Welcome to Shine A Light On

Image by Christian Uche Bagnall

Welcome to Shine A Light On
- a blog designated for news, events and other goings-on in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. 

We hope to give you a good insight into life in the city and provide a source of information for what is going on around you (if you're already here).

Our writers come from a range of different backgrounds, both locally and internationally with a wide variety of interests. 

If you have any comments or queries, please feel to get in touch.

Enjoy,

Laura Thompson

 

A day at Sheffield Greentop Youth Circus

Sudden screams are followed by roars of laughter, racing trainers skip on the wooden floor and singing games mix together with chatter. I feel I'm back at my school playground until Lydia, a tiny eight year-old, stumbles towards me high on her stilts and insists I try the spinning plates. Around us, kids ride the unicycle, swing the hula-hoop and juggle. We are at the Sheffield Greentop Youth Circus, a place where learning has never been as fun.

The Greentop Youth Circus opened in 1995 to keep children off the streets in the area of Grimesthorpe, one of the most deprived neighbourhoods of Sheffield. Almost 18 years later, over 6,000 children from all backgrounds participate in the numerous activities the youth circus organises each year in Sheffield.

As Youth circus tutor Trudi Patient explains to me, in the youth circus diversity is a given and integration one of its defining features: “A lot of parents have said that their children wouldn't necessarily be with other children from different backgrounds... It is quite interesting, everybody gets on”, she assures me.

We have agreed to meet each other at a café before I attend two of the youth sessions she runs in Grimesthorpe circus centre and Meersbrook church.

As I listen to her, my curiosity grows. First I ask how are the sessions organised and to my surprise she says that, although there is a basic structure, it is entirely up to the children which skill they want to practice each day.

All right, I think to myself- there is more improvisation than planning in these classes but surely they must have something ready for the Christmas show...

“The show? They are still discussing it”, answers Trudi. “It is completely run by the children. They choose the theme, the music, whether they want to get up in stage, be in charge of the lights or just welcome people at the door.”

“And how many children are there in each group?”, I ask next, hoping to get a straightforward answer.

“Roughly 18 in each session, but we never know. The circus is open access, anybody can walk in off the street and join”, she smiles.

To me, this is completely new. All I did as a child was going to ballet, judo and swimming lessons and, although they were fun, I had to follow a strict set of rules to progress.

I am mesmerized by this new approach to teaching but also a bit sceptical. How can the kids actually learn something under a “we-set-the-rules” philosophy?

The 'invisible benefits' of the circus

Many parents watch their kids play with the circus equipment at Meersbrook church, where a beginners youth session takes place every Wednesday evening.

I sit with them at the end of the room and share the joy of seeing “children being children”, as Pete Bird, a father of two comments. “The circus is a place where kids can be kids again... They get a lot of pressure nowadays. They have to be in school for many hours and perform well. We grade them in almost everything they do and encourage them to be competitive. It is is sometimes too much for them”.

The youth circus sessions are open to children and youngsters from 5 to 18 years-old. They can learn a range of circus skills including juggling, diabolo, plate spinning, stilts, unicycle or tightrope but the circus also has “invisible benefits” for them, as Trudi describes them.

“There are children who are not really good at sports, they're not really good at group games or anything like that and it is wonderful to see how they blossom at the circus. They don't realise it, but they are growing in many ways. They learn how to be persistent, how to engage in group activities, they do some physical activity, they are more creative... and they are having fun!”, she adds with a smile.

An instructive fun day

“If you want to be a clown I'll teach you”, says seven year-old Tulip holding a hulla-hoop.

“Isn't it too hard to learn?”, I ask.

“Well... Sometimes it is easy and you can learn quite fast and then you go and do the hard stuff”, she says with an encouraging smile.

Like her, many children come buzzing around me like flies asking questions and encouraging me to try things.

