Our ‘Best of…’ guide to Sheffield events in June

June is a frantic month for most – the month before the beginning of the kid’s school holidays and before summer’s activities kick start so why not plan ahead for that quick spot of relief.


Here’s our guide to the best events happening in Sheffield next month from Sheffield music events to art exhibitions and theatre performances...



Sunday, June 1 – Billy Smart’s Circus, Hillsborough Park, 12.30pm and 3.30pm, Tickets range from £7 - £23.
The last day of the touring circus who will next be stopping in Lincoln, providing fun for all ages, featuring a combination of music, dance and theatre. Acrobatics juggling, magical illusions and aerial acrobatics will also be showcased at the event which also includes a flying trapeze act which is designed to keep the family talking for hours after.[1]

 

Monday, June 2 – Friday, June 6, Steel City Stories exhibition, Jessop West Exhibition Space, University of Sheffield – Entry is free.
If surrounding yourself with local art and local history sounds while supporting undergraduate artists sounds like you then this exhibition featuring visual, textual and aural representations of the Sheffield steel industry could be perfect for a bit of time out. Marking the 100th anniversary of stainless steel this project was produced by photographers Shaun Bloodworth and Andy Brown who worked alongside undergraduates from the University of Sheffield to uncover the forgotten histories of steel to trace the meanings of industry in culture, identity and local heritage.[2]


Saturday, June 7, Ghost hunting and Sheffield’s fire and police museum, The Old Fire Station, 9pm until 3am, £39.

Home to old fire engines and policing memorabilia it is believed that some artefacts still have old spirits attached to them which is why the Ghost Night team have chosen this venue for their next ghost hunt. The most famous spirit is said to be a former inmate called Cain who is known on previous hunts to have thrown glass and making his presence known most to females who enter his cell. The team will also be providing drinks and snacks throughout the night.[3]

 

Tuesday, June 17, Kings Of Leon, Motorpoint Arena, 7.30pm, Tickets from £49.50.
The alternative-rock group made up of the four family members, who hail from Tennessee, have dominated the charts with top hits ‘Sex is on fire’ and ‘Use Somebody’. This is the fourth time the group, who take their name from their grandfather, have appeared at the Sheffield arena, this time on the back of their Grammy nominated album released this year, ‘Mechanical Bull’. Guaranteed to be showstopping for any alternative-ock or indie fans.


Friday, June 20, Jason Derulo, O2 Academy Sheffield, Doors 7pm, Tickets from £31 + booking fee.

Established as one fo the worlds biggest pop stars on the back of 17 million record sales, Mr Derulo will be performing hits from his Number 1 hit album ‘Tattoo’s’. Returning to the Sheffield academy, this will be his biggest UK tour ever and his first once since his serious neck injury of 2011. Fans of all ages should see Jason perform hits such as ‘Talk Dirty’ and debut single ‘Riding Solo’, so is certainly not one to miss. As Mr Derulo appeals to all ages it is definitely perfect for a break from preparatory summer tasks and sure to keep you singing for the rest of the month.[4]


Saturday, June 21, Holi One Colour Festival, Norfolk Heritage Park, 12pm – 10pm, Tickets from £27.99 + booking fee.

Enter wearing white and leave in colour! Inspired by the original Holi festival in India, but this festival is about promoting the ideas of togetherness and the colour of everyday life during a day of fun and exhilaration. It is expected that thousands of people will be coming together – all wearing white to share music, dance and art. There will be a countdown during the festival to the moment the colourful non-toxic powders will be thrown, these will be provided with general admission tickets. Food and drink, including alcohol will also be available at the event.[5]


Monday, June 23 – Saturday, June 28, Sheffield Theatre, The Lyceum, 2pm and 7.45pm, Tickets

Any Beatles fans will enjoy this revival of their hits in a theatrical show packed with more than 20 hits. The audience will be able to relive The Beatles growth from Liverpool’s Cavern Club to their later studio masterpieces, from the 60’s and onwards. Straight from London’s West End, this show features different types of multimedia and varied performances, ideal entertainment for die-hard fans or amateur listeners.[6]


Sunday, June 29, Blondie, O2 Academy Sheffield, Doors 7pm, Tickets from £50 + booking fee.

