Being the main breadwinner and while working part-time Hazel was thrown into a nightmare scenario as she explains: “I was working odd times on various shift patterns which meant I needed someone to look after the kids at different times. I thought at the time that other family members would step in to help, but they too were all busy with their own working lives. I was in a desperate situation and did not know which way to turn.”

Fortunately for Hazel, someone gave her the number of Sheffield Information Link although she admits she was so distraught at the time that she cannot remember who it was. “I’d become a nervous, emotional wreck. At one point I was sat in the car crying because I didn’t have a clue what to do or where to go for help but then I rang SIL and they listened to what I needed. Within ten minutes they rang me back with the names of two local childminders that could take care of the kids; it was such a relief,” says Hazel.

Hazel works in the care industry and is often required to be flexible in her working patterns. Being a member of a team that cares of a Tetraplegic means long hours away from home and she faced another problem when her employers required her to work a 24 hour shift once a week. So not only did she need irregular hours of childcare, she now needed someone to be there overnight.

Fortunately Hazel had kept the contact details for SIL and called again asking for more help. “The lady I spoke to was just brilliant” says Hazel, “I had never considered using a nanny or how to contract one but it has proved the right move as she comes and stays with the kids as and when I need her. Getting childcare for the odd day in the week is really difficult and I have no idea what I would have done without the help I got from SIL,” says Hazel.

Hazel is now able to concentrate fully while at work safe in the knowledge that Tegan and Richard are being looked after by professionally registered carers thanks to intervention from Sheffield Information Link.

If you have a childcare emergency and don’t know where to turn, we can help. Call 0114 249 8271 or email info@sheffinfolink.org.uk.

We’re looking for people who have had positive experiences using childcare and early learning activities to become Parent Champions. By joining our friendly team you can help us to make a real difference to the lives of children and families in Sheffield. Find out more about becoming a Parent Champion – click here.

Gemma Hopkins of Pitsmoor, Sheffield is a self-employed bookkeeper and mother of three. Her time is stretched at the best of times but when seasonal pressure increases her work load she needs as much flexibility in her time schedules as possible.

In preparation for the usual seasonal increase in work as her clients’ tax returns become due, Gemma started looking for childcare for around two hours at a critical part of the day; between the end of school and when both parents would be home. For three months Gemma searched in vain to solve a problem that was causing increasing anxiety at home and work.

“I could not believe how difficult it was to try and find childcare for such a short period of time. Every search I did, by phone or on the Internet turned up nothing. An out of school club wanted to charge a fortune and after school clubs finished too early, I was getting really desperate as clients’ year ends were approaching and work was piling up,” says Gemma.

Recalling Sheffield Information Link (SIL) from a previous contact, Gemma looked it up SIL on line and spoke to one of the customer support team there.

“I really could not believe it” says Gemma “I had spent months looking for childcare and they sorted it out in about ten minutes. I now have a full wrap around childcare service thanks to SIL. After I spoke to the woman she rang me back virtually straight away with contact numbers for two childminders. One of them collects my kids from their after school club and then delivers them to the other one who looks after them till I’ve done working. The kids absolutely love it as they get extra education and have fun with both childminders, they often come home telling me what they have done that day,” says Gemma

Sharron Baroudi, Chief Executive of SIL says that Gemma’s experience is not uncommon as working parents struggle to find the childcare that suits them. “The working patterns of many parents and carers mean that they can require flexible child care services. The problem for many of them is that they do not know what the options are or who to approach. Parents like Gemma need help and advice so that they can carry on with work, education and training with the stress or worrying about childcare. It’s fantastic that with our help Gemma has a happy home and prospering business,” says Sharron Baroudi.

The impact of SIL’s intervention goes way beyond the home as well. The extra time that Gemma now has means she can see clients across the City at times to suit them, which means she has happy customers. What’s more, it has allowed her to commit time to starting another new business, which brings in more income for the family and is providing employment for others.

Gemma is under no illusion about the impact SIL’s help has had on her and her family; “It has freed up my working life. It has made things so much easier now, and it only took ten minutes talking to people who have the information and contacts I needed. The relief is unbelievable,” says Gemma.

In 1997 we rebranded and renamed the organisation to what it is today in recognition of our acknowledgement as the central information resource for the 0-19+ partnership.   We now provide information for families from 0-19+ through our core service, SIGN disability service and ask Sid, Sheffield’s online information directory.

All the staff at SIL are committed to continuing to provide the very best service for Sheffield Families.

If you have any interesting anecdotes to share with us about the history of SIL I’d be really interested to hear them.   Photos of ex staff and premises are also welcome.  We’re also pulling together case studies from parents who’ve used our service and really benefitted from our service.   Please email them to me at s.baroudi@sheffinfolink.org.uk  and we’ll do our best to incorporate them into our celebration event in November.

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.

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.