Support dogs charity gets go-ahead for new HQ

Autism assistance dog, Mandy, is trained to help her client, Alessa, keep calm during moments of stress

A charity which trains support dogs has said that its move to new headquarters was the "most ambitious project" in its history.

Support Dogs has been granted permission by Sheffield City Council to convert an empty warehouse on Herries Road South into office and training space.

Fundraising manager Danny Anderson said the organisation, which was founded 32 years ago, would be able to significantly increase its workload.

Currently, its staff and volunteers train 20 dogs every year, and they hope to increase that number to 50 animals.

Their proposal was to renovate Elsworth House, which is close to Sheffield Wednesday FC's Hillsborough ground.

The new base would have meeting rooms, a reception area and storage for merchandise.

All 15 comments submitted to the council's planning portal regarding the application were in support of it.

The new headquarters will allow the charity to relocate its activities from two separate sites into one larger base

The charity currently works from two separate sites in the city.

Once they are trained, the dogs work with people with a number of medical conditions, including epilepsy and autism.

Mr Anderson said: "There'll be a community space so we can have more group sessions. We will have dedicated rooms for our service users on the epilepsy programme and sensory rooms for children on our autism programme."

The animals can help with household tasks such as dressing, opening doors and picking up objects.

"We will have areas where there will be all sorts of tools and equipment for them to learn those tasks. There will also be outdoor space for the dogs to train and relax in."

Support Dogs intends to purchase the building.

Mr Anderson added: "This is a significant, ambitious project for the charity. Support Dogs relies entirely on voluntary donations and to make this project work, we're going to have to run a number of phased appeals to turn this disused warehouse into something really special so we can help many more lives."