Any retro Blondie fans looking to revive the 80’s will find this Sheffield music event the ideal evening out. With work the next day it finishes 11pm, providing enough time to listen to the classics of Debby Harry but is not too late for work the next day. In a special one off show the group will perform some of their top hits ‘One Way or Another’, ‘Heart of Glass’ and ‘Maria.’[7]



Whatever events take your fancy remember SRSB also arrange special trips and excursions to a variety of theatre shows, museums and historic houses with our Culture Club.



Call 0114 272 2757, email us, info@srsb.org.uk, or check our calendar of events.

.

---

[1]https://www.billy-smarts-circus.co.uk/

[2] http://www.storyingsheffield.com/project/steel-stories/

[3] http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Sheffield/Sheffield-Fire--Police-Museum/Ghost-Hunting-At-The-Sheffield-Fire-amp-Police-Museum/12138290/

[4] http://www.ents24.com/sheffield-events/o2-academy-sheffield/jason-derulo/3740240

[5] http://www.holione.com/en/events/sheffield.html

[6] http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/event/let-it-be-14/

[7] http://www.o2academysheffield.co.uk/event/66118/blondie-tickets

 

The Top 5 Most Weird & Wonderful Charity Fundraising Ideas

Here at SRSB we value every penny that is raised towards helping adults and children living with blindness. Thankfully there are lots of people out there who want to raise money for brilliant causes such as ours. If you want to do something a little different to fundraise for charity, take a look at our top 5 weird and wonderful fundraising ideas:

1)      Aerobathon

This is very much an endurance challenge. Aerobics is a great exercise if you want to become more flexible, strengthen your heart, and reduce body fat. The aerobathon can last as long as 6 hours if you really want a challenge but a solid 3 hour session should still raise a lot of sponsor money.

2)      Eurovision Party

If you want to throw a party and raise some funds in the process why not go for a Eurovision theme? Dress up as anybody who has ever competed. Get everyone to bring a picture of the original so that you can compare and pick a winner. Either charge people £1 to come or run a quiz and bingo and charge £1 to join; all proceeds going to the charity.

3)      Weight Gain Challenge

Okay, this might sound a little unhealthy but it could raise a lot of money. There are always plenty of people training for a charity triathlon or run but why not shake things up and give yourself a challenge to gain weight? This is a truly selfless act as you’re not going to be getting fit and looking good, you are genuinely sacrificing your flat stomach for charity. 

4)      Waxing

A painful but brave idea. You could get your eyebrows waxed off (they’ll grow back soon!) or if you’re a gentleman who thinks that a “Brazillian” is just a person from Brazil, then a full-body wax could raise a lot of cash.

5)      Be a Quitter

If you have a bad habit such as smoking or eating too much chocolate then get sponsored to quit for a month. If you have been a smoker for a while then people will understand that this is tough. They will respect you for doing it and you might find that the habit is well and truly kicked afterwards.

To find out more about SRSB and the sort of fundraising events that we run, visit our website at

http://www.srsb.org.uk/fundraising-events.aspx

Preparing Yourself Physically for a Charity Run

SRSB Runners

A run is a popular and successful way to raise money for a fantastic charity. You can design your own route to conquer; maybe a challenging journey including hilltops, or a large field to circuit for example. However, it is often more motivational if you take part in large scale running events alongside hundreds of other people who share similar goals. The runners encourage one other even when they have never met before. Rather than competing against each other most people have their own personal time in mind. If you are participating in any charity runs then here are a few tips to help you prepare for it:

Make Yourself a Timetable

If you are serious about training then make yourself a timetable. You might have a busy workload, a family to look after, and various other responsibilities therefore you need to make time for your run. It is easy to constantly think “I must get round to exercising” and not end up doing any at all. Making a timetable gives your training a proper structure to work with. 

Gradually Increase Pace & Distance

Don’t expect yourself to run for miles the first time that you try. If running is not something that you usually do then begin with small targets such as jogging for 3-5 minutes without stopping. Then walk for 3 minutes and try again. Everybody begins at different stages but as long as you gradually increase your pace and distance then you are heading in the right direction.

Mix Up Your Route & Use the Gym

Depending on where you live the scenery might be beautiful or you might be jogging past an industrial estate every day. Either way repeating the same route can become boring very quickly. Try a different area even if it means driving there, parking up, and then going for a jog. If you have a gym membership then the treadmill is great for measuring your distance and heart rate but gets dull quickly. Mix up your routine so that you are sometimes on the treadmill, sometimes outside.

