Connect + Play

Connect + Play is at Inch House Community Centre on Monday 19 October, a networking session run by Work+Play Hub for parents and carers. It's a relaxed, child-friendly morning in the south of the city, designed for people who want to meet new people, make professional connections and share ideas in a space that works around real family life rather than asking you to leave it at the door.

The child-friendly part isn't just a nod to the crowd: a qualified early years practitioner is on hand throughout to keep the little ones engaged while the grown-ups talk and network. It means you can actually focus on the conversation without having to keep one eye on your toddler, and the session runs for an hour and a half, so there's plenty of time to settle in and get something out of it.

If you've spent the last few years working from home or found it hard to keep up with professional contacts while juggling the kids, this is exactly the kind of thing that makes it easier. It's less about formal pitches and more about meeting other parents and carers in the same boat, sharing ideas and making connections in a setting that understands the reality of the morning rush. You're welcome to bring your children along, and the early years practitioner takes care of them while you do the networking.

The session runs from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, with doors opening at 10:20 am, so you've got a few minutes to get sorted before it kicks off. It's held at Inch House Community Centre, 225 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH16 5UF, and it's free to attend.