Play & Talk

Together in London

A welcoming place for children and carers to play, talk and grow – together

 
 

Bubble & Speak is a unique drop-in space in Finsbury Park, London, for children under 4 years and their parents or carers – including expecting families.

It’s a place to play, talk and interact in a welcoming, comforting and psychologically safe environment. Children begin to socialise in the presence of a trusted adult, while carers connect with others through shared moments, quiet conversations and mutual support.

Our trained workers – known as welcomers – are oriented by psychoanalysis and always available to our visitors. With genuine care and attention, they listen, observe and support every family that walks through the door.

No booking required.
We look forward to welcoming you!

Visit Us
 
 
Bubble and Speak – Brickworks Community Centre, London, N4 4BY
 

Our Mission

Bubble & Speak supports young children in the unfolding of their individuality – and their parents and carers in the everyday challenges of raising them.

  • Bubble and Speak drop-in space in Finsbury Park, London - No Registration Required

    No Registration Required

    You don’t need to sign up or book in advance – just drop in on our sessions whenever suits you and stay for as long as you like.

  • Bubble and Speak drop-in space in Finsbury Park, London - Contribute What You Can

    Contribute What You Can

    Our sessions are free to attend. If you’re able, we invite you to contribute what you can to help us keep the space running.

  • Bubble and Speak drop-in space in Finsbury Park, London - Confidentiality Respected

    Confidentiality Respected

    What is shared at Bubble & Speak stays within the room. Everyone’s privacy is valued and respected.

About
Bubble & Speak

Bubble & Speak was inspired by the Maison Verte model created in 1979 by the French psychoanalyst Françoise Dolto. Dolto’s team envisioned a transitional space between the family and the wider world – a place where children could begin to separate and explore their individuality in a safe setting designed for early childhood development.

In this spirit, our sessions offer a gentle, unstructured and confidential environment. They serve as a preventive space, where playing together, speaking and being heard can help soften the challenges families may face and reduce isolation. Alongside children under four and their carers, we also welcome expectant parents.

Rather than providing pre-planned activities or giving set advice, we approach each child and carer individually, supporting them to use our space in a way that works for them, while remaining attentive and considerate of others. There’s no need to book or register in advance – everyone is welcome. Drop in, contribute what you can and stay as long as you wish.

Discover More
About Bubble and Speak – a space for children and their parents or carers
 
 
Bubble and Speak - Building Blocks Shape

What Parents & Carers Say

10 reviews

Leave Us a Review
Featured
Testimonial 10

I went to the Laep in my town, and it was a lifesaver! Being able to talk to other parents, realise that we all go through difficulties, that it's normal, and getting professional advice to help reduce my feelings of guilt did me a lot of good. I saw my daughter change too: gradually opening up to others, being less fearful, separating from me for the duration of an activity.

Testimonial 9

Since my separation, I've been wondering about my child and me. It's good to realise that I'm not the only one!

Testimonial 8

In this place, everyone finds their place, and that allows me to have a little time for myself, enjoying my child and interacting with other families.

Testimonial 7

My son enjoyed it; he was always happy to see the familiar building, even when we no longer went there because he had grown too big.

Testimonial 6

Great help to understand our children, it is what we need most often to understand our children.

Testimonial 5

Just my most sincere thanks for giving me and my child this time.

Testimonial 4

The sessions helped me a lot to name my day-to-day situations with my son.

Testimonial 3

As a foster mum, it is very precious for me to be able to speak here about my foster child's future adoption.

Testimonial 2

The other groups I used to go to were more activities-oriented. I felt my daughter was being put under pressure. Her own rhythm was not taken into account.

Testimonial 1

My wife speaks Russian, I am Spanish. Bubble and Speak was the first opportunity we had to talk to professionals about our questions. Should we speak to our daughter in our own mother tongue or in English?

Our Funders & Collaborators

 

Bubble & Speak is grateful for the generous support of our funders:
Cloudesley, the People’s Postcode Lottery, the National Lottery Community Fund and the Mackintosh Foundation.

Bubble & Speak is sustained not only by the generosity of our funders but also by the strength of our collaborations and partnerships.

We collaborate with Fundamentes, a collective dedicated to working to transform the lives of children and adolescents in conditions of psychosocial vulnerability in Latin America. The Foundation for Community Psychoanalysis is working towards opening the first English-speaking Maison Verte project in North America. We are also proud to be part of the FREEPSY Free Clinics Network, coordinated by the University of Essex, connecting us to an international community of psychoanalytically informed projects working for wider access to care.

 
 

Support Bubble & Speak

We’re always open to building new partnerships and collaborations. If you’re interested in supporting our work, please get in touch.

Contact Us
 

Help Us Thrive

Help Us Thrive

Donate What You Can

While our sessions are free, families are warmly invited to give what they can. Donations help us stay open, support families and train staff.

Every contribution makes a difference.

Make a Contribution

News & Updates

Stay up to date about Bubble & Speak opening times, team changes, events and ongoing work.

Follow us on social media for more!

Bubble & Speak is part of the neighbourhood. It offers children different possibilities to imagine and play, alone or with others, helping to build adaptability and agency. IMAGE DESCRIPTION:A group of figurines, including children and a grandma
Play is not a luxury. It is a necessity of life to understand, navigate and adapt to the complexities of the world IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The image features a red window adorned with a star doll figure holding a star, resembling a child with a kite set
Even before babies can talk they have already entered into the world of language. Play allows them to make sense of the world, without words, to enter the space in a way that is meaningful for them. IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The image features wooden doll
Surprise is a kind of birth 🌹Both involve the unexpected, a transformative event that brings about a new beginning and a shift in perspective. Entering a new space is also a new beginning. IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The image features a toy couch adorned w
At Bubble and Speak it is important to us to know each child by their name, which we write on a board when they arrive. It is a way of signalling that they are welcome in the space 🟨🅿️🅱️❎🟪 IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The image features a group of wooden
In the past, talking to babies was often dismissed as silly. However, visionary Françoise Dolto taught us the importance of speaking to children a way that acknowledges their understanding and emotional experience, even before they can fully a
Every Monday morning, there is a celebration of community as families arrive at Bubble & Speak With each visit, they weave their personal stories into the fabric of our project, creating memories that will be passed down for generations. Join u

We are on Happity!

We’re delighted to be listed on Happity – a platform that helps parents and carers find local early-years groups. You can now connect with Bubble & Speak C.I.C. there to stay in the loop about our play & talk drop-ins, opening hours and special events.