I stand up and try a bit of hulla-hooping with her. Then, eight year-old Lydia comes on her stilts and insists on teaching me how to spin a plate. As I slowly manage to keep it dancing on top of the stick, I grin from ear to ear, thinking about the most important thing that the youth circus teaches us a wider lesson: that it can be possible to learn by simply having fun.

by Carlota Calderon

Bumper Christmas Market at Kelham Island for anniversary year

A trio of anniversaries put on the pressure for this year's Victorian Christmas Market at Kelham Island Museum to be the best ever. Last year the market drew in an incredible 16,000 visitors over two days, but the event's organisers were not content to rest on their laurels, adding in even more stalls and activities for visitors keen to get a bit Christmassy at the beginning of Advent.

This year Kelham Island Museum celebrated its 30th anniversary, and also the 20th anniversary of its increasingly popular Christmas Market. However for a Victorian-themed event it was the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens's birth that really set the mood for the event. The major new attraction to the market this year was the 'Dickensian Emporium' quarter located in Kelham Square, an addition that managed to squeeze in an incredible 50 new stalls. Not only this, but as usual all stall-holders were turned out in Victorian-dress, and 'Dickensian Folk' perused the market alongside the public.

The market aims to spread a bit of Christmas cheer each year with a whole host of activities to get visitors in a festive mood. This year children were given the chance to meet Santa at 'Santa HQ' and watch Punch and Judy shows, there were traditional craft and skills demonstrations, and also frequent main stage performances by local brass bands and choirs, who filled the air with classic Christmas music.

It is however the market itself, with its countless stalls stretching in and around the museum, that is always the main attraction for visitors. Christmas gift shopping is made easy with so much variety, and many products are handmade locally by the stall-holders themselves. One such stall-holder is Jill Govier, a local woman whose business 'Touchy Feely Textiles' is going from strength to strength.

Jill set up her business in 2010 and runs stalls at various different fairs and markets. Her passion is "remodelling and recycling gorgeous old bits and bobs" and making handmade textile pieces from them, putting famous quotes or charming messages on them. This year Jill had a stall at Kelham Island's Christmas Market and for her it's the perfect way to raise awareness of her brand:

"From a stall-holder's point of view the Christmas market was a brilliant opportunity to meet my customers face to face. I work very much on my own for lots of the time, and although supplying shops with my things is good from a business point of view it means I don't get much customer contact\".

Having a presence at markets and fairs like Kelham Island's isn't just important for boosting the Christmas sales of Touchy Feely Textiles; it also indirectly strengthens the brand through the feedback Jill receives.

"Market stalls are great for this! I get a kick when I see people smiling about something when they've just read some of my quotes. I also take on board any criticism and suggestions that arise."

However Touchy Feely Textiles is just one of many small businesses exhibiting at Kelham Island's Christmas Market and this really highlights the hugely positive impact the event can have for local craftspeople. Just being part of the event gets them exposure, whether that's from the promotional work the museum does to encourage visitors or its Twitter feed linking to their websites, and then when the big weekend finally does roll around, there are thousands of potential customers constantly walking past your stall to entice.

by Alex Moore

Graduates find an opening in China

“Free accommodation, free health care and working 12-20 working hours a week would be a dream job in the UK, the US or any country for that matter.” Lawrence Phillips said, a 26 years old English teacher living in China for four years said.

Teaching English as a foreign language in China has become a new choice for graduates in the UK.

With more people learning English in China, there are plenty of opportunities to teach English there. Hundreds of graduates in UK are sent to China to teach English in colleges or high schools.

Choose China as a target

A survey by High Fliers Research in 2012 found that, 42% of students in the UK made applications for a graduate job by the end of October in their final year, while 61% had applied by the end of February, compared with 59% last year.

Because of mounting competition to find a well-paid job in the economic downturn, some graduates choose China for their future plan. Rather than just be a tourist they want to fully experience another culture and become a part of a different community.

Besides experiencing a different culture and traveling, most of young people think China is a good chance to enhance their employment prospects. The hungry job market of language teachers in China was what initially attracted them to the country.

