Little Lives UK

Little Lives UK is a UK-based charity organization that focuses on serving children and young people with special needs. The organization provides support and activities (including many leisure activities) via charity projects that help to develop skills and abilities needed by these children to participate fully in society. Little Lives UK currently operates a charity shop in London to help fund those activities.

History

The charity organization was founded in 2015 by Little Lives. The Two co-founders were looking for a way to serve children with special needs in London through specific, actionable programs. Little Lives officially received its charity registration from the UK government in 2015.

Values

Little Lives UK is dedicated to a more stable and healthy future for children who may face developmental challenges. Little Lives UK helps children and young people by providing support and activities, including leisure and rehabilitation activities. The goal is to help these young people advance in life and achieve their full potential.

Activities

As of August 2017, Little Lives UK operates three specific programs designed to help children: Help Lea To Sit On Her Own, To See Lucas Walk and a Makaton Training Course.

Little Lives UK operates a charity thrift shop in London. Proceeds from sales of gently used items donated by families and individuals in London are then used to fund the three charitable programs. A home collection service picks up items from homes in North West and South West London.

In addition, Little Lives UK operates a Gift Aid-approved charitable giving program, in which individuals can make monetary gift donations to the organization on a recurring basis.

Media attention for Lea Jensen

In 2017, Little Lives UK received attention in the media for its work in the successful rehabilitation of Lea Jensen, a five-year-old girl who was born early at 30 months and had to bleed on her brain. From the age of 9 months on, Lea had serious brain damage which affected the use of her arms and legs. As part of the project Help Lea to Sit On Her Own, Little Lives UK raised sufficient funding for physical therapy and rehabilitation, and Lee's parents now expect her to walk and stand.

Volunteer program

Starting in 2017, Little Lives UK launched a new volunteer program designed to get Londoners of all ages involved in the charitable projects and the operation of the charity shop.