About Us — Work+Play Hub

Where it began

She said out loud: there should be a place that fixes this.

The problem was never just one thing. That is exactly why it had gone unsolved for so long.

For working mothers with young children, four problems exist simultaneously. The financial reality that childcare costs so much that returning to work makes no economic sense. The practical reality that nowhere is designed for someone with a baby, a breastfeeding schedule, and an unpredictable day.

The emotional reality that your child needs to be close, not across the city with people you do not yet trust. And the personal reality that the longer you are away from your professional life, the harder it becomes to find your way back.

"Every existing solution addresses one of these at a time. A nursery solves the childcare problem but not the workspace problem. A coworking space solves the workspace problem but assumes the childcare problem is already solved. A café solves neither."

Work+Play Hub was built to solve all four, simultaneously, under one roof, on your terms. Because the reason this problem persisted for so long was not that the solution was impossible. It was that no one had built it yet.

At a swimming lesson, our founder spotted a close friend hunched over a laptop balanced on her knees, in a noisy public space, chasing a deadline while her husband was home with the kids, preparing to leave for work. A woman nearby — a stranger, with a baby on her lap and her own laptop open — looked up and said: "What a dream. Do you have an address?" She thought it already existed. It did not. So we built it.

What we offer

Everything under one roof.

Work+Play Hub was built because every existing solution addressed one problem at a time. We address all of them — simultaneously, in a single session.

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01 — Flexible Coworking

Professional desk space. On your terms.

A proper workspace — not a café table, not your kitchen. Pay by the hour, no contract, no minimum. Hot desks, dedicated desks, and business services all available.

See pricing & options →

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02 — Froebelian Crèche

Your child, a few steps away.

Staffed by qualified Early Childhood Educators trained in Froebelian methodology in partnership with the University of Edinburgh. Children 0–5 welcome, up to 4 hours per session.

See pricing & options →

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03 — Employability & Mental Health Support

You don't have to do it alone.

CV support, job signposting, interview prep, and benefits advice — all at no extra cost. And Mental Health support to back it up.

Find out more →

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04 — Community & Programmes

Come for the desk. Stay for the community.

Workshops, networking, family-friendly events, and the Inclusion Fund — because no one should be turned away for financial reasons.

See all services →

Our approach to early years

What is Froebelian practice — and why does it matter?

Froebel believed that play is the highest expression of human development in childhood. Our crèche is built on that conviction — not as a slogan, but as a method, delivered by qualified practitioners and underpinned by real academic partnership with the University of Edinburgh.

Compared to traditional crèche environments, Froebelian practice prioritises child-led exploration, natural materials, holistic development, and cognitive growth through open-ended play.

The Froebelian principles we work by

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Child-led explorationChildren direct their own learning through curiosity, not instruction.

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Natural materialsReal, tactile, open-ended resources that support imagination and discovery.

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Holistic developmentSocial, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth — treated as inseparable.

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Community and belongingThe child as part of a wider community — not just a unit in a room.

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University of Edinburgh partnershipOur practitioners are trained through the Froebelian Futures Programme.

What we stand for

Five values. All of them non-negotiable.

Human-centredness

Every decision begins with the same question: does this serve the parent and child in front of us? Not the funder, not the model, not the metric. The person in the room comes first.

Accessibility by design

No long contracts, no minimum commitments, no financial barriers that price out the people who need us most. Built for everyone, not just those who can afford to plan ahead.

Integrity of the child's experience

Every child in our crèche is actively learning and developing through play, guided by qualified Froebelian practitioners trained in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.

Community over transaction

Members come for the desk and the crèche. They stay because the hub is a place where people who understand their reality gather, support each other, and grow together.

Advocacy as responsibility

We exist as proof that a better system is possible. Speaking up for maternity rights, parental flexibility, and early years investment is not separate from our work. It is part of it.

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Scotland's first integrated coworking & early years hub.

We built what didn't exist. And we're just getting started.

The people behind it

A small team with a very large purpose.

Karina de Sousa

Founder & Director

Mother, social entrepreneur, scientist, and the person who decided someone had to build the place that didn't exist. Karina leads strategy, partnerships, events, and advocacy for Work+Play Hub.

Anna Michna

Trustee

Anna, with her background in digital marketing, brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to communication, helping Work+Play Hub meaningfully grow its voice and reach.

Marina Cordeiro

Trustee

As co-founder of a wellbeing practice delivering complementary healing approaches, Marina brings a calm, holistic perspective to the team, grounded in the importance of feeling supported and seen.

Kristina Konstantoni

Trustee

Kristina brings deep expertise in early years education and a strong commitment to children’s rights and equity. Her work helps ensure that everything we do is rooted in what truly benefits children.

Dora Tomaz

Trustee

Dora brings a practical, grounded perspective shaped by her experience in public service and mental health practice. She supports us with thoughtful decision-making and a steady focus on people.

Poppy Richards

Family Arts Programme Lead

Poppy creates and delivers engaging, creative activities for children while creating a sense of wonder and personal expression.

Wendy Laidlaw

Early Years Practitioner

Wendy brings warmth, expertise, and genuine care to every session in the crèche. Trained in Froebelian methodology in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers are the quiet heartbeat of Work+Play Hub, showing up with generosity, care, and a genuine commitment to the families we serve.

Built because
the place didn't exist yet.

She said out loud: there should be a place that fixes this.