Amy Wright, a third year undergraduate in Sociology and Social Policy of Sheffield University is planning on teaching in China next year. “I want to visit somewhere that seems very different from what I'm used to. I'm also really interested in learning Mandarin, which seems a useful skill to have when looking for a job.”

“I find teaching English really rewarding - English is not something I find difficult, so it is quite fun to teach, and think of creative ways to get students talking in Englis,” Evelyn Cooper said. She is an undergraduate in Music, has travelled to China twice and plans to teach there after graduation.

Sinead Hegarty, studying English Literature, stayed in China for a year in the town of Tianshui in Gansu province. She wants to return to China to teach English again. “After living there for a year I realized how friendly the Chinese people are. The students I taught were very polite and well behaved and became good friends of mine.”

An exciting opportunity for young

A 72-year-old leader of Teach English in China (TEIC), Professor Phil Thomas, who has given law classes in China, is now fixed on introducing UK graduates to teach in China after his retirement.

“It’s such an exciting opportunity for young people to go there, in terms of global experience, learning Mandarin, seeing a different culture, and showing international solidarity."

"It’s a chance to get young people together and give British graduates exposure to China. Chinese love Europe and they are fascinated by the music, the culture, the fashion here. So both parties benefit neutrally. This is why I do it.”

TEIC is a programme dedicated to sending qualified applicants to China. It is run in conjunction with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), a not for profit wing of the Ministry of Education, Beijing. TEIC are recruiting new teachers every year and they place most teachers twice, in August and February.

TEIC is an international work-travel programme with a difference. Neither a degree nor a second language is required for a course and no extra training is required.

TEIC and CEAIE have responded to this requirement by offering free TEFL training. It follows the Ministry's own training programme. The 60 hour course is undertaken on line in the UK prior to departure.

A dream job or a "free-ticket"

“Foreigners are treated very well in China and often get benefits they might not otherwise receive in their own country. Free accommodation, free health care and working 12-20 working hours a week would be a dream job in the UK, the US or any country for that matter. China is extremely welcoming to foreigners and has high regard for what they can offer students who hope to improve their English.”

Lawrence Phillips, a 26-year-old English teacher, has lived in China for four years. When he studied Multimedia in the University of Chester, a company offered him a job travelling to different events and countries as a reporter.

The experience gave him a lot of confidence in English ability and then he moved to China, “although I initially worked as a journalist, I swapped to become a teacher because I believed it could provide better for my family and also because I enjoy helping others. Just it’s a good job for a foreigner in China and it’s well-suited to my character.”

The downside is many foreigners treat China as a free-ticket to an easy life and become too comfortable with the new lifestyle that they soon realize they will no longer be able to fit in back home. For this reason many foreigners stay in China for many years but perhaps do not really develop a strong connection with China or the Chinese culture. So the benefits that are awarded to foreigners teaching in China are also a recipe for success if the individuals are not able to keep themselves grounded. Also because China does not really have a good system to weed out the “free-loaders”, many schools tolerate or put up with behaviour from foreign teachers that is highly out of order.

Voice from Chinese students

China may be the largest and most developed economy among non-English speaking countries. English has been a compulsory subject for primary school children in China since 2001. The government takes the view that a command of the English language is a prerequisite for China to compete in the global economy, and thus English becomes a required subject of academics and profession, which leads to a relentless desire for education in this country.

For teaching English, native English-speaker teachers have different duties with local teachers in China. The former focuses more on speaking and listening, while the later has to help students more in examinations.

Yashan, a Chinese girl, whose major was English in undergraduate, now studies in the UK. “During my college time, I was taught by three foreign teachers. One professor was easy-going and the most considerate. He encouraged us to speak out no matter whether it is native or not."

"But one young teacher had a bad reputation. He was single and charming but irresponsible. He dated several girls at one period and even had sexual relationship with students. Such behaviour was not allowed in Chinese universities. Thus he was fired.”

by Naqing Qiu

Christmas fayre raises funds for animal rescue

The 8th annual fayre was held at the RSPCA (Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Sheffield Animal Centre on Saturday morning to allow people to enjoy shopping while funding local animals’ aid. 

