Amy's House

(image take from amyshouse.org)

By Kimberley Perry

Its been two years since the ‘Nearly New Charity Shop’ in Handsworth opened to raise money for ‘Amy’s house’ Charity.

After successfully raising a sufficient amount in just two years the future is looking good for the small local charity shop which aims to give Sheffield's children the chance to ‘laugh, play and learn in a fun and friendly environment.’ 

Amy’s House was set up by Maurice and Meriel Littlewood in the memory of their granddaughter Amy who died at just eight years old from meningitis.

The couple recognised that families and children in their situation needed help and support so decided to set up a facility to help others in need.

(Fundraising Manager Julie Pickering and a shop volunteer)

Amy’s House is a unique facility that offers care for children in Sheffield with special needs including sufferers of Autism, Down’s syndrome and Epilepsy.

Their ethos is give special needs children the chance to have fun. Fundraising manager Julie Pickering said: “It sounds like a basic requirement for a child but unfortunately it is something that a lot of children miss out on because of the special care they need.”

Currently based in Ballifield Primary School, the charity are fundraising for their own premises. Julie said: “We rent rooms at the school so our facilities are limited but we do make the most of what we have.”

The rented rooms are used at weekends where care staff work with the children, encouraging them to join in with fun actives as well as helping them with basic domestic tasks which teaches them the skills needed for a more independent life. 

Although the focus of Amy’s House is the children, the charity also provides support for parents and carers. Fundraiser Maurice Littlewood said: “It gives adults the chance to speak to other adults in their situation, we are the only facility to do this in Sheffield.” 

Handsworth community are highly involved in raising money for the charity.

The charity shop on Handsworth Road sell a wide range of clothing and accessories in which 100% of the money raised goes to the charity.

Julie Pickering said: “We have a number of volunteers to help in the store but were always looking for more.” The community also get involved in a whole host of events including fashion shows, charity golf days and pampering sessions.
Maurice said: “We encourage any form of fundraising, any bit of help is always appreciated.”

(The chairty shop on Handsworth Road)

The local charity aims to extend their facilities by providing an official parent support group, a youth club, to extend opening hours and provide a mother and toddler special needs facility.

Julie Pickering said: “We rely entirely on fundraising, every penny raised goes directly to Amy’s House. We’re very proud of what we have achieved already but theres so much more we could do.”