A Kettering mum is turning her own experience of motherhood and isolation into a new community space where families can play, meet others and feel at home.
Elliott’s Play Cafe, a brand-new family space founded by local mum Sarah Elliott, will officially open its doors at The Yards, Kettering on Monday 31 August 2026.
Before then, local families are invited to celebrate at a special launch party on Saturday 29 August, when the Mayor of Kettering will officially open Elliott’s Play Cafe. Families are welcome to visit the space and find out more about Elliott’s story from 1pm.
But for Sarah, Elliott’s is about much more than somewhere for children to play and parents to enjoy a coffee.
A mum of three, Sarah found herself looking for work that would fit around her children. She struggled to find something locally that offered the flexibility she needed, while also allowing her to use her passions, skills and experience.
At the same time, Sarah’s own experience of mental health challenges during motherhood gave her a different perspective on just how isolating becoming a parent can sometimes feel.
Sarah grew up in a large, close-knit family, where love, laughter and spending time together were at the heart of family life. She feels incredibly lucky to have had that throughout her childhood – but becoming a parent herself made her realise that not everyone has the same experience.
And that realisation became the inspiration for Elliott’s.
“I’ve always known how important it is to have people around you who make you feel loved and accepted. Growing up in a big family, that sense of belonging was something I was incredibly lucky to experience every day.
“When I became a mum myself, I realised just how different that experience can be. There were times when I felt isolated and struggled to find the help and reassurance I needed, and it made me think about how many other parents might be feeling the same way.
“I wanted to create the kind of place that I would have wanted to walk into on those difficult days – somewhere you can come exactly as you are, without judgement, where your children can have fun and you can simply be around other people. That’s the heart of Elliott’s.”
Sarah’s vision is to create a space where everyone is welcome – somewhere families can come to play, take a breath, meet new people and feel that they belong.
The café’s ethos is centred around creating a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for all, recognising that while becoming a parent can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences, it can also be incredibly hard.
“Becoming a parent is hard enough. Knowing there’s somewhere you can go makes all the difference.”
Sarah hopes Elliott’s will become more than simply a place to visit. She wants it to become part of the fabric of the local community – a place where friendships can begin, conversations can happen, children can have fun and parents can enjoy a little time for themselves.
Come and celebrate with us
The Elliott’s team is inviting local families to come along to the official launch party on Saturday 29 August from 1-2pm and be among the first to explore the new café and play space.
The Mayor of Kettering will officially open Elliott’s Play Cafe, with families invited to look around, discover what Elliott’s has to offer and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for the local community.
Members of the local press are also warmly invited to attend the launch, meet Sarah and the Elliott’s team, explore the new space and hear the story behind the café.
Elliott’s Play Cafe will then officially open to the public on Monday 31 August 2026.
Elliott’s Play Café
The Yards, Kettering
Launch party: Saturday 29 August 2026
Official opening: Mayor of Kettering at 10am
Open to the public: Monday 31 August 2026