This year’s Christmas Fayre had the largest number of stalls (more than 20) and the widest range of goods (more than 30 kinds)in the history of the Sheffield branch of the RSPCA. Goods on sale included books, cakes, crafts, bric-a-brac, pet supplies and refreshments for children and adults alike. There were also lectures, informal discussions, video showings and indoor games which are closely involved with animal protection and adoption. Participants were free to view animals there and meet some of the staff working at the centre.

About 200 people attended the event and it raised £2201.90, which is a new high in the branch’s record. This result is so encouraging that most volunteer trustees of the branch say they will continue to run Christmas Fayre in future years.

A volunteer of the Fayre tried to explain the reasons for this success: “This may be because of the increasing awareness of animal protection, the expanding influence of our branch and the improvement of publicity.”

“I love this event!” said Keith Towler, a fan of the Christmas Fayre, “It is a shopper’s paradise and a real recreation.”

“The event gives me an opportunity to make friends who hold the same passion as me to care for animals,” said David Miller, another animal defender.

Maria Swift, a new participant added: “I cannot wait to join this activity as soon as I heard it from one of my friends…because I think it necessary to support animal re-homing.”

The Sheffield branch of the RSPCA is completely self-funding, operating independently of the National RSPCA, the government and local authority. This means it has to pay for its activities through fund raising, donations and legacies.

“We used to depend on donations to prop up rescue efforts, but donators are usually unstable and limited. Caring for animals still lays heavy financial burdens on us. The Christmas Fayre can be a good solution to increase revenue by selling popular pre-Christmas goods,” said Louise Wilcockson, a staff in the RSPCA Sheffield branch.

However, the minority holds the view that funds raised from Christmas Fayrecan hardly cover its daily operational expenditure of more than £2000 over a long period of time.

“The Christmas Fayre cannot be the best solution to this problem, but it will not be the last one,” pointed out by Jane Hanna, “ Our E-bay shopping may be an alternative to raise funds needed.”

by Jiawen Zhou

100 tubs of ice cream draws crowds of local student

Yesterday students at Endcliffe student village were treated to a delivery of 100 tubs of Ben and Jerry's ice cream as a reward for their efforts in a quiz on climate change.

Students were able to gather, first-come, first-served, at The Edge Dining Room to queue for a tub of one of several flavours of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. The unusual event was all part of the Student Switch Off campaign's efforts to get students in halls of residence across the country to try and reduce their energy consumption. It held a competition in November between 54 different universities across the UK to find out which student accommodation could get the most students taking a quiz on climate change, and a total of over 10,000 students took part. The winning three universities, Sheffield, Cardiff and Cambridge, were each treated to a large delivery of ice cream as their prize.

Last year Sheffield's students managed to reduce their energy consumption by 6.5%, and the Student Switch Off campaign is keen to improve this figure this year. However another cause was promoted at the event too, as Ben and Jerry's handed out leaflets calling for better living conditions for European cows. The company said its self-commissioned research into the dairy industry found widespread health issues in cows, cramped cattle housing and other problems in European farms. It's backing the Supporting Better Dairy campaign, and was keen to raise awareness among students.

Student reaction to the event was overwhelmingly positive. Georgia, an Endcliffe resident, said that she thought it was a great reward for the energy-saving efforts of the students and that she was pleased with the collaboration with Ben and Jerry's:

"I think it's good that they're partnering with Ben and Jerry's. They're an ethical company."

Adam, another student, was really impressed by the large turn-out to the event, saying that "it's great so many people got involved with this".

The Student Switch Off campaign continues to run and can be found at Student Switch Off. The Supporting Better Dairy campaign website enables visitors to sign a petition the organisation will send to the EU Commissioner. It can be accessed at Supporting Better Dairy.

by Alex Moore

Mixed in Sheffield provide new spaces for Sheffield talent

An abandoned warehouse in the heart of Sheffield has been converted into a space for exhibiting urban music by a company dedicated to promoting local talent.

