IKEA renovates community facility in Gleadless Valley

IKEA has used its design expertise, products and co-worker time to renovate a previously under-utilised council-owned space in Sheffield, as part of its commitment to the South Yorkshire Beds for Babies: Safe Place to Sleep Programme.

Led by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, the programme has been designed to tackle inequality in early childhood, with Gleadless Valley one of four pilot locations within South Yorkshire.

As part of the programme, IKEA is working alongside Sheffield Council, Sheffield Hallam University, Baby Basics UK, and Shelter to tackle child poverty levels, reduce pressure on public services, improve childhood development, and reduce infant mortality.

Having sought engagement with residents of Callow Place, 19 coworkers from IKEA Sheffield set about to create a bright and inviting space for children to play, and their families to seek necessary support. Observing that parents wanted to be at floor level with their children, all furniture was designed to be easily moved or stored away to maximise floor space and the kitchen was entirely replaced with new flooring and fitted units.

With the renovation complete, Callow Place can now host a range of classes to support families with young children, including baby weaning, baby massage, breastfeeding, and coffee mornings.

The retailer is also providing additional funding to frontline services making use of the centre, such as Shelter, so people can access resources and the support they need for a better life at home. The funding will enable provision of legal advice and drop-in clinics, such as housing rights awareness sessions and skills for employment. 

Cllr Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Families Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:

“We always say that as a Council we are passionate about making Sheffield a city of hope and aspiration, where everyone can share in its success.

“In all we do we want children and young people, and their family members too, to feel loved, accepted and safe. Having safe spaces like this available to go and nurture those feelings and play and learn together is vital for everyone’s positive development.

“It’s great to see partners come together like this to create such a welcome addition to the community.”

Cllr Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee, said:

“It’s vital that as a Local Authority we do all we can to provide for the needs of the communities we serve.

“Spaces like this enable members of our communities to come and seek support both from members of our staff and their peers to help them with any issues they may be experiencing as parents, carers, family members or just members of the community.

“We’d like as a Council to thank all those who worked hard to renovate this space for the people of Gleadless Valley to use.”

With South Yorkshire seeing some of the starkest health inequalities in the UK, IKEA is also donating £50,000 of sleep essentials to Baby Basics UK – including cots, toddler beds and bedding – for 0–5-year-olds, for use across the region. These items are distributed to children in need, referred by relevant organisations or statutory agencies.

Kiera Guinnane, Community Project Manager at IKEA Sheffield said:

“IKEA’s vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Better homes are integral to this vision, but we know many people in our communities can’t achieve a better home without support.

"Partnering with programmes like the South Yorkshire Beds for Babies: Safe Place to Sleep Programme allows us to look after our neighbours whilst helping to tackle child poverty in South Yorkshire and beyond. The Sheffield project is just one of the steps we are taking to help address these concerns across the UK.”

The Sheffield project will now provide a blueprint for IKEA’s work with the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood – expanding its contribution of support, design expertise and products for babies and young children to six new locations across the UK to help families with young children experiencing the greatest disadvantage.