Interview with Jennifer Sutcliffe - Founder of The Working Mums Club

This week we caught up with Jennifer Sutcliffe - Founder of The Working Mums Club to talk about her why it was important to set up The Working Mums Club, how mums can benefit from TWMC and much more!

Can you tell us the inspiration behind starting The Working Mums Club?

The idea came during a moment of pure frustration. As a working mum of two under four, I wanted a space that simply didn’t exist. After my second maternity leave, I realised the problem wasn’t me - it was the system. Childcare in the UK is wildly unaffordable, and most providers are built around rigid hours that don’t reflect the realities of parents who need flexibility.

So I decided to build the space I needed: somewhere women can work, parent and breathe without having to choose between their career and their child. The Working Mums Club has been designed with every detail built around real mum-life, to support both mothers and their children. We offer Montessori-led nursery care, flexible memberships, and a warm, like-minded community. Even the food has a purpose - hormone-balancing, nutrient-rich meals that support energy, mood and stress, particularly in the months and years after birth.

Our core mission is to dismantle one of the biggest barriers to gender equality: the childcare gap. At present, 76% of working mums face career stagnation or drop-out because childcare and workplace flexibility simply don’t align. If we can change that, we not only empower women - we unlock huge economic potential.

The numbers say it all: The UK childcare sector contributes over £6.7 billion to the economy annually, yet only 24% of mothers return to full-time work after having a baby, and 79% of those leave again due to a lack of flexible, affordable childcare. The Working Mums Club is here to change that.

2. What personal challenges as a working mum have shaped the way The Working Mums Club runs?

My own experience has shaped everything. I’m living the chaos - trying to meet strict deadlines with a toddler off sick, tapping away on my laptop late at night after bedtime, and feeling the guilt of yet another rushed nursery pick-up.

I also know from first-hand experience that not all parents work 9 to 5. That’s why we offer weekend childcare, breakfast clubs, after-school care, and holiday clubs for children up to eight years old.

When I became a mum, I realised the systems in place didn’t fit my work life or the routines I had for my children - something so many mothers experience. Our spaces are designed to break away from the rigid norms of childcare. We provide flexibility, creativity and timings that work for a mum, not just for us as a provider. The aim is to make the return to work less of a mountain to climb.

3. What has been the most surprising feedback you’ve received from your

community?

Mainly how many mothers are on board with the flex model and don’t want to be constrained by normal nursery hours. Also saddened by how many women we have come across who have been made redundant while pregnant or on maternity leave, it is truly shocking.

Employers need to look at the bigger picture on how much a parent will bring to their business. Adaptation is what is needed not rigidity - mothers want to work but many employers make it impossible to do so.

4. If you could change one thing about the way workplaces treat working mums, what would it be?

Respect. Too often, working mothers are seen as a burden because they may need to take time off when their children are unwell, during school holidays, or to make the school run.

What employers often overlook is that parents - especially mothers - are masters of multitasking, organisation and delegation. When mothers are nourished and supported by their employers, they don’t just keep up. They thrive.

5. Where do you see The Working Mums Club in 5 years time?

Our ultimate aim is to have spaces on every high street in the UK, so mothers nationwide have somewhere to work, connect and breathe. Deptford is just the start. In five years we are aiming to have 25 sites across the UK.

We want to create authentic communities, where mothers can seamlessly switch from serious business discussions to sharing weaning tips without missing a beat. That blend of professional and personal support is where the magic happens.

6. Best piece of advice you have been given?

“Don’t wait for the perfect time, because it doesn’t exist.” In motherhood, nothing is ever perfectly aligned. You have to start, and trust you’ll figure out the rest along the way. You can read all the books in the world with parenting but nothing will equip you for the craziness kids throw your way. Trust your instinct - this is true in business too.

7. What would your ideal day in London be like?

Going to keep in local to Greenwich and Deptford as it’s where we live near and home to our first site! A run in Greenwich Park to start the day - incredible views of London, loads of green space and if early enough no cars around so the closest you’ll get to quiet in London.

On the way back via Royal Hill pick up some meat from Drings Butcher Bread and cheese from The Cheese Board and any refills I need from Art of Zero Living.

Back home and kids are deposited at pre-school nursery and with the nanny and I head to my temporary office at Deptford Library while our first site is being built on Crossfield Street. Would sneak in getting my nails done by the amazing Maylene at LB Studio.

Lunch would be my absolute favorite Viet Rest that do the best Bánh cuốn and Pho - adore them. If it’s market day in Deptford (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) I’ll pick up fresh fish from Bob and his stall - so fresh, so delicious and bargain prices - three sea bass for £15. How can you go wrong?!

If I had time would also get my hair cut by Susi at Bohemians Deptford who does an incredible curly hair cut. Pick up some great presents and art for our site from @deptforddoesart Zuzana and Dan are real champions of the local artist and creator community.

When my daughter is back at school I try to pick her up at 3pm and then we head home for an early dinner - I will do some more work before the nanny leaves at 5pm then as much as I can, I put down my phone and spend time with the kids (ideal scenario).

My partner and I, often shattered from the day and are spoiled by restaurants near by Jin Jiang is amazing for Sichuan and roast meats and

The Tea House for dim sum. Jazu has awesome cocktails and rotating chef pop ups and Marcella is a firm favourite too for simple Italian and great wine.

For more information on The Working Mums Club click here.

Interview by Nyla Sammons

Photography courtesy of The Working Mums Club