Hope Works is the latest initiative by Sheffield company ‘Mixed in Sheffield’ to promote the city’s best in musical talent. The warehouse, that sits just off Effingham Road, has been transformed by MIS, with its once grey walls now full of commissioned local graffiti art. The room was filled with speakers, with multiple MIS DJ’s on the turntables throughout the night playing to the sell out crowd.

At the event, MIS founder and local DJ, Liam O’Shea, spoke in frank terms about how his company was born:

“I was in a bad place in my life. I felt low and isolated. I am an artist myself,and I was burned out and basically as I look back now, in a depressed state. I wanted to reach out and connect with people around me, and importantly do something of worth my time.”

“I had spent ages trying to be a success myself, but it had left me in pieces. I turned my attention to doing things for other people, and beyond that, doing things that actually mean something and are not ego driven....they are concept driven statements....like an art project that interacts with my environment...the people and the city I live in.I wanted to go beyond myself and find a new model for making music work in Sheffield....that idea was a community based, multidisciplinary, all encompassing approach to music events...Mixed In Sheffield.”

“It was inspired ultimately by my belief that we can go further as a bigger whole, that what Sheffield had lacked in my time here was cohesion and cooperation as an artistic and musical community. Tolerance and acceptance, as well as taking the time to appreciate other people's styles, to help each other more and celebrate each others work more, rather than constantly banging on about our own selfish ambitions.Thats not to discourage ambition at all! Just to temper it with the idea of balance.”

After these internal revelations, Mr O’Shea put his passion for music and knowledge of the local area together and set about putting his thoughts into action:

“I set out to chart the electronic landscape of the city. I've been here since 1991, first as a student at the university, then I stayed on. Ever since I came here I immersed myself into the Sheffield music scene. I began in bands but in about 93, I started playing electronic music in various places. I've amassed so many friends because I've always been interested in new forms of electronic music.”

“I began programming in the early 90's and set up my own studio which has grown into a sizeable studio which is now MIS HQ.The place I record and master records for Mixed In Sheffield and other projects.”

“So it began by me researching who does what and where. I already knew a lot of people but I went on a mission to find as many as I could.The result was a mix tape of 41 Sheffield artists from Oris J to Toddla T. I launched the project with a massive 3 room event at Yellow Arch Studios in early 2009 with a cross section of Sheffield's artists playing.lots of live bands as well as electronic artists . I set up a blog to support the project and I also made thousands of cd's with the mix on and gave them away....it was paid for by the event and also a bit of help I got from Creative Sheffield. They saw the value in the project,which was clearly from the outset a positive statement of strength through unity.”

Since then MIS has released tracks and remixes of some of the area’s biggest names, such as Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) and Toddla T. The success doesn’t stop there either. The company runs a project each year that makes a free album with artists from all over Sheffield collaborating on one release. The project has been so successful each time, that it’s now on it’s third year. Mr O’Shea explained:

“The 3rd album was olympic themed. Taking the number of disciplines in the London olympics, 39, as the theme. (there i got 39 of sheffield's best electronic producers to remix 39 of our best bands....with 39 separate pieces of cover art...each one by a different Sheffield creative.”

“I had 10 000 cd's made as samplers which i've given away...nearly...there are a few left going into Shops in Sheffield town center over Christmas...look out for one. The full albums are always available from the website for free. These albums are designed to be free and to publicise our artists here in Sheffield.”

Including national events, like the Olympics, shows a canny sense of business knowledge and clear understanding of how to use national interests to promote your local artists. Mr O’Shea’s background in the local area and his work as an artist means he can provide local talent with strong and useful promotion whilst his deep understanding of Sheffield musical culture means he can design nights like tonight, that speak to Sheffield’s music fans.

