In the spring of 2022, during my first maternity leave, I found myself navigating the early days of motherhood in a world still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local services in Newbury were slow to recover, and like many new mothers, I felt the weight of isolation. That’s when I discovered Educafe.
Every Wednesday at 11am, a vibrant group of mothers gathered at Educafe’s Parent Village, babies in tow, to connect, share, and support one another. What struck me immediately was the sense of community—diverse, welcoming, and deeply collaborative. As a researcher in leadership and organisation studies, I couldn’t help but think: this is where leadership happens. Not in boardrooms, but on colourful carpets, where women come together to lift each other up.
from curiosity to social impact
Educafe didn’t just offer a space—it offered inspiration. It was here that the idea for my Motherhood research project was born. As my maternity leave drew to a close, I realised I was the only one in my group returning to work full-time. Curious, I looked into the data and found that only 1 in 3 mothers in the UK return to full-time work after childbirth. I wanted to understand why.
With the support of Educafe’s Parents’ Village, we conducted a pilot study, interviewing 30 mothers with early years aged children. This grassroots research led to a larger project titled ‘Diverse Motherhood for Work Inclusion’, supported by the Open Societal Challenge. Together with colleagues at the Open University, we developed a Return-to-Work Toolkit to support parents (who want to work) especially mothers facing the transition back to work. In collaboration with the Department for Work & Pensions, the Return-to-Work Toolkit is being used in over 260 Jobcentre locations across England.
And it all started at Educafe.
This journey has been a unique experience of engaged research—embedded in the everyday, grounded in lived experience, and powered by community. Educafe is more than a service provider; it’s a catalyst for change, a place where leadership is practiced in its most authentic form. I’m truly grateful for the role it has been playing in my journey.
a big thank you to wenjin
“We’re incredibly proud that Educafe’s Parents’ Village could serve as both a sanctuary and a spark for such meaningful, community-led research. Wenjin’s story is a powerful example of how inclusive spaces can unlock hidden leadership and lived insight that often go unheard. Her work not only amplifies the voices of mothers in transition—it’s shaping national practice. We’re honoured to have supported the early stages of this journey and look forward to helping promote the research and toolkit as they continue to make a real difference to families across the UK.”
— Clare Middleton & Janine Ford, Directors, Educafe CIC
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