Grant – Holiday Club Captain
Grant is our gentle giant and long-standing Holiday Club Captain, now in his fifth year with Practically Family. A semi-professional basketball player with serious skills on the court, he earns instant cool points with the Clubbers.
One of the first smiling faces you’ll see each morning, Grant keeps everything running smoothly while making sure the children have an absolute ball.
One of the first smiling faces you’ll see each morning, Grant keeps everything running smoothly while making sure the children have an absolute ball.
Sophie - Holiday Club Captain
Sophie is the creative force behind Practically Family and one of our Holiday Club Captains. A qualified teacher with a huge imagination and an even bigger love for letting kids be kids, she’s happiest when things are a little muddy, a little messy and full of laughter.
Whether she’s leading a treasure hunt or joining the dance party, Sophie is all about making sure every child leaves with a story to tell.
Whether she’s leading a treasure hunt or joining the dance party, Sophie is all about making sure every child leaves with a story to tell.
Tash - Crew Leader
Tash is our resident wild child, bursting with energy and always first on the inflatables or leading the water fights.
Fresh from completing her Master’s degree, she somehow still finds time to sing live around Manchester and play netball four nights a week. With her infectious laugh and endless enthusiasm, she keeps the whole Club buzzing.
Fresh from completing her Master’s degree, she somehow still finds time to sing live around Manchester and play netball four nights a week. With her infectious laugh and endless enthusiasm, she keeps the whole Club buzzing.
Ashlyn – Crew Leader
Ashlyn is in her second year with Practically Family and brings a brilliant mix of sporty energy and creative flair.
With experience working in nurseries and a background in tennis and hockey (including England trials!), she’s always up for an active challenge. When she’s not leading the charge on inflatable day, you’ll probably find her crafting, scrapbooking or planning future adventures travelling around Australia.
With experience working in nurseries and a background in tennis and hockey (including England trials!), she’s always up for an active challenge. When she’s not leading the charge on inflatable day, you’ll probably find her crafting, scrapbooking or planning future adventures travelling around Australia.
Jacob – Crew Leader
Jacob is currently training to be a teacher after studying English Literature, so he’s never far from a good book or a great story.
A talented footballer and keen hiker, he’s always up for an adventure, but his favourite activities at Club involve slime, science experiments and a bit of controlled chaos.
Fun fact: Jacob once spent a summer working as an au pair in the South of France.
A talented footballer and keen hiker, he’s always up for an adventure, but his favourite activities at Club involve slime, science experiments and a bit of controlled chaos.
Fun fact: Jacob once spent a summer working as an au pair in the South of France.
Alex T – Crew Leader
Alex is a qualified primary school teacher and swim teacher and is now in his fifth year with Practically Family.
Our resident comedian and all-round big kid, Alex loves to make people laugh and his dry humour is wonderfully infectious. His happy-go-lucky nature also means he stays calm as a cucumber, making him exactly the person you want around in high-energy situations.
Our resident comedian and all-round big kid, Alex loves to make people laugh and his dry humour is wonderfully infectious. His happy-go-lucky nature also means he stays calm as a cucumber, making him exactly the person you want around in high-energy situations.
Emily E - Early Years Leader
Emily is a qualified Early Years Teacher who has been working with children since graduating in 2017.
A trained Zumba Kids instructor, she loves music, dancing and bringing big energy to club, especially during the legendary discos. When she’s not getting messy with crafts, Emily enjoys walking in nature, stargazing and following women’s football (she even travelled around Switzerland to watch England win the Euros!).
A trained Zumba Kids instructor, she loves music, dancing and bringing big energy to club, especially during the legendary discos. When she’s not getting messy with crafts, Emily enjoys walking in nature, stargazing and following women’s football (she even travelled around Switzerland to watch England win the Euros!).
Shaz - Sports Leader
Shaz is in his second year with Practically Family and brings huge energy to everything sport-related.
Currently a PE teacher in training and student manager, he has years of experience coaching young people through football and youth programmes. When he’s not organising epic games on the pitch, you might find him gardening, running or watching a good film.
Fun fact: Shaz is also an amateur boxer.
Currently a PE teacher in training and student manager, he has years of experience coaching young people through football and youth programmes. When he’s not organising epic games on the pitch, you might find him gardening, running or watching a good film.
Fun fact: Shaz is also an amateur boxer.
Olivia - Sports Leader
Olivia is studying Sports and Exercise Science and is a semi-professional rugby player, so she knows a thing or two about teamwork and determination.
With several coaching qualifications and plenty of experience working with children, she loves helping Clubbers build confidence while having loads of fun. Her favourite moments at Club always involve big games out on the pitches.
With several coaching qualifications and plenty of experience working with children, she loves helping Clubbers build confidence while having loads of fun. Her favourite moments at Club always involve big games out on the pitches.
Matthew - Practically Wild Leader and SEND Specialist
Matthew is a qualified teacher and SEND specialist who is passionate about helping children explore, learn and build confidence outdoors.
Whether he’s organising woodland adventures or teaching the finer points of chess, he brings a thoughtful and adventurous spirit to club. A big rugby fan and former Paris resident, Matthew always has plenty of stories to share around the campfire.
Whether he’s organising woodland adventures or teaching the finer points of chess, he brings a thoughtful and adventurous spirit to club. A big rugby fan and former Paris resident, Matthew always has plenty of stories to share around the campfire.
Sarah - Early Years Leader
Sarah is a fully qualified Early Years Practitioner and Primary School Teaching Assistant with experience working with children from just six months old right up to Year 6.
She loves bringing creativity and imagination into play, especially through junk modelling and outdoor adventures. Whether she’s plane spotting, getting steps in on a long walk or leading a sing-along (even slightly out of tune!), Sarah brings warmth, energy and a big sense of fun to club.
She loves bringing creativity and imagination into play, especially through junk modelling and outdoor adventures. Whether she’s plane spotting, getting steps in on a long walk or leading a sing-along (even slightly out of tune!), Sarah brings warmth, energy and a big sense of fun to club.
Selo - Early Years Leader and SEND Specialist
Selo has been working with children since 2008 and brings a huge wealth of knowledge and experience to Practically Family.
She holds a BA in Early Years and Childhood Education, a Master’s Degree in Childhood and Youth Education Studies and is also an Early Years SENCO.
She loves creating inclusive activities where every child feels valued and able to shine and has a particular passion for storytelling and celebrating different cultures through play. Outside of club, Selo enjoys gardening, shopping and spending time with her family and she is currently working on launching a SEND hub to support children in Africa, a project very close to her heart.
She holds a BA in Early Years and Childhood Education, a Master’s Degree in Childhood and Youth Education Studies and is also an Early Years SENCO.
She loves creating inclusive activities where every child feels valued and able to shine and has a particular passion for storytelling and celebrating different cultures through play. Outside of club, Selo enjoys gardening, shopping and spending time with her family and she is currently working on launching a SEND hub to support children in Africa, a project very close to her heart.
Coming up! 'EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA' Holiday Club, Monday 30th March - Friday 10th April 2026
Practically Family
07939 942334 (during Holiday Club weeks only)