If you want to get more information about Hope Works or any other of MIS’s upcoming events, check out their blog atwww.mixedinsheffield.co.uk.

by Matthew Gee

Sheffield Christmas market is ‘not quite there yet’

This year's Christmas market, which has occupied Fargate in Sheffield city centre for the past two weeks, has received mixed reviews. 

After a boom in sales at the Christmas Light Switch-On, traders at the market have felt a dramatic drop in business as the event has gone on. From the 22 stalls available for hire this year, there are still two cabins unused and boarded up.

General information

• Sheffield Christmas market will be open until 24th December
• The market is open daily from 10am to 6pm (8pm on Wednesdays)
• This year's market includes a Moroccan market where you can find handmade goods from Marrakesh

With the market taking place on Sheffield's main high street, the traders have shared the traffic with the chain stores, but there is concern among the cabins that people are browsing, but not buying.

Fayaz Khan runs a jewellery and accessory cabin, which he has taken to Manchester and Birmingham Christmas markets in the past. Fayaz understands that Sheffield city centre is a smaller space than that of Manchester and Birmingham, but the lack of shoppers is causing concern. “Tryers are putting the hats on and looking in the mirror, but aren't spending,” he said.

Lewis Ayres, who runs a Christmas stocking cabin with his brother Dean, is also new to Sheffield's market. “Weekdays are no good”, Lewis said, “by the time the weekend comes, you make your money back, but then the week comes again and it's gone.”

One of the most popular stalls for the Sheffield market is the Cadbury's hot chocolate with Bailey’s cabin. Sarah Buttery who runs the cabin said “it is good that we've got something like this in Sheffield, because York and Leeds have them.” Compared to the bigger markets, however, she said, “it [Sheffield Christmas market] is just not quite there yet.”

Julie Wilson, Trade Co-ordinator and Consultant for Sheffield City Council, signed a three-year contract with the council, which means she will manage the Christmas markets until Christmas 2014. Julie said “we're hoping to just genetically grow rather than run before you can walk.”

However, some members of the public are disappointed with the extent of this year's market compared to previous years.  

Brandon Egley, Marketing Executive for GO Outdoors, is unimpressed by the size of this year's market. “There seems to be less of everything; less stalls, less food outlets,” he said. “It's not really a destination this year. It's a few stalls on Fargate and I can't imagine many people going out of their way to give it time.”

Student at The University of Sheffield, Carlota Calderon, said “it misses the Christmas spirit. I would like to hear some Christmas carols playing, some more colourful lighting and some ornaments in the stalls, like Christmas baubles or nativities.”

Julie confirmed that last year's market was considerably smaller, but said that “the year before, it was all in the Peace Gardens and it was a lot bigger. They had an ice skating rink and various food stalls, but it was a very bad winter with lots of snow and it wasn't commercially viable.” The market lost money in 2010 and was unable to bring the additional features back for 2012.

Christmas markets are becoming a huge feature for many cities across the country and they are relied upon more and more for unique Christmas gifts. “It's [the Sheffield Christmas market] always one of the best things about December,” said Brandon. “With all the markets we have over the year, I really thought Sheffield had embraced that sort of culture – but sadly it just hasn't happened.”

Julie understands that the market is not as successful as it could be, but her aim for the next two years is to learn from this year's flaws and do what she can to improve it.

by Laura Thompson

"Show them there's another way to live a life": Fostering in Sheffield

The Quaker Meeting House in Sheffield is tucked down a quiet side street by the cathedral. Tonight it's dark early, with a biting chill in the air. But still the turnout is good. Couples and individuals have braved the cold to come to gather information. They are greeted at the door, asked to sign in and collect their complimentary hot drink. Everyone eyes each other up over the rims of their coffees and teas, making small talk where possible. The group here is a diverse mix of couples, singles, ethnicities and ages. But they're all here for the same reason; they want to learn more about taking in a child in need.

