Giggle Garden Play Cafe Start Up

Aim

To help with the start up costs for a soft play cafe in Upminster something local on the high street. Cost of mainframe, works to shopfront

My Story/Dream — Why Giggle Garden Play Café Means Everything To Me

Some days, being a mum of young children feels magical.
Other days, it feels lonely, overwhelming, and exhausting.

I remember desperately wishing for somewhere I could go with my little ones — somewhere safe, clean, warm and welcoming, where they could play and I could just breathe for a moment. Somewhere I didn’t feel judged if my baby cried. Somewhere my toddler could run safely and freely. Somewhere I could sit with a coffee and feel like me again, not just “mum”.

But those places were hard to find.

Too many spaces are overcrowded, expensive, unsuitable for babies and toddlers, or simply don’t cater properly for children under five. And when you’re in the thick of early parenthood, having nowhere to go can make the days feel even heavier.

That’s where my dream began.

I decided I didn’t just want to find a place like that…
I wanted to create one.

Giggle Garden Play Café will be an enchanted forest–themed soft play café designed especially for children under five and the adults who care for them. A place filled with warmth, woodland magic, gentle play and cosy corners. A space where little ones can grow in confidence, make friends and explore safely — and where parents can relax, connect and feel supported.

This won’t just be a café or a soft play centre.

It will be a safe haven for families.
A space for first friendships.
A place where young parents don’t feel invisible.
A community hub where mums, dads, grandparents and carers can talk, laugh and feel less alone.

But I can’t do this on my own.

Every donation made will directly help build something special for families in our community. Your support will fund essential safety equipment, play structures, décor, furniture, sensory features and the little touches that make a big difference in a child’s world.

Your donation helps:
• Create a safe space for little ones to play
• Give parents somewhere to rest and reset
• Reduce isolation for families with young children
• Build community connections
• Make life a little easier during the hardest years
• Give local families an affordable place to go
• Provide joy, comfort and belonging

As a mum running this dream alone, every pound truly matters. Every contribution, no matter the size, pushes Giggle Garden closer to opening its doors. What you give today doesn’t just help start a business — it helps build something meaningful that will touch hundreds of lives for years to come.

If you’ve ever had a long day with a baby, a toddler meltdown in public, or wished for somewhere that simply gets it, then you already understand why this matters.

And if you’re in a position to help — please know that your kindness will ripple through so many families.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey, for believing in me, and for helping create something beautiful for our community.

With love and gratitude,

Gabrielle

This project closed unsuccessfully on 21st March 2026