An Oldham mother has left behind a career in teaching to set up her own business specialising in home organising, in a move which she describes as doing something for herself.

Amy Snape has been a primary school teacher for 18 years but is now going for a drastic career change as she looks to help people declutter and reorganise their homes.

The process is one which can be seen in the BBC show Sort Your Life Out, which Amy spent some time working on.

The 48-year-old from High Crompton said she was "always tidy as a kid", due in large part to her father's OCD which she grew up witnessing.

The Oldham Times: Amy has always had an interest in the industryAmy has always had an interest in the industry (Image: Amy Snape)

Amy taught at Blackshaw Lane Primary School in Royton but was inspired to enter the home organising industry after learning more about the profession.

The mother-of-two read Japanese organising consultant Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and watched Get Organised with The Home Edit on Netflix, after which she said "this is the job for me".

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Amy secured a space on a course offered by Dilly Carter, a consultant on Sort Your Life Out, which led to her working as part of the warehouse team on the BBC show.

The Oldham Times: Amy said she chooses an area as a priority to begin withAmy said she chooses an area as a priority to begin with (Image: Amy Snape)

Speaking about her time on the show, Amy said: "It was a great experience, we were sorting stuff out for families.

"I saw the show when it aired and it was quite emotional."

Now, Amy has set up her own business, Sort With Snape, and she is looking to help families in and around Oldham as businesses like hers are not as common in the Northwest as they are in the south.

The Oldham Times: Amy and the family will go through what can be gotten rid ofAmy and the family will go through what can be gotten rid of (Image: Amy Snape)

Speaking about her business, she said: "I go into a home where the family is overwhelmed with clutter and mess.

"Some may have mental health issues, some have no time, others may have kids.

"We choose an area of priority, empty and declutter the area and get rid of stuff they don't need or want."

The Oldham Times: Many people face issues with mess and clutter for different reasonsMany people face issues with mess and clutter for different reasons (Image: Amy Snape)

Once Amy clears a room, she reorganises it in a way so that "it flows and makes sense". 

Amy's final day as a teacher came on Wednesday, December 20, and she said that saying goodbye would be "emotional" and that she would "miss the children".

The Oldham Times: Amy says businesses like hers are rare in the NorthwestAmy says businesses like hers are rare in the Northwest (Image: Amy Snape)

However, she said that now is the time for her to take this next step in her life.

Amy said: "It's time to do something for myself, I thought 'just do it if you believe in yourself'."

Sort With Snape can be found online and Amy offers consultations for people who may be interested.