Katie Day, the fostering Team Manager at Sheffield City Council welcomes everyone. She introduces the others from the team who join her, a mix of social workers and council members. Then they're introduced to the people they want to hear from. The people who are already doing it. Who are foster carers, and can relay the reality of the experience. Between the women present there is over 40 years' experience in foster caring and each carer has a blend of birth children and foster children at home. Some have even adopted. One woman is glowing from having finalised an adoption just the day before.

Katie talks to the group to explain what the term 'foster children' actually means. "Children who can't live with their own families for whatever reason". And it is her and her team who will find those children who are unable to live with their own families a family to take them in. What is explained to the diverse audience is that there is many kinds of fostering they can get involved in and that they're looking for many kinds of foster carers to meet these needs. Most of all they want people who can provide consistency, routine, good supervision, holidays, schooling and opportunities for the child(ren) to fulfil their potential. They want children to feel safe in their foster homes in a way that they may not have at their parents' home.

Facts about fostering

• There is no such thing as a typical foster carer you may be single, married, divorced or living with a partner and you may rent or own your own home. The main requirement is that you are interested in providing stability and support to vulnerable young people so that they can make positive changes to avoid offending in the future. In addition you will need to be over the age of 21, have a bedroom for the young person and at least one adult will need to be available throughout the day
• Carers who are able to take sibling pairs or groups are always in demand
• There are no constraints on matching ethnicities and religions. As long as you are prepared to honour the heritage of the individual child, that is the most important thing
• There are many kinds of fostering, ranging from short care support to long term care

She tells them about one child who, at 8 years old, was beside herself with excitement when her foster carers took her to her first ever party. Another story introduces them to a little boy who was delighted to be given his own toothbrush for the first time. It becomes clear that some of the smallest things that these people could offer a child could actually be a milestone in a small life. "Show them there are other ways to live a life", she says.

Sometimes, they're told, children are taken into the care system with their parents' permission, other times they're removed from a bad situation by a court order. However they come to be care, one thing is sadly unavoidable. These children will have had experiences that will colour the way they look at life and behave. There are many kinds of neglect and abuse, and often experiencing one will mean being exposed to others. The issues facing the children who may come to these potential carers are complex. They're not being asked to completely understand, but to accept the children for who they are. And that includes their past experiences.

"It can be hard as a foster carer to unpick what the child is exhibiting to understand and support them", says Katie. The fostering service need to recruit carers who can look beyond behavioural issues (such as being withdrawn or aggressive) to understand the reasons why they act they way they do.

Not only must potential carers be able to work well with children, they will need to be able to navigate the external forces which will also have influence in the child's life. Social workers, teachers, perhaps psychologists and, most importantly of all, the child's family. The child will still see their family and this can be confusing. What if the parents don't turn up? What if they see siblings who they don't want to be separated from again? What if the parent tells them to misbehave, in order that they are 'sent back'?

This might sound intimidating to some here tonight. But Katie reassures them that the service does not expect them to be fully equipped from these skills from day one. Being a foster carer is a process. Training is provided and as you care, you learn, not only from the children but from other carers.

For those potential foster carers who have children of their own, Katie warns that their birth children need to be on board with the idea of fostering. "You foster as a family" she says. All the existing carers who talk to the group speak of how the experience has opened their own children's eyes. They learn about other kinds of families, to share their possessions and their family with others.

Gareth and Tracy Pickering from Stocksbridge have come tonight to try again. They looked into fostering once before, two years ago, but were put off by a piece of false information. Now they want to revisit the idea. The couple currently have a 16 year old daughter, Tracy's birth daughter. Gareth has known her since she was 4 and adopted her at age 11 after a long process. When asked why he wanted to foster, Gareth talks about his dad who was in a home when he was a child. He has one photo of his father whilst he was in the home, and he is sitting staring at his feet apart from the group. You can see that this saddens him. He says that he hates the idea of a child being passed from place to place. The couple have decided that they are happy to take any child aged 0 to 18. "Whatever you can do for someone else, you should", he says. He recounts how he currently works as a buyer and spends his working life sitting in front of a computer screen. He assures that he wouldn't call his decision 'a mid-life crisis', it's more that he wants to direct his attentions to something more fulfilling and rewarding. He acknowledges that other people are put off the idea of fostering because of the changes it would make in their lives. Particularly the financial adjustments. But he asks, "What's more rewarding, a new car or making a difference in a child's life".

