Sophie Mei

Friday 27^th November was a celebratory day for those who celebrate Eid, the District Commander for Sheffield was commended for his work within the community and I had a successful appointment with my bank manager

Paul Broadbent is the District Commander for Sheffield, South Yorkshire Police Service. He has over 25 years police service and has extensive experience within Uniform and CID posts at every rank up to and including Detective Superintendent, including periods in the Drug Squad, Robbery and Serious Crime Squads.  More recently he has been the head of the Force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit as well as the Gun Crime Unit. Additionally he had responsibility for undercover policing methods.  Paul has led numerous homicides, kidnaps and other serious crime enquiries. He also has undertaken the role of Acting Chief Constable for South Yorkshire Police Service.

As Police Commander for Sheffield he has overall responsibility for policing of the City including Community Cohesion, Football, Firearms and Public Order Command, is a Senior Investigating Officer with National responsibilities and a member of the International Cadre for Hostage Negotiation.

Paul is a Graduate of the FBI Academy – Quantico and New York Police Faculty USA and holds a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Studies additionally he as taken the role of acting Assistant Chief Constable.  He is a Windsor Leadership Trust and Fulbright Fellowship Alumni having researched multiple homicide enquiries across the USA.

Paul has been the recipient of numerous awards but his latest Award is an extremely special one as it comes from the communities in South Yorkshire and extends recognition to Paul for his outstanding contributions to community safety, community cohesion and common citizenship in South Yorkshire. The Award was presented as a warm gesture of gratitude from Communities Together in South Yorkshire who comprises the diverse communities who make up the South Yorkshire Family.

The ‘South Yorkshire family’ came together on Friday and celebrated with a special ceremony in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour.

Fancy buying a unique gift this year? One that helps tone, boost confidence and gives you enjoyment?

SPECIAL INTRODUCTIONARY OFFER:

Book a private bellydance party with Sophie Mei!

Either purchase for yourself or buy a voucher for a special person which gives you a 2-hour Private Bellydance Session (1 hour tuition and 1 hour of dressing up/drinks/Music)

Cost: £12 p.p. (all included)

NB/ For groups of 5 or more: Women only

If less than 5 people a set rate will be applied – feel free to get in touch for further information!

HIV: Reality

December 1^st is World Aid’s Day and this year’s theme is ‘HIV: Reality’ as it’s important to discover real-life stories about HIV in the UK today and understand the facts in order to combat stigma and prejudice about the virus.

There are 33.4 million people globally living with HIV today and more than 85,000 people in the UK.  You are at risk at contracting the virus if you have unprotected sex or share needles.

Tomorrow there will be a Candlelit vigil held in the Winter Gardens in Sheffield City Centre from 4pm. Along with hundreds of events taking place across the UK.

To find out more about HIV and World Aid’s Day log on to:

http://www.worldaidsday.org

SOPHIE’S SHEFFIELD

http://www.thestar.co.uk

“You’ll be reight love,” said the Taxi driver as I clambered out of the taxi and onto West St for my first night out in months.

I’d just arrived back from three months in Naples, Italy as part of my University degree in Philosophy and Italian and, although I was excited about being back in my hometown it felt alien to be outside of a small Italian village. However, at once the taxi driver had put me at ease and hearing the Sheffield saying “it’ll be reight” was music to my ears.

There is some special pull that Sheffield has on people. Whether you’ve been born and bred here or moved for a few years, once you’ve got the bug, there is no going back.

When I visit my Sister (dare I say it) down south (yes she moved down there to pursuer her career as a fashion designer I like to think that it was through no choice of her own but business is business)  – she and her friends constantly reminisce about their Sheffield days the ‘good old times’.

For me personally, I love the ‘big village’ feel of the place as your in walking distance of all you friends and colleagues although, there are times when you just want to be invisible. Admittedly, I don’t help myself out by wearing big stilettos and bright dresses but I guess life’s too short to just blend in with the crowd.

Sheffield does seem to modestly develop and harness the talent and creativity that goes on in the city, which gives it its unique buzz and vibrance.  We have polished some real gems such as, socially aware and extremely talented John McClure. Who, as us Sheffielders do, gave his bit back to the city by curating Sheffield’s first Music City event along with Matt Helders of the Arctic Monkeys.

Both John and Matt have both achieved national fame (they’ve even been featured in The Independent – that’s when you’re a proper musician), but nonetheless they are Sheffielders and as I wouldn’t want to treat anyone any different whether they’re a celebrity or not…

I tipsily misjudged Matt for a normal ‘DJ Dave’ and pleaded with him one night to “bust out Sean Paul – Get Busy! Pleeease!”

I don’t think that went down too well. He didn’t mind that I didn’t realize who he was but I think the Sean Paul request was one step too far for his musical credibility.

What can I say?!  – You can take the girl outta Pitsmoor…

Anyway enough of procrastanation..

I want to find out what is so unique about our Steel City? Whether it is the hills? The shops?  Or the people?

Sophie Mei of Sophie Mei Ltd., named one of the

Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneurs for 2009

It was announced on Monday, that I am one of the Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year winners, during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009.

This week has been Global Entrepreneurship Week and there have been events taking place all over the country.

Today, I went to give a talk in one of The Big Wheel pods in Sheffield City Centre – it was to inspire young school students within the city.

Got to say that it was a little difficult as the pod was quite wobbly, the girls look petrified and I could barely see as my crazy hair got the better of me with the gale force winds.

However, it was lovely chatting to some inspirational young people as they start out in their chosen careers. It made me reminisce back to my school days… I feel old!

Anyhow, Global Entrepreneur Week (as well as being a mouthful) is looking to unleash people’s enterprising ideas to tackle some of society’s biggest issues such as climate change, poverty, gender equality and health.

The Future 100 Awards puts the spotlight on young people aged 18-35 who are demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and innovation in running a responsible business venture; one which demonstrates a balance between economic, environmental and social goals to achieve ultimate business success.

My business – Sophie Mei Ltd’s aims include: bridging social and cultural gaps in the UK and globally through the physical activity of bellydance and other dance forms; reaching out to the excluded and instigating social change through inspirational events and presentations aimed at the general public; creating real and creative opportunities for people; bringing bellydance to the mainstream and bringing its physical and mental benefits to both the general public and vulnerable or marginalised groups.

Founder of Striding Out and organiser of the Future100 awards, Heather Wilkinson said: “The future of our world is in the hands of individuals who are committed to generating commercial and ethical returns.  Challenging economic times can offer opportunities to question the way we operate as both a business community and a society. We are profiling the ‘Future 100′ young entrepreneurs who are changing the face of everyday business and improve commerce’s impact on the wider world.”

The Future 100 awards, encourages and rewards extraordinary vision, ethical business practice and social responsibility. They aim to showcase businesses that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to social problems. The Future 100 Awards is organized by Striding Out www.stridingout.co.uk, a social enterprise which is committed to supporting the development and growth of young and ethical entrepreneurs.

Yesterday, I went down to London to do a speech and collect my Future 100 award. At first, it felt surreal being in a large filled room of southerne sounding and smart- looking business people (thank God I’d changed into a black dress rather than my red number). Nonetheless, in my heels its always hard to blend in with the crowd but I’m starting to get used to being different – I think that’s where being a bellydancer helps.

After a nice evening’s networking with other social entrepreneurs and meeting Angela Smith (Cabinet member for the third sector), we then clambered back to St P’s for our bowls of Hot choc at Pain Quotidien and large fluffy cupcakes – these always make it worth the journey.