchers bakery site off Claywheels Lane. Too bad if you weren't invited to the invitation-only preview evening on Thursday to ask questions.
Wadsley bridge can look forward to a new 50,000 sq ft Sainsburys megastore and restaurant (and recycling area aww, bless 'em). 400 full and part-time jobs, 425 car parking spaces and so much congestion for this busy area that a new road junction is needed to Claywheels Lane from Penistone Road.
Contact Jack Loy on 0113 246 9243 or email jack.loy@localdialogue.com
Local Dialogue is a Leeds-based company that specialises in public opinion management for organisations that have tricky "developments" to force through. Local Dialogue website
GIST Lab moves into the Workstation
July 2010
The GIST Foundation is a charitable organisation founded by Jag Gill. It supports grassroots technology innovation, sharing ideas and know-how with the public, academic and third sectors, working on radical projects of social and economic value. Moving into the Showroom Workstation is a great move for GIST which produces GIST Magazine, formerly known as GeekUp. It is keen to stress that the organisation is not just for techie geeks. Monthly Social Media Surgeries are held for local, voluntary and community sector groups, and it welcomes newcomers.
For more information: http://thegisthub.net
Can you help with bikes?
July 2010
There are many young people in Sheffield who would love to cycle, but have no money to buy food, let alone a bike. These are destitute asylum seekers - many of them young men stuck here with no money, without permission to work, frightened of being deported back home to the dangerous situation from which they have fled, and being denied support or housing from the Government. They get by with help from friends or from ASSIST, an organisation presently helping 70 of these would-be refugees with £20 per week. Many of the 2000 or more in this situation live on the street at least part of the time. Even those who have managed to get Section 4 support (for those willing to risk future deportation when the authorities decide it is safe to return them) only get food vouchers, not money for transport. For them the possession of a bike brings freedom to roam at least, a tremendous difference to their sense of well being. They have just a little more control over their lives.
So here comes the crunch - although ASSIST has many volunteers, they are fully stretched keeping the project going with a fundraising team; a team organising accommodation mainly with volunteer hosts; a team trying to help people with thier cases when legal help is very difficult to access; and teams doing other tasks. No one has the time to try and organise cheap second hand bikes so this is an appeal to keen cyclists for help. Would you like to make life more bearable for these people? To organise getting bikes recovered from skips or cheap secondhand, and then offer these to destitute asylum seekers?
If anyone is moved to help in this way they would be very glad to hear from you. Tel Sheff 2585715 or email rmspooner@btopenworld.com
CADOS - Campaign against the Deportation of Odette Sefuko
Campaign launched 14 July 2010
Campaign to support Sheffield resident Odette Sefuko, who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in fear of her life but the Home Office refuses to accept is Congolese! They want to send her back to Uganda, where she might face prison, torture or death. Please help Odette in her campaign to stay. Full info at CADOS Facebook page
Car pollution kills - in Sheffield
June 2010
Air quality in the east of Sheffield around the M1 motorway is at shockingly poor levels, a new report confirms. The East End Quality of Life Initiative (EEQOL) an innovative, community led project is campaigning about this issue. Follow links from their website to see the report.
EEQOL website
Got a spare building?
May/June 2010
Sheffield Social Centre is a group with a mission. They are going to create a libertarian centre in Sheffield. That means space to socialise, run projects, meet and offer resources, run in a non-hierarchical DIY way. It's an idea that's catching on in many cities now.
So ... they need a building. If you've got any ideas, seen somewhere empty, for rent, for sale, or even if you've got somewhere not being used, large or small they would be interested to hear from you.
Contact through the website http://sheffieldsocialcentre.org.uk
REDD and destroy
2011 Urgent and ongoing danger
If you haven't heard of REDD that's not surprising, but perhaps you need to. It's an approach to climate change promoted by polluting corporations, northern governments and economists - and it's likely to destroy more than ever.
This is a request for urgent solidarity by signing a statement rejecting schemes for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). The REDD Statement draws attention to the dangers including land grabs and the inclusion of REDD in the carbon market.
Please click on the link and read the document, sign and publicise it further. (It starts off a bit technical but it does explain things). Seizing and destroying the communities in the rainforests cannot be the solution. Thanks for reading.
www.durbanclimatejustice.org
Get cycling with Pedal Peak District
May 2010
A project has been launched to get thousands of residents and visitors to the Peak District cycling more often. Pedal Peak District will encourage people who don't currently cycle, or do so only occasionally, to ride a bike in the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District National Park countryside. Once residents or visitors have experienced cycling in the national park for themselves they will be supported to make riding a bike a regular part of their lives by signing up to a website that offers them cycling tips, information and maps of cycling routes, small, manageable cycling goals and prizes for completing them. It also shows the amount of calories burned and other health benefits of bike rides.
They particularly want to encourage people who wouldn't normally think of going cycling. To help them they are running bike confidence, safety and maintenance courses and also offering cycle hire centres.
The national park has 58 miles of traffic free, easy going cycling routes plus many miles of quiet country lanes. The Pedal Peak District project also includes plans to create a new cycling route from Bakewell to Buxton. This will involve re-opening four former railway tunnels that have been closed to the public since the 1960s. Most of the £2.25 million funding will be used to construct the new route, which it is hoped will open in spring 2011. Pedal Peak District is run by the Peak District National Park Authority and funded by the Department of Transport through Cycling England.
Everyone who signs up to the Pedal Peak District website and completes a short survey will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win a bike worth £300. Registration cards can also be completed at the Peak District National Park Authority's cycle hire centres at Parsley Hay, Ashbourne and the Upper Derwent Valley, or any national park visitor centre.
Pedal Peak District website
Directions for the cycle hire centres
