November Spark! Newsletter
Hello everybody, and Happy Bonfire Night eve! I will be spending this year’s bonfire night doing my master’s work, but I hope I can catch a few fireworks from the comfort (and warmth!) of my flat. In this month’s newsletter we have updates about our upcoming Inclusive Hallam Event, this year’s honorary doctorates, and how you can get involved in Disability History Month.
If you have anything you want featured in December’s newsletter or have any questions about Spark! you can contact us at Sparksdn@shu.ac.uk
Spark! Updates
Inclusive Hallam – Disability History Month: Experiences of Disabled People
This December we will be hosting our first Disability History Month event where Sheffield Hallam colleagues will share their personal experiences of disability, reflect on barriers and enablers, and offer advice and tips on how we can all be more supportive of disabled people.
The event will feature:
Professor Helen Scott, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning, Teaching and Student Success)
Professor Helen Scott, who is one of the University’s EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) champions for disability, will be introducing the event.
Dr Luke Beardon, Senior Lecturer in Autism
Dr Luke Beardon will be discussing the experiences of those with Autism and how we can do more to support autistic people. To find out more about Dr Luke Beardon visit the SHU about our people page.
Branwyn Harris, Global Partnerships Co-Ordinator & MA Autism Student
Having been diagnosed with endometriosis at 23, Branwyn will be sharing her journey to diagnosis, what it is like living with endometriosis and how we can improve our working practices for people with chronic pain. To learn more about endometriosis go to endometriosis.org.
Neal Marsh, Advisor in the Disabled Student Support Team
Neal Marsh will be talking about growing up with a stammer and sharing what support is available for people with a stammer. Find out more about Neal’s story on the Spark! Blog.
And, if you have a question for our panel, you can submit it to Sparksdn@shu.ac.uk before Wednesday the 30th of November.
You can find out more about the event and register your interest through the Microsoft teams event page.
Want to get involved in this Disability History Month?
We are looking for members of staff to answer the following questions to spread awareness this Disability History Month. You do not need to answer all the questions below to take part, and they can remain anonymous if you would prefer:
- How has being a member of Spark! Helped you?
- How can we help disabled staff?
- What would you want someone to say if you shared information about your disability?
Please email your responses to Sparksdn@shu.ac.uk with the subject line DHM Responses by the 23rd of November if you would like to take part.
University Wide Updates
Carly Jones MBE Awarded Honorary SHU Doctorate
Carly is a British Autism advocate and has dedicated her career to increasing visibility and safeguarding of autistic people, particularly women and girls. Since 2008 Carly has spoken on policy relating to Autistic women and girls on news channels, at universities, and in Parliament, and was the first British autistic woman to address the United Nations on autistic women’s rights. In 2017 she was awarded an MBE for services to autistic people. We look forward to seeing Carly receive her doctorate in November’s graduation ceremonies.
Meet the rest of SHU’s 2022 Honorary Doctorates on the SHU staff updates page.
News
Crisis Café Opens This November
A Crisis Café will be opening on Bank Street in Sheffield City Centre on 16th November. The pathway will be open evenings and weekends 365 days a year for people aged 16+, with staff who are trained crisis workers who will be able to refer people if they at a greater risk than can be managed. The crisis café will offer a space for de-escalation, decompression and signposting support.
This will support people from the age of 16 and the café will be open Mon-Fri 6pm – midnight and Sat/Sun 2pm – midnight, 7 days per week/365 days per year. It will be located at 44 Bank Street, Sheffield, S1. For more information about mental health support in Sheffield visit the Sheffield Mental Health page.
My Sighted Guide Volunteers
Guide Dogs are recruiting for My Sighted Guide Volunteers in Sheffield and surrounding areas to provide support to a person with sight loss to get out and about in their local community, build self-confidence, increase social interaction, and promote independence.
Visit My Sighted Guide Sheffield to find out more and register your interest.
Awareness Days
| November Long – Movember Men’s Health Awareness Month |
| 14th November – World Diabetes Day |
| 16th November – 16th December – UK Disability History Month |
| 19th November – International Men’s Day |
| 24th November – Carers Rights Day |
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 on the library gateway.
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