About our OwnerMichelle Gibson
I’m a busy mum and step mum to 4 amazing children, I have experience of caring for children from birth to teenagers.
After being a dental nurse since the age of 17, I decided I wanted to work with young children as it had always been a passion of mine. I opened up a messy play company in 2018 which is how Muck Tubs messy play was born. I held various messy play sessions in different venues in Hartlepool, Make Believe being one of these venues!
I had always wanted to work with young children and went onto study a number of courses such as early years practitioner, baby massage, baby yoga, safeguarding and children’s first aid.
Make believe was opened in 2018 and was one of the very first children’s role play centres in Hartlepool. The original owner decided to sell in August 2022 to pursue other things. This is where my Make Believe journey began and Muck Tubs messy play finally had a forever home. I followed my dream of owning my own children’s imaginative role play centre.
I love watching children’s imaginations unfold – one minute they can be a superhero the next they can be baking a cake in the play cafe, everyday working with children is a new adventure!
A message from Michelle
At Make Believe – Imagination Role Play Centre, we see every individual who comes into our centre as family. It brings me and my team great happiness seeing our Make Believers blossom through imaginative play.
Our team work hard each and every day if that is on the centre floor or back stage. I would like to say without my team, without you, my family, Make Believe just would not be the same.
For individuals who come into the centre, you will meet our valued volunteer Helen. Helen is an amazing woman who we have all seen blossom over the year, so this next part is for her as she deserves it with all the hard work and commitment she has done.
Helens' Story
“My name is Helen and i am 26 years old, I volunteer at Make Believe cafe two days a week.
I enjoy meeting all the children and babies and learning their names.
I help set out the play equipment and tidy up at the end of the session. My favourite session is baby sensory and story when we play with the parachute and sing lots of nursery rhymes.”