The two-day masterclass is aimed at senior staff or trustees within charities and not-for-profit organisations, and will provide guidance on how to set up or develop a trading arm, social enterprise or entrepreneurial activity. Delegates will have the opportunity to hold a one-to-one consultation with facilitator John Pepin, an expert in social enterprise activities.

SIL Solutions is a limited company which donates all of its profits to Sheffield Information Link.

Find out more about the Masterclass.

Monday 19th to Friday 23rd December we are open as normal (8.30am to 5.30pm). Face to Face Visit us at First Point Howden House in the city centre. Telephone us on 0114 275 6699. During the Christmas period we are closed from Saturday 24th December to Tuesday 27th December

• Wednesday, 28th: 8.30am – 5.30pm
• Thursday, 29th: 8.30am – 5.30pm
• Friday 30th: 8.30am – 5.30pm

During the New Year period we are closed from Saturday 31st January to Monday 2nd January

• Tuesday 3rd onwards, open as normal      (8.30am to 5.30pm)

Specialist brokerage services through Sheffield Information Link.

This service is for parents who are experiencing significant barriers to finding childcare, e.g. a language difficulty or an unusual working pattern. To make a referral to our  brokerage service, please call us on our new number: 0114 249 8271.  (Please note we are closed from Saturday 31st December to Tuesday 2nd January)

Sheffield Information Link will  be delivering outreach until 31^st March 2012, but this will be targeted at specific areas, rather than sessions across the city.

The following Sheffield Information Link services are not changing and will still be delivered by us:

• ask Sid (Children and Young People’s Service Directory) Tel : 0114 2494923
• SIGN (for families with children with disabilities & specific health conditions) Tel: 0114 2669476
• Childcare provider updating Tel: 0114 2496242

We are committed to continuing to offer the best possible service to Sheffield’s parents and carers.

Don’t worry – you can still contact SIGN for information and support for your child with a disability, special need or health condition, or on behalf of a child you are working with.

Ring us: We are keeping the same number 0114 266 9476 (Mon-Fri, 10.00-3.00)

By email: You can still reach us at sign@sheffinfolink.org.uk

From 19 December 2011 you can contact us by telephone or email and if you need to see us face to face we can make arrangements to meet you.  We will also be out and about in Sheffield with our new outreach service – contact us for details of where we’ll be or to arrange an appointment.

Staff at SIGN can provide you with information on:

• Specific health conditions
• Sources of support, self help groups and further information Appropriate local and national voluntary organisations
• Statutory services and how to access them
• Special educational needs support
• Leisure and holiday information
• Mobility and equipment
• Sources of funding and information about benefits
• Whatever you’re looking for, we’re here to help – just get in touch!

Major changes to your Family Information Service

From Monday 3^rdOctober 2011, there will be major changes to family information services in Sheffield.  After this date, drop-in enquiries and telephone enquiries will nolonger be taken by Sheffield Information Link.  These services will be delivered instead by Sheffield City Council.

You can call the same number, 0114 275 6699,which will be answered by First Point staff. This service will be available  from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Alternatively,you can call in to First Point at Howden House to talk to someone face-to-face. This service will be available from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Sheffield Information Link will still be delivering outreach until 31^st March 2012, but this will be targeted at specific areas, rather than sessions across the city.

Specialist brokerage services will remain with Sheffield Information Link. This service is for parents who are experiencing significant barriers to finding childcare, e.g. a language difficulty or an unusual working pattern. To make a referral to our  brokerage service, please call us on our new number: 0114 249 8271.

The following Sheffield Information Link services are not changing and will still be delivered by us:

• ask Sid (Children and Young People’s Service Directory) Tel : 0114 2494923
• SIGN (for families with children with disabilities & specific health conditions) Tel: 0114 2669476
• Childcare provider updating Tel: 0114 2496242

We are committed to continuing to offer the best possible service to Sheffield’s parents and carers.

Thank you for your on-going support.

Without this service I wouldn’t know half the things I do now about what is out there in regards to help with finance health or education. Not to mention the wealth of information they have about various organisations that put carers/parents in touch with families allowing me to know that I’m not on my own and support is out there. Sheffield Parent

SIL and ask Sid have aided me with help given to a child within my care. The child was pregnant. We were able to direct her to essential services and help her continue her education during her pregnancy and after the birth of her baby. Transition worker Tapton and King Egberts School

I recently found out my child has Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Although I had already suspected that was the case it still was a shock emotionally and mentally when the diagnosis was finally made. I felt at a total loss of what to do in terms of benefits, knowing of services that provide some help and having access to books on my son’s condition. I was provided with help and support for all the above issues through the SIGN service.  Charnjit Kaur-Javed, Parent

SIL’s information on activities for children during the school holidays has been invaluable to me.  Plus their ‘Places to Visit’ guide gives me inspiration on where to take my toddler, and is full of places I would never have otherwise found locally or on the internet. Their advice on childcare is also second to none, and this sort of  comprehensive information just isn’t available anywhere else. Mrs S South, Parent

If you’d like to become involved there are a number of ways you can support us.