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.

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.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “I’m really pleased to see the brilliant work IKEA are doing here in Gleadless, in support of our Beds for Babies programme; helping us to guarantee babies and young children across South Yorkshire have a safe place to sleep.

“We have some of the worst health inequalities in the UK, with 1 in 9 newborns in Sheffield alone going home from hospital without a safe place to sleep last year. I refuse to let that stand in South Yorkshire. But we can’t solve bed poverty alone. That is why I’m working with partners from IKEA, our councils, the health service, the charity sector and academics to support families in need, by providing not just a bed or cot or moses basket, but wider support and advice to help with child development, and support with employment and housing.

“I’m genuinely grateful for what IKEA staff have done to this community space, with the refurbishment and wider support for Beds for Babies. I know it’ll be an invaluable asset to the local community.”

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.

Cllr Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Families Committee, 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 Policy 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.”

Hiliary Jenkins, Communities Lead, IKEA UK, ended: “By guaranteeing families who need access to a safe bed, cot or cot bed, we can make a huge difference to education, health and social outcomes later in their lives, as well as reducing the real-life financial pressures facing many families in South Yorkshire. IKEA’s donation to Baby Basics will provide safe sleeping arrangements, including beds, cots, or cot beds, along with essential items such as mattresses, mattress protectors, sleep bags, sheets, and duvets/covers when appropriate. This donation comprises 2,150 IKEA items, benefiting 243 children and their families.”