Val Chadwick – Chair
Val is our Chair and she’ll be adding more details about her role very soon!

Liz Asher – Senior Manager
I am the senior manager here at Playworks, and have the privilege of heading up a very talented and hard working staff team!  Throughout my professional career I have been involved in regeneration, firstly as a Manager with Jobcentre Plus and then as a Manager for a Local Area Partnership.  My role involves securing the funding to continue Playworks’ vital services and projects, managing the organisation on a day to day basis and ensuring that we have all the required policies and procedures in place to operate efficiently.  I am heavily involved in both the play sector and children’s and young people’s services at a strategic level, ensuring that the profile of play and Playworks is raised at a local, regional and national level.  I also ensure that Playworks works in partnership with other organisations.

Laura Summers
My role is varied, but definitely one of the best jobs I have had. I have worked previously for community engagement within museums, and this role here at Playworks is still very community oriented. My role involves raising the profile of play and Playworks within Nottingham and further afield, developing and supporting community groups and planning, delivering and attending community events. I coordinate and support volunteers here at Playworks, as well as organise our Play Action Network and BME Play Development Network meetings and produce our quarterly Play News.

Ellen Smith
I’m responsible for the Scrapstore here at Playworks! I have spent the last ten years working in Scrapstores and work with a team of volunteers managing the sourcing of materials, collections, storage, processing materials, Scrapstore stock and Art Shop stock. I also run workshops at events and settings across the city, building scrap sculptures and more to raise the profile of Playworks and recycling!

Wendy Russell
My role is to seek out suitable placements for volunteers wanting to go into play work, and to provide them with information and support on current jobs and training. I work with settings and volunteers to ensure placements are suitable and rewarding. Alongside this I organise training for our volunteers in areas such as safeguarding, first aid, basic introduction to play work, and creative play training. This training allows our volunteers to gain confidence in providing play, whilst supporting their placements with up to date knowledge of play work, policy and health and safety.

Linda Freeman – Administrator
Mine is one of the first faces you will see if you visit Playworks on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday as these are the days I am on Reception. I also work behind the scenes ensuring Playworks is a safe place for the staff and public alike by ensuring that the building is in good repair, and health and safety procedures are carried out. Tania and I work together, along with volunteers, to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of Playworks.

Tania Massey
Hello, I am one of the Playworks Administrators. If you’re coming to our building for a meeting, training or room hire I‘ll make sure you feel welcome and know where you are going. If you are here to use the Scrapstore for the first time, I’ll take you through the membership process and if you are an existing member I’ll ensure Scrapstore staff and volunteers know your here! I deal with enquires from the public, manage our important databases; support our volunteers, and the rest of the Playworks team, in their day-to-day roles. 

Phil Evans
I have worked in Play for the last 15 years, starting as a Playworker/Playleader at various out of school clubs. I have also been a tutor for play during this time.  My energy and commitment has not wavered in all that time and I believe my sense of fun and my satisfaction are still the same as it was when I worked face to face every day with the children…..just with more knowledge. I hope our training programme inspires as well as informs you. I can also deliver in-house training, such as safeguarding and play therapy to name a few, so get in touch!