The SWAPA staff team
SWAPA is staffed by trained Playworkers who help kids realise their potential by helping them to create their own play environments, as well as making sure everyone is safe and happy. SWAPA's team of playworkers are fun, caring and community champions that have our children's best interests in mind.
SWAPA is run by a Management Team of staff supported by our wonderful volunteer trustees and our pool of Playworkers. Scrowl down to meet the team!
Interested in joining the staff team at SWAPA? - Download the Playworker info pack for more information and to apply.
A massive thank you to Francisco de la Mora (a local parent) for his fantastic artwork and support https://www.instagram.com/frandelamoram/
Tilly Hawthorne
Senior Playworker
Management Team
I started working while young, becoming involved in playwork at Laburnum Boat Club and Design and Build (Play).
This gave me valuable experience at a grassroots level, which I have continued to build on during my career, both professionally and personally.
A qualified trainer, forest school leader, youth practitioner, landscaper and multi-trade builder, I'm happiest passing on my knowledge and skills to kids and young people. I can usually be found building play structures or playing with fires at SWAPA.
Tilly oversees everything to do with our play session delivery; from making sure everything is welcoming and ready for fun, that we've got all the resources we need, managing Playworkers, liaising with families and supporting children to make stuff happen and to resolve conflict well.
Jake Milne
Site Manager
Management Team
I started working while young, becoming involved in playwork at Laburnum Boat Club and Design and Build (Play).
This gave me valuable experience at a grassroots level, which I have continued to build on during my career, both professionally and personally.
A qualified trainer, forest school leader, youth practitioner, landscaper and multi-trade builder, I'm happiest passing on my knowledge and skills to kids and young people. I can usually be found building play structures or playing with fires at SWAPA.
Jake oversees site maintenance and develoment at SWAPA- working to make sure that children and young people are as involved as possibile.
Jake also coordnates volunteers supporting with site work including corporate teams, local helpers and community payback teams.
George Van der Byl
Deputy Senior Playworker
Management Team
I wanted to become a playworker in 2019 during my gap year and while studying at university, and haven't left since. I play and write music and love cooking. You're likely to find me playing the piano, cooking with the kids in the kitchen or getting stuck into a table tennis tournament. I enjoy being active with the kids and can easily get lost in a game.
George supports Tilly with play session delivery as well as having a particular eye on SWAPA's kitchen and food provision and playground hires.
Sarah Wilson
Office Manager
Management Team
I have been working on adventure playgrounds since 2012 and with children and young people in other settings before that. I enjoy all aspects of the work - from getting messy, doing woodwork with children or with the staff team, advocating for the importance of children's free play in schools, thinking about the theory and practice of Playwork and supporting staff's reflective practice through to health and safety.
After being the Senior Playworker at SWAPA for 2 years she has now moved out of London but joins the Management Team remotely with an eye on finance, HR, recruitment and generally supporting behind the scenes.
Joel Lewis
Playworker & music producer
I have been a play and youth worker for more than 10 years. I am also a DJ/Music Producer and have always tried to introduce activities involving music. I am leading on SWAPA's music studio where I offer music production and DJ workshops, to help with self expression, social confidence as well as math and hand to eye coordination.
Ebony-Marie Douglin
Playworker
As a disabled person I have always had a passion to work with children and young people with and without disabilities.
I have worked across many play organisations in Hackney, including Hackney Play Association, Hackney Family Backup, The Learning Trust, Evergreen Play Association and the Trinity Centre.
Jess
Playworker & Make
Fern
Playworker
Playworker
Sebastian
Playworker
Mark
Playworker
Open Positions
We're always on the look out for Sessional Playworkers.
Please get in touch if you're interested and we'll get back to you to discuss.
