A BASINGSTOKE mother who started her own business so she could spend more time with her son has said the company is going from 'strength to strength'.

Laura Elliott started Maximum Play, which provides entertainment for events including parties, weddings and more, in March 2022 so she could 'work around' her two-year-old son, Max. 

The 34-year-old said she wanted a business that allowed her to spend as much time with him as possible, after she lost her first child, Jack, to a stillbirth in 2019.

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Laura Elliott with the Maximum Play vanLaura Elliott with the Maximum Play van (Image: Laura Elliott)

"I lost out before, and I didn't want to do that again," said Laura. She explained that she attended a scan on the 24th week of her pregnancy, where she was told she had to 'deliver him straight away'.

However, after attending Southampton hospital to give birth to Jack, she was told he was 'too small' and 'wouldn't survive' and was instead sent home. A week and five days later, Laura said she 'couldn't sleep' as she could not feel her son kicking.

After calling the maternity unit, Laura went to the hospital at 4pm that day, where they confirmed 'he was gone'. She added: "I just put myself into everything I could do, for Jack."

The mother said that when she fell pregnant with Max, she knew she 'didn't want to put him into childcare and miss out'.

After attending play areas with her now four-year-old, Laura said she noticed 'there didn't seem to be a huge amount near me', deciding to start a business to rent out play equipment for events.

"The cogs started from there. I've always been creative and I can implement that into the business," said Laura.

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The Baughurst resident said the name Maximum Play came from combining her son's nickname; Maxi, and mum, to create Maximum. 

"I added play because that's what I want people to get from it," she explained.

As well as being the inspiration behind the business, Laura also donates profits from events that the business works at to raise funds for The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) in memory of Jack.

Laura said she 'doesn't shy away' from speaking about her experience, as it represents the meaning behind why she supports the charity.

"It's lovely that I can help in that way," she added.

Maximum Play offers a range of equipment for a host of events, such as a role-play village, wooden toys, small world play which includes using mud and bark to create worlds, and more. 

For more information about the business, visit maximumplay.co.uk.