into the fabric of everything we do. Philly & Friends seeks to challenge the status quo by ensuring that all children, no matter their background, can see themselves positively in the stories they read and the toys they engage with. We know that diverse representation in media and products is crucial for children’s self-esteem, and we will continue to be advocates for this change in the publishing and toy industries. It is our mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity to see themselves reflected, appreciated and celebrated. Impacting Lives Beyond Products
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey with Philly & Friends is witnessing the impact it has had on young lives. I often receive messages from parents, teachers and carers who share
how our products have sparked important conversations with their children about self-love, diversity and identity. These moments of connection and learning are exactly what Philly & Friends is all about - creating opportunities for growth, empathy and understanding. Our school visits and creative workshops are one of my favourite things about Philly & Friends. I get to directly witness little kids light up with joy to the realisation that
they are special and deserve to be loved and celebrated. Additionally, through our ‘Buy a Book, Give a Book’ initiative, we sponsor books for underprivileged children, which allows us to support communities where children may not have easy access to books that reflect their identities or empower their dreams. Looking to the Future
In a world that is increasingly diverse, it is vital that the stories we tell reflect the beauty and richness of that diversity. Through Philly & Friends, I hope to continue playing a part in shaping a more inclusive future for our children - one where they can always see the magic in the mirror. VESE AGHOGHOVBIA www.phillyandfriends.com
Little City School Workshops Mobile play centre visiting schools
Little City is a mobile roleplay centre that visits schools and nurseries in your area. We provide high-quality toys and equipment, giving children a
unique role-play experience. Little City is entirely childled, encouraging and engaging the children to play and explore ‘real life’ scenarios. By bringing the City to your school, staff can observe, watch, play and plan the next steps for each child: all we need is a big enough space, and you bring the kids! With a range of experience working in Early Years settings as well as in SEN schools, we’d love to see how we can help you achieve your EY targets for this year. The most popular topics we can help with are: ‘our community’, ‘people who help us’ ‘emergency services’ and ‘future careers’. The City is perfect for children from Nursery through to Year 1 and can provide the perfect
3 4 | EDUCATION CHOICES MAGAZINE | AU T U M N 2 024
mid-term, end-of-term or termly activity. “All the children loved the experience. It was lovely to see the different levels of play and engagement from the different groups of pupils” (SLD/SEND School) “Our girls (and staff!) were engrossed with the range of vocations, resources and opportunities to role-play together in what was a highly enjoyable and enriching educational experience” (Guildford High Junior School) If you would like more information on school workshops for your children, get in touch via vicki@littlecityuk.com VICKI FLETCHER Founder and Business Owner, Little City UK www.littlecityuk.com