You Don’t Have to Just Run

Doing the same exercise every day becomes tiresome. Running is obviously important but don’t be afraid of having a couple of days off the running and replacing it with something else. Exercise DVDs are a brilliant way to shake up your routine especially because you can do them in your own living room. If you prefer to be with other people then joining some exercise classes is another option.

Prepare a Diet

If you plan what you are going to eat in advance it is more likely that you will stick to it. Bear in mind that you burn around 100 calories / mile of a run. Fish, chicken, and beans are high in protein and low in calories. This does not mean you have to strip back all the other foods – particularly not for short charity runs – but ensure that they are somewhere in your weekly diet.

Drink Plenty of Water but Don’t Overdo It

Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Cut back on alcohol because it contains a lot of calories Try to stick to water which is usually a safe option. Drinking too much water can cause a dilution of soda in your body which essentially means that too much water enter the cells and they swell as a result. However, this is highly unlikely unless you are drinking vast quantities.

The Sheffield Half Marathon is taking place on the 6/4/2014 so there is still time for you to get involved. The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind help individuals of all ages including babies and their families, who are living with blindness. Our aim is to help those people live their lives to the full because we believe that blindness should not stop anybody from fulfilling their dreams. We are hugely grateful for every penny raised. If you would like to find out more about how you can sponsor us, please visit our charity events page: http://www.srsb.org.uk/Feeds.aspx?Key=3bd3f536-86da-4cbf-b880-db992b251b18&FeedType=EVENT .

Raise Money for Charity in 5 Simple Steps

At the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) we understand the significance of donations and how much they are relied upon. Our charity provide information, support, and friendship to partially-sighted individuals and people living with complete blindness. Just £10 helps to buy special equipment that allows people with blindness to pour themselves hot drinks without risk of injury. £1000 funds the children’s Christmas party and £35,000 would buy a new minibus for our trips. We appreciate every penny that is raised for SRSB but understand that sometimes raising money for a good cause is tricky. We have broken the process down into 5 simple steps to help you:

1) Pick a Great Cause

The first step is to decide which cause you are fundraising for. SRSB is a charity that helps adults and children living with blindness. Our mission is: to provide opportunity, support, friendship and services to blind and partially sighted people in Sheffield, helping them to achieve whatever they wish to do and whatever they aspire to be. Smaller charities such as ours always need help because we do not receive much publicity but any charity that is close to your heart is a worthwhile cause.

Blind and Partially Sighted Children with Parents

2) Think of an activity

You might be really fit and decide to push yourself to the limit; or you could be very unfit but doing something completely out of character to raise money. A charity run is a great idea because there are several national runs throughout the year that you can join, or you can design your own route. A more adventurous activity such as a charity skydive is likely to create a lot of interest and enthusiasm from friends and family. Choose a date well in advance (3-12 months) and book it as soon as possible. Booking far in advance prevents the charity skydive from being overbooked and will give you a solid time frame in which you need to raise the money.

3) Gain as Much Support as Possible

Don’t be afraid to ask colleagues for support. Some people find this awkward but if you don’t ask then you don’t get. If you would rather not ask people directly then leave a charity box at the reception (or anywhere where everybody passes) and leave it up to people’s discretion. Ask neighbours, family, friends, colleagues, your boss, members of your local sports team (or any hobbies you have), and more.

4) Use Social Media

From the very beginning you should set up a Facebook charity page. This a really easy way to raise funds quickly. You might not have spoken to half of your Facebook friends for years but you will be surprised by some of the people who choose to sponsor you. After setting up the page you can also link it to a blog. If you are training for the event then keep the blog updated with what you have done each day in preparation; this keeps people interested and they will respect your hard work.

5) Raise Additional Funds through Cake Sales, Auctions, and Raffles

There are lots of additional activities that you can do to raise those extra funds. A cake sale is an easy way to raise profits because making them is very cheap and you can easily sell them for a good profit. Auctions, bingo, themed parties, and raffles are also a good alternative and can raise a lot of money. 

Event Ideas for Staying In

Over the summer we will be asking you to stay in and hold an event to raise money and awareness for SRSB. This is a great excuse to catch up with old friends and bring family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours together. It’s a good idea to start planning ahead while time is on your side. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

Girls’ Makeover Night

Why not have a fun girly night in? Pay a small donation (around £3) to join in. Everybody brings some make-up, nail varnish, a facial kit, anything that they have... then have fun swapping around. Do each other’s make-up and exchange beauty tips. Manicures and pedicures are a staple and make sure that there are plenty of straighteners and curling tongs around!

