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Support Play Worcester
Believe in our vision for making Worcester a playful city and giving children the right to play? You might be an educator, parent, artist, academic, campaigner, or former child- we'd love your perspective. You might want to volunteer to be part of one of our campaign groups; support with social media; contribute to research or become a board member if you have more time to give.
Play Worcester Trustees
Nicola Stobbs
Phil Weston OBE
Nicola Stobbs
Niki became a member of Play Worcester (formerly Worcester Play Council) in 2021 and was elected Chair in 2024.
Paul Edwards
Phil Weston OBE
Nicola Stobbs
Paul is community engagement officer at Platform Housing Group. He has wide experience of working with a number of community groups across the city.
Phil Weston OBE
Phil Weston OBE
Michelle Buckland
Phil has championed opportunities for young people for over 40 years, particularly in his role at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club. He brings this vast experience to Play Worcester.
Michelle Buckland
Michelle Buckland
Michelle Buckland
Michelle brings over 30 years of experience dedicated to children’s
development and play. In her role for Action for Children, she supports children and families both in Family Hubs and out in the community.
Sarah Walton
Michelle Buckland
Sarah Walton
Kate Collier
Michelle Buckland
Sarah Walton
Kate has a background in educational leadership in primary schools. She also has extensive experience of leading and developing training for people working with children in a variety of settings.
Play Worcester Board Members
Rachel Salter
Dr Emma Laurence
Dr Emma Laurence
Rachel is a mum of two, a Home Educator and a Forest School practitioner. She has a background in Community Development and is passionate about how play allows people to explore and connect. Rachel is Play Worcester's play street pioneer! She is on hand to share her experiences and support others in making space to play.
Dr Emma Laurence
Dr Emma Laurence
Dr Emma Laurence
Dr Emma Laurence is a Director of the Social Pedagogy Professional Association and a lecturer in the Department for Children and Families at the University of Worcester where she heads the Early Childhood programme. With a background in educational leadership, systems change, and social pedagogy, Emma works at the intersection of research
Dr Emma Laurence is a Director of the Social Pedagogy Professional Association and a lecturer in the Department for Children and Families at the University of Worcester where she heads the Early Childhood programme. With a background in educational leadership, systems change, and social pedagogy, Emma works at the intersection of research, practice, and policy to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Dave Woodward
Dr Emma Laurence
Georgina Howden
Dave is a senior lecturer in Secondary Physical Education at University of Worcester. His research interests includeFundamental Movement Skills in Secondary Education and he has also been working on a joint project with Jane Sisk on Lego Serious Play - Lego® Serious Play™ as a teaching method for reflective practice and professional development with secondary initial teacher training students.
Georgina Howden
Georgina Howden
Georgina Howden
Georgina is a specialist play practitioner. After having worked as a play specialist in hospital, she then moved into working in a special education needs, disability and mental health school. Georgina is passionate about using the power of play to give children a safe and fun way to express themselves, help manage their feelings, and bui
Georgina is a specialist play practitioner. After having worked as a play specialist in hospital, she then moved into working in a special education needs, disability and mental health school. Georgina is passionate about using the power of play to give children a safe and fun way to express themselves, help manage their feelings, and build confidence. She is also the OPAL parent rep at her children's' school.
Thérèse Hoyle
Georgina Howden
Thérèse Hoyle
Thérèse Hoyle is founder of Thérèse Hoyle Consultancies Ltd.
Thérèse supports primary schools to dramatically improve the quality of day-to-day play times and lunchtimes, with a consequent beneficial impact on lunchtime behaviour, engagement, learning, social, emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing.
She is recognised as one of
Thérèse Hoyle is founder of Thérèse Hoyle Consultancies Ltd.
Thérèse supports primary schools to dramatically improve the quality of day-to-day play times and lunchtimes, with a consequent beneficial impact on lunchtime behaviour, engagement, learning, social, emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing.
She is recognised as one of the world’s leading training providers of playtime and lunchtime programmes with her ‘How to Be a Lunchtime Supervisor Superhero’ workshop, Positive Playtime Essentials and Award Programme, and Positive Playtime Online Academy.
Thérèse has over 25 years’ experience in education and has worked as a teacher, education consultant, coach, wellbeing adviser and trainer with over 1,500 schools and organisations.
She is author of 101 Playground Games 2nd edition, 101 Wet Playtime Games, How to be a Peaceful School (Contributing author) and The Big Book of Whole School Wellbeing, (co-editor and contributing author)
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