Our Team

Sarah Wilson

Coordinator, Sheffield Play Partnership

Sarah Wilson is the Coordinator of Sheffield Play Partnership, heading up our city‑wide network dedicated to strengthening high‑quality, child‑centred play opportunities for children and young people across Sheffield. In this role, she works collaboratively with community organisations, schools, local authorities and play practitioners to advocate for play, develop workforce capacity, and support a strong and connected play sector across the city.

Sarah brings more than sixteen years of experience in playwork to her role. She spent over a decade working in London across a wide range of play settings, including school holiday provision, mobile play projects and, most notably, adventure playgrounds. During this time, she managed three adventure playgrounds. One of the playgrounds under her leadership was awarded London Adventure Playground of the Year.

Alongside her professional practice, Sarah has a strong academic background in playwork. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Children’s Play from the University of Gloucestershire, where she developed a particular interest in the relationship between playwork theory and everyday practice. She is also an APIA‑approved Adventure Playground Specialist Health and Safety Inspector.

Sarah has contributed to the wider playwork field through her writing, including a published chapter in Aspects of Playwork, edited by Bob Hughes and Fraser Brown where she explores reflective practice in contemporary playwork practice. This work reflects her ongoing commitment to strengthening the theoretical foundations of playwork while keeping children’s lived experiences at the centre.

At the heart of Sarah’s work is a passion for supporting others, whether that’s nurturing new playworkers, strengthening local organisations, or ensuring play has a strong voice in strategic conversations and public spaces across Sheffield. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys walking in the Peak District and meditation.

Joe Williams

Administrator, Sheffield Play Partnership

Joe has spent the past 8 years working with youth and community charities in Sheffield, supporting project development, administration, and frontline youth work. He has an MA in Youth and Community Development from Leeds Beckett University, which is where he discovered playwork. He now works across several not-for-profit organisations in Sheffield in both employed and freelance roles, supporting day-to-day operations alongside youth work delivery. Joe loves mountain biking, lego, and learning languages – he speaks Spanish, French, and a little bit of Basque.