Sally Lawton, 36, from the Beighton area of Sheffield has been fostering for almost 4 years. She has a son of her own who is 8 and currently has a foster child living with her, a girl of 4. She says that she's always wanted to foster. She recalls watching an awards show on television when she was around 14. It was acknowledging people who had made a difference, somewhat like the Pride of Britain Awards, she says. She remembers a woman being given her award and seeing all the children she'd fostered in the audience celebrating with her. It resonated with Sally and she realised it was something she wanted to do. But she had to wait for the timing to be right. After leaving school she worked as a veterinary nurse for 17 years. She separated from her son's father when he was quite young. And when he started school she felt the time was right to extend their family to children in need of one. At school age she felt her son would be able to understand the process, but also be young enough to have children coming in and out of the family become normal. With a child in school, and having school age children coming into her care, she's able to work with her son and her foster children.

Throughout her time as a foster carer, Sally has had seven children into, and subsequently leave her care. Though she has had several on a short-term basis through holiday support care. The longest any child stayed was 19 months, and the shortest, just 3 months.

When asked, Sally says that the best part of foster caring is being able to make a difference. "The first child I ever got was a 3 month old baby straight from hospital, he was adopted at 9 and a half months. I keep in touch with the family. Saw them a couple of weekends ago, we all met up for a pub lunch. He's nearly 4 now. I'm part of his life; it's not kept from him that he used to live here. They grow up with us in their lives, it's like having a big extended family". The hardest part is when whomever a child moves on to doesn't stay in touch. She says she doesn't want a lot of contact, just an occasional photo or an update. The children she's had in her care may have left her home, but not her thoughts.

If you'd like to find out more about fostering in Sheffield then the service holds regular information evenings . If you would prefer to speak to someone, contact them directly and decide if it's for you.

by Emma Riordan

BBC 5 Live takes up residence in Sheffield for Octoberfest

The UK's largest news and sport radio station, BBC Radio 5 Live, has upped sticks from its Salford base and moved to Sheffield for a three day roadshow.

5 Live's Octoberfest includes a series of programmes and activities based in Sheffield for the three-day period, which began yesterday.

Many of the station's regular shows are being broadcast to live studio audiences in the Crucible Theatre with more off-air activities taking place across the city, including what the organisers hope will be the World's largest 5-a-side football match.

A selection of special guests are also in attendance, including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who will be on Shelagh Fogarty's show this afternoon.

Pulp front man Jarvis Cocker, England cricketer Graham Swann and former footballer Robbie Savage are among the other guests.

In addition, the organisers have constructed an 'igloo' structure outside the Crucible, where the public can try their hand at presenting the news, weather and even football commentary.

 BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Houghton 

Success

5 Live's operations manager, Chris Houghton, said: "5 Live's Octoberfest is all about getting out and meeting some of our audience."

"This year we're in Sheffield. Editorially, our programmes wanted to be in Sheffield because there are a lot of things in the news to do with Sheffield."

"It's a good place to come culturally, there are the two universities and there are two big football teams. That's what 5 Live is all about, big news and sports stories."

After day one, Houghton labeled the event a success so far: "After day one of our Octoberfest, it's been so far so good," Houghton said, "We have had primary schools booked in in the mornings in the igloo to have a go at some of the activities."

"They had a great time and the general public this afternoon are also having a great time as well."

The World record attempt for the largest 5-a-side football match ever played, dubbed '5 Live Aside', gets underway this afternoon.

The marathon game will last for 24 hours and will take place at Sheffield United's Shirecliffe training ground, kicking off at 2pm. Guest players taking part include Robbie Savage, former England international Danny Mills and Match of the Day 2's Colin Murray.

by Stuart Hill