About us
Wolves Play Cafe was founded in 2018 by mum and daughter Helen and Lisa with a passion for play and Wolverhampton!
Current opportunities
We are looking for an enthusiastic Play Champion to join us our playful team this Autumn!
The Play Champion is an important role at Wolves Play Cafe, responsible for supporting our varied play projects through social media management, website updates, marketing and Play For All inclusion approaches to maintain and raise the profile, sales and brand of the organisation.
Download the Play Champion Application Pack here and return to info@wolvesplaycafe.org.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further, please contact us to arrange a chat.
Applications open: Friday 16th October
Applications close: Friday 6th November 5pm
Interviews: w/c Monday 8th November
Meet the team
Helen
PLAY LEADER, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
Helen is an Early Years Specialist (BSC, PGCE) with over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading Early Years in local Wolverhampton schools.
She also has 3 years’ experience as a Childline counsellor and a trained mental health first aider. She is committed to quality fun play sessions and support for young children, parents and caregivers in her home-town, leading on Early Years planning, training and delivery of play sessions, community partnerships and financial management.
Lisa
PLAY INVESTOR, PLAY EXPLORER, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
Lisa has over 15 years’ experience of working with children and in operational management.
Lisa has enjoyed Playwork in Wolverhampton, managing informal learning settings including Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, receiving in MA Res. in Children’s Literature and welcoming her own little cubs in 2021 and 2025. She is committed to quality fun play sessions and support for young children, parents and caregivers in her home-town, working on developing partnerships, funding and income opportunities and organisational strategy.
Louise
PLAY EXPLORER, PLAY ORGANISER, CAFE LEAD AND DIRECTOR
Louise first visited Wolves Play Cafe with her little cub in summer 2020.
Caroline
PLAY LEADER
Caroline is a qualified teacher with a BA Hons. and over 20 years’ experience teaching in Early Years in Primary Schools and joined the team in 2026.
Since leaving the classroom Caroline has worked on environmental and horticultural projects in schools, community centres and community garden spaces where her passion for education and nature combine. Caroline also brings her skills as a printmaker in delivering creative workshops for both children and adults inspired by nature to her role at Wolves Play Cafe.
Karielle
PLAY LEADER
Karielle completed a degree in Early Childhood Studies in 2024 due to her passion for the Early Years. Alongside this, Karielle has 4 years experience working directly within the Early Years at local nurseries.
Karielle joined the team as a Play Leader at Wolves Play Cafe in May 2024 and thoroughly enjoys getting to know the parents and families of the little explorers that join our sessions and facilitating exploratory play that incorporates everyday items that anyone has access to.
Ruth
PLAY LEADER
Ruth
PLAY LEADER AND CAFE LEAD
Ruth joined the team in February 2026, and has visited Wolves Play Cafe with her cubs since 2020. She is passionate about inclusion and making experiences accessible.
Ruth brings her experience as a teaching assistant with SEND children to her role, as well as years of experience in supporting families in the city through running sling libraries, breastfeeding support. Her passion for watching imaginative play unfold through free play opportunities, enthusiasm for reusing and recycling approaches to support sustainability and enjoying chatting with other caregivers align with Wolves Play Cafe’s vision.
Paris
PLAY LEADER
Paris has a BA Hons. in Early Childhood & Education, a PGCE in Primary Education and over 7 years’ experience of working as a Primary Teacher with young children in schools and nursery settings, including children with special educational needs.
Paris has a love for the outdoors and first enjoyed coming to Wolves Play Cafe with her own cubs in 2024, joining the team in May 2025. She is passionate about giving children positive play experiences at every opportunity, particularly learning through play outdoors and fostering this love in children from the earliest age in order to help them appreciate the lifelong benefits of this on both physical and mental wellbeing.
Gabby
CAFE ASSISTANT AND PLAY EXPLORER
Gabby is a university student who is currently studying BA Illustration in Worcester and is passionate about her home town of Wolverhampton.
Gabby has been involved in a number of community projects such as Wolverhampton Art Forum and Wolverhampton Youth Council Board. She also volunteers and performs at local events such as the Same Difference Festival. She joined Wolves Play Cafe in the summer of 2026 and has loved meeting lots of new people and learning lots of new things whilst supporting little ones and their caregivers!
Rosie
PLAY LEADER
Rosie is a Play Leader at Wolves Play Cafe who first came to play with her cub in 2022.
As a qualified childminder, outdoor play leader and extensive experience working in both paid and voluntary roles with families locally, nationally and internationally, Rosie is passionate about early years play and recognising the power of play for all. Currently studying to become a Play Therapist, Rosie’s vast experience has been creating a welcoming, inviting play experience for little one and their big ones to enjoy since May 2024.
Nina
PLAY EXPLORER
Nina has experience in fundraising, operational and volunteer management as well as a passion for play in our city! She loves getting to know all our Wolves Play Cafe families and is committed to ensuring everyone is welcome and can take part.
She has personal and professional experience of supporting families with a range of additional needs, particularly through a previous role at the National Deaf Children’s Society.
As a mum of two young boys, Nina brings her parenting and play experience, enthusiasm and ideas to the Play Explorer role and the organisation since April 2023.
Gillian
BOARD DIRECTOR – BUSINESS LEAD
Gillian is an experienced School Business Leader who is passionate about supporting pupils and families.
She has been a Director since December 2019 and specialises in Finance, HR and Health and Safety in the Board , with over 15 years’ experience working within the Education Sector within Wolverhampton and Birmingham., including over 7 years’ experience volunteering as School Director / Governor in a local Multi Academy Trust.
Richard
BOARD DIRECTOR – STRATEGIC LEAD
Richard is a Wolverhampton father of two children who is passionate about supporting young children and parents in the City.
He has been bringing extensive business and strategic management experience to the Board since December 2018, with over 20 years in Engineering roles and is an active community citizen including over 20 years’ experience in coaching and playing in a local Hockey Club including role of Safeguarding Officer.