September Spark! Newsletter
Hello all and welcome back! We hope you have managed to have some time to rest this summer, ready for another academic year. Even though it has been lovely catching up with friends and family this past month, I am looking forward to the cooler autumn weather and of course Halloween.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter, and if you have something you want to share next month please email BH8131@hallam.shu.ac.uk before the 29th of September.
Spark! Updates
Disability History Month
The Spark! Team is currently planning how to mark the occasion of Disability History Month this November and we need your ideas. Along with this, we will be hosting an online Inclusive Hallam Event in December to increase awareness and understanding of living with a disability. We would love for you to share your experiences, followed by a Q+A session with a small panel of people. To get involved or share your ideas please email us at lsss-sparkstaffdisabilitynetwork-mb@exchange.shu.ac.uk
Spark! Staff Social
Now more of us can come on campus, we are hosting our first Spark! Staff social event on the 13th of September from 11:00 – 13:00 in Charles Street 12.05.08. This will be a relaxed event so feel free to drop in when you can. We hope to see you there!
University Wide Updates
ADHD Coffee Social
Claire Walsh will be holding an ADHD Coffee Social on the 18th of October from 14:00 – 15:30 at City Chef Central. All our welcome despite your diagnosis status to share tips and support each other. If you have any questions, please contact Claire.
Call for Disabled Academics to speak at a Disabled Academics Panel
As part of Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union’s activity for Disability History Month we are looking for some disabled academics to speak at our Disabled Academics panel. Our disabled students have fed back to us that they feel like they are not represented in the staff and that they would like to know more about navigating academia as a disabled person. If you are interested in speaking about your experiences on the panel then please get in touch, it is important for your voices & experiences to be heard! Dates & times will be based on when is best for the panelists but will take place on a Thursday during Disability History Month (18th November – 18th December). If you would like to find out more about what the SU is planning this Disability History Month, contact Maddie at mb7793@exchange.shu.ac.uk
U –Connect Diversity Mentoring Scheme
We are pleased to announce that the U-Connect (cross-Institutional Diversity Mentoring Scheme) will be running again for another year and that the application window is now open. We are delighted to welcome the University of Bradford, who will be joining our existing partners, Leeds Trinity, York St John, and Huddersfield Universities.
The Scheme aims to improve career development and progression opportunities for those who may have experienced barriers on account of their race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic, or intersectional disadvantage.
For more information visit https://sheffieldhallam.sharepoint.com/sites/3005/equality/SitePages/U-Connect-Diversity-Mentoring-Scheme.aspx or contact Emma Booth.
News
HM Queen Elizabeth II
The Spark! Community is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time. If you would like to share your sympathies the university has arranged books of condolence to be available in the reception areas of Owen building, Heart of the Campus, Robert Winston building, and in the Students’ Union.
Covid-19, Disablism And Systemic Racism Survey
The Commission on COVID-19, Disablism and Systemic Racism is calling on disabled people and people with long-term health conditions from black, Asian, and other minority ethnic groups to share their perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responses to the Call for Views and Experiences can be submitted in several ways including via an online survey, Easy Read, audio or video file, or written document. To find out more visit https://www.disabilitysheffield.org.uk/blog/covid19-disablism-and-systemic-racism-survey-2022-08-10
The deadline for submissions is Friday 30 September.
To contact the Commission’s Secretariat, please email disability.race@vodg.org.uk
#SpeakUp! For Fibromyalgia + ME
This year Sheffield ME & Fibromyalgia Group was awarded a small grant by Healthwatch Sheffield to capture the views and experiences of people in Sheffield with Fibromyalgia and ME. Healthwatch Sheffield and SMEFG will write up the findings together, including recommendations for how services could improve, and make sure this is heard by decision-makers. To find out more and get involved visit https://www.sheffieldmegroup.co.uk/post/speakup-blog#viewer-f1roj
Mattel to Release Barbies with Disabilities
After a campaign by Strictly Winner and Eastender’ star Rose Ayling-Ellis, Barbie has been given a new makeover to help represent those living with disabilities. The new range will be going on sale across the UK and will feature dolls with behind the ear hearing aids, vitiligo, prosthetic legs, and wheelchairs. We hope other doll manufacturers will follow suit. To read more visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-62577192
Reading + Media List – Call for submissions
In case you were not aware, there is a reading list curated by the library which can be found at this link https://rl.talis.com/3/shu/lists/243A32D5-DC10-81BA-70A2-AC9DB3B4A1E4.html
The Networks communications team would love to hear from you about recommendations for books, films, tv shows, podcasts etc. It can be difficult giving an opinion on something that does not represent your lived experience, but we understand any opinion is personal and not a blanket endorsement.
Call for new committee members
The network needs more committee members to help sustain and continue to grow the work we can do. Please email Spark at Sparksdn@shu.ac.uk if you might be interested in joining the committee. We will invite you to the next committee meeting so you can get a feel for what is involved and there is absolutely no pressure if you decide it is not right for you.
Best wishes,
Branwyn and the Spark! Committee
Keep up to date with Spark! By following us @HallamSpark