Charity Dinner

Have a charity dinner where all of the guests bring along a sample of their favourite dish. One person will bring a curry while another might bring a risotto; variety is the spice of life after all and the biggest bonus is that you don’t have to do all the cooking! You could also ask guests to bring along any old clothes / toys / unwanted possessions that you will then donate to SRSB.

Garden Party

Make the most of the summer weather by having a garden party. The best food for this type of get-together is the combination of a barbecue with lots of nibbles to pick at. Don’t forget the ultimate summer drink: Pimm’s!

Quiz Night

Bring out everybody’s competitive side with a fun-filled quiz night. Range the questions from easy to very difficult so that everybody can join in and you could even have an auction at the end to raise some extra money.

Themed Party

You are never too old for fancy-dress. A regular party with dance floor, music, drinks, and party food can be livened up just by giving everybody a theme to dress for. It can be specific such as an underwater theme or it might be a broader theme such as “anything beginning with ‘S’”. Sell tickets rather than send invites – explain to your friends it’s just for fun so you can raise money for charity.

Support in the Community for Visually Impaired People in Sheffield

Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind is wholeheartedly committed to making a difference in Sheffield. Central to our activities as a Sheffield charity is our range of support services in the community. Our dedicated staff and volunteers offer a variety of services in people’s own homes to help blind and partially sighted people in Sheffield maintain their independence.

From our Mappin Street Centre and Cairn Home in Sheffield our tele-contact and tele-friend services provide telephone contact with our service users to ensure they are receiving enough support and helping to alleviate isolation. Just a 20 minute phone call from one of our tele-friends can provide invaluable contact to blind and partially sighted people who live alone and are unable to get out easily.

SRSB has a number of Sheffield charity advice workers who can visit our clients in the community and assess support needs and make sure that they are accessing all the help they are entitled to. Our community advice officers offer support including welfare rights advice, benefit claims help and signposting to other vital organisations like Social Services.  

Our Sheffield charity work also extends to befriending services for visually impaired people who may need support, practical assistance or even just companionship in their own home.  From dealing with personal correspondence and having a chat and a cup of tea, to going for a short walk, our volunteers can help those who may feel isolated in their own home.

For carers and those who spend a lot of time looking after a visually impaired person, SRSB’s Hand in Hand service will provide a volunteer to take over care for a few hours at a time. This will give the carer valuable time to get the shopping done or attend personal appointment without the worry of leaving a loved one alone.

At SRSB we are proud of the range of support services we provide for visually impaired people in Sheffield. As one of Sheffield’s oldest independent local charities we have been providing support, friendship and services for over 150 years.  

For more information about our community support in Sheffield please contact Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind on 0114 2722757.

About Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind

SRSB started over 150 years ago with one woman’s devotion to helping the blind, it is now the primary source of services and support for people with sight loss in Sheffield and continues to go above and beyond to try and improve the quality of life for the visually impaired.

SRSB provides opportunities, support, friendship and services to the blind and partially sighted so that they can achieve all that they want to achieve without anything holding them back. At SRSB we want people to know the issues that the people we help have to face every day and hope to encourage a better understanding of why the work we do is so important and why we must continue to do it.

We have two facilities, Mappin Street Centre, located in Sheffield city centre which is accessed by over 300 people every week and Cairn home, our residential care home which can care for up to 30 people; in total we support over 3000 visually impaired people of all ages in Sheffield.

SRSB provide sports and leisure opportunities, self help andsupport groups, children’s services and even training, so we really do have everything covered. The key mission is to allow people to maintain their independence no matter what, so all of these services are equally important.

We are an independent charity, but we also work closely with government departments, local authorities, national charities, local charities and support groups so that the people we help can receive the best support possible in the best possible manner, however we do not receive any grants or funding from these so are heavily reliant on public funding.

Fundraising events are the cornerstone of the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind because without funds from the public we would not be able to provide all of the vital services that we do. We host and take part in many fundraising events every month, from pub quizzes and golf days to dragon boat races and the Great Yorkshire Run!

For more information on SRSB and the work that we do visit our website and get involved!