Grimm & Co, Rotherham's magical apothecary changing lives one story at a time

On Ship Hill in Rotherham sits a shop unlike any other. Grimm & Co describes itself as the "Apothecary to the Magical", stocking remedies, curses, hexes, tonics, potions, cures, spells and elixirs. According to its own playful legend, it was founded in 1148 by Master Graham Grimm. Behind the magic, though, is a very real charity doing important work.

Grimm & Co is a registered charity that helps under-resourced children and young people aged 7 to 18 build confidence and skills in creativity and writing. Its motto is "changing lives one story at a time."

The charity grew out of research. In 2009 its founder, Deborah Bullivant, led a study for Rotherham Council with the University of Sheffield on how creative literacy approaches affected Year 6 SATs results. The Inspire Rotherham model improved results, and she set out to continue the work, drawing inspiration from the Ministry of Stories and Dave Eggers' 826 Valencia.

The Apothecary first opened on 29 February 2016, with sales helping to fund workshops and clubs. The charity bought its Ship Hill premises in March 2020, planning a fantastical Emporium of Stories. Along the way it ran sessions online, at a pop-up at Gulliver's Valley and at temporary homes including the Old Town Hall, before transforming its new building with Lumsden Design.

Its programmes are wonderfully inventive. There are story-making sessions, Laughter Lines for comedy writing, Talking Shop for product development, Missing Memories, out-of-school workshops for 7 to 18 year olds, family learning for children up to six and online activities. Bookings are now open for Ever After, a new role-play space. The charity has also supported Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture 2025.

More than 150 volunteers have supported the organisation, and its workshops have reached over 10,000 children and young people. Grimm & Co is one of three Rotherham organisations to have secured core funding and National Portfolio Organisation status from Arts Council England, and Deborah Bullivant has been appointed a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.

Grimm & Co is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm at Ship Hill, Rotherham S60 2HG. Workshops, shop and volunteering details are on its website.