How Rebekah Henry Built a Community Platform Supporting Families and Class-Based Businesses

When Rebekah Henry started the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community, she wasn’t setting out to build a platform, run events, or create an awards programme; she was simply trying to find something that would help her through a really difficult and uncertain time in her own life.

During lockdown, while pregnant with her second child, facing redundancy, and with her husband working on the frontline, Rebekah found herself feeling isolated and searching for connection, so like many parents at the time, she turned to online classes as a way to stay engaged with her toddler and maintain some sense of routine.

What she quickly realised, however, was that many of the providers delivering those classes were struggling to be seen, and that there was a real gap between the incredible work being done and the families who needed it most.

“I was like, I need something… give me something.”

That moment became the catalyst for something much bigger, as Rebekah began sharing and promoting online classes, raising awareness for providers who were continuing to show up during an incredibly uncertain time, and what started as a simple act of support soon evolved into something far more intentional.

She created a Facebook group, not to replicate existing parenting spaces, but to fill a very specific gap by bringing together families who were looking for activities and providers who needed visibility, creating a space where both could connect in a way that felt practical, supportive and safe.

From Online Survival to Real-World Community

As the group grew, it naturally became a shared space for both families and providers, and for Rebekah, who openly shares that she experiences social anxiety, building something online felt like an accessible and manageable way to create connection without the pressure of in-person interaction.

However, as restrictions began to lift, she recognised that while the online space had been essential, people were craving something more, not just information about classes, but real human connection and opportunities to engage face-to-face again.

This realisation led her to take the community offline, organising her first in-person event in a local church hall in Sherwood, where over 40 providers came together to offer taster sessions, set up stalls and reconnect with families in a relaxed, community-focused environment.

The event sold out, and more importantly, it validated what she had instinctively felt, that bringing people together in one physical space would create something far more powerful than a digital platform alone.

“It was just brilliant to bring that Facebook group alive again.”

That moment marked a clear shift from simply sharing information to actively building a connected and engaged community.

Creating Visibility, Recognition and Collaboration

Following that first event, the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community continued to expand, with seasonal events, new locations and a growing number of families and providers becoming involved, while Rebekah intentionally focused on maintaining a strong sense of collaboration rather than competition within the community.

Instead of providers competing for attention, they began connecting, referring to one another and even working together, which naturally led to the creation of the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community Awards, an initiative designed to give independent providers the recognition they so often miss.

Launched in a relatively short space of time, the awards quickly gained traction, offering not just visibility but a genuine sense of appreciation for the work being done within the local community.

“The providers felt recognised… they felt appreciated.”

What Has Helped the Community Grow

A big part of the success of the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community has come from the intentional decisions Rebekah has made as it has evolved, ensuring it continues to serve both families and providers in a meaningful way.

Key elements that have supported its growth include:
• Creating a space that connects both families and providers, rather than separating them
• Keeping events community-based and accessible, rather than overly commercial
• Expanding into different areas to reach more families locally
• Encouraging collaboration between providers rather than competition
• Building consistency across platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and the website

These choices have helped turn what started as a simple Facebook group into a trusted local hub.

Building Something Alongside Everything Else

What makes Rebekah’s story particularly powerful is not just what she has built, but how she has built it, as this entire platform has grown alongside a full-time job and raising two young children, with much of the work happening in the small pockets of time available in the evenings after bedtime.

It is not a business built from endless availability or large amounts of free time, but one built through consistency, purpose and a clear commitment to supporting others, which has resulted in a platform that now connects over 6,500 families and supports more than 60 providers across Nottingham.

Becoming the Go-To Hub for Families

Over time, the Nottingham Baby and Toddler Community has become a trusted and recognised hub within the local area, with families knowing where to go to find classes and providers knowing where to go to be seen, which has been strengthened by Rebekah’s clear positioning within the wider ecosystem.

Rather than trying to do everything, she has remained focused on classes, activities and services, while collaborating with others who specialise in areas such as days out, allowing the community to grow in a way that feels supportive rather than competitive.

“Everyone knows what we