Celebrating Kent Mums in Business: The Den, Sevenoaks

If you have followed me for a while, you’ll know that there are two major driving forces behind my photography...

Helping and encouraging Mums to exist in their family photographs…

…and supporting other local Mums in business.

We have so many businesses here in Kent which are owned and run by incredible local Mums and I think that should be celebrated. 

So, each month (or as close to that as I can get – this year has been a little hit and miss!) I have the absolute honour of introducing you to one of them.  

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This month I am so excited to introduce the lovely Sarah Thompson – Kent Mum of Three, Certified Antenatal Educator, Baby Massage, Baby Yoga and Children's Yoga Teacher and proud owner of The Den – a Sevenoaks-based venue offering all things pregnancy, mum, baby and children.

I spent a lovely morning with Sarah – we chatted all about her beautiful business and I got to see first hand the incredible space she has created for Mums…  

Tell us about your business and what services you offer?

The Den is one venue offering all things pregnancy, mum, baby and children.

I wanted to create a wonderful community hub that Mums could come to not feel alone and be supported.

We offer lots of different classes from pregnancy yoga, hypnobirthing, baby massage and baby yoga, mum and baby postnatal fitness, baby sensory and development, baby brunches and afternoon teas, baby spas, a fun play space, toddler and children’s yoga, messy play, music and dance classes, sound baths and mindfulness events as well as much more.

We also run birthday parties, and The Den can be hired for lots of different events, from pregnancy announcements, gender reveals, baby showers, first birthdays or get togethers.

What do you offer to your clients that no-one else does?

If I said time, I think that captures The Den in a special way.

My classes often overrun because they are more than a hypnobirthing or baby class, they are a place where you can laugh, cry and chat. We of course help babies to develop, but we are there for the mums (and dads) too.

We always have time for anyone who needs us, but also, we love to create a fun space where all ages can develop and enjoy.

We have so many different classes and events for all ages and there is nothing like that in the surrounding areas.

We are a small business made up of local mums, with most of us having young children, so we know what others are going through.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My children have helped me create The Den.

Oliver my oldest has ADHD and to deal with new situations, he often makes a Den to feel safe, protected and supported.

This is what I wanted to create. A place where you can come and cry, you can get help, you can know you are not alone, you are part of a community, you can make friends, you are an amazing women and mum.

Keira my youngest said to be that “if you fall down, dust yourself off, pick yourself up and keep going”. This is the motto of The Den, that there is always someone there for you and that you have got this!

My middle child is Hay-Den. For me, The Den was the perfect name and the perfect place to put smiles on faces. 

I also couldn’t do it with my husband; he gave me the encouragement to take my business from my home to a venue dedicated to offer all the wonderful classes and events we now offer.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I love seeing my mums come back to me to see them grow with their children. I have many mums who have started with us from pregnancy and now their children are pre-schoolers and still enjoying our classes.

I love seeing a mum smile.

I love seeing a baby and child smile.

I love knowing that I have helped someone when they have been struggling or crying in a class.

I love watching mums make friendships and I love that mums are running classes in The Den, so we are mums supporting mums.

What is better than that!

If you would like to know more about the absolutely wonderful work Sarah does, please visit her website here , give her your support on social media and if you know anyone who would love to visit The Den, please send them her way...

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Claire xx