At Amy’s House, every smile, every achievement, and every moment of joy tells a story. We’re proud to support children, young people, and their families by providing a safe space where additional needs are embraced, and individuals are given the chance to thrive.
Whether it’s helping a child build confidence, supporting parents with much-needed respite, or guiding young adults towards greater independence, the impact of our work reaches far beyond our walls.
For many families, Amy’s House is more than a short break or a day session, it’s a lifeline. It’s a place where children feel free to be themselves, where parents find peace of mind, and where friendships are made.
We work closely with families, schools, councils, and care professionals to ensure every child and young adult gets the personalised support they deserve. Our inclusive, therapeutic approach doesn’t just meet immediate needs, it also helps shape brighter futures.
Our story
Amy’s House began with a family who knew, first-hand, how challenging life could be when caring for a child with additional needs and how isolating it felt when there was nowhere to turn for support.
In the late 1990s, Morris and Meriel Littlewood watched their daughter, Jayne, navigate the exhausting and emotional daily reality of caring for her youngest daughter, Molly, who was born with severe special needs. At that time, there were no local respite services, out-of-school clubs, or safe spaces.
Then, in 1999, tragedy struck when Jayne’s eldest daughter, Amy, sadly passed away after contracting Meningococcal Septicaemia (Meningitis B). Faced with unimaginable grief, the Littlewood family chose to channel their loss into something positive and create a lasting legacy that would honour Amy’s memory while supporting children like her sister Molly.
In 2003, Morris and Meriel founded Amy’s House. What started as a small, family-driven initiative quickly became a vital service for families across Sheffield. The goal was simple but powerful - to create a safe, inclusive environment where children with additional needs could play, learn, and thrive, while giving parents respite.
In 2011, the family faced yet another devastating loss when Molly passed away. Determined to keep both Amy and Molly’s memories alive, the Littlewoods expanded their vision and launched Molly’s Mates, a dedicated service supporting older children and young adults with additional needs as they build life skills, independence, and friendships.
Today, Amy’s House has grown into a lifeline for countless families but it still holds true to the values it was founded on.
Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers are passionate about supporting every child, young person, and family who walks through our doors. At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal - to bring joy to every child’s day.
Help us make a difference
Every donation, fundraiser, and shared story helps us continue our work and reach more families who need support.
If you’d like to get involved, support our services, or simply learn more about what we do, we’d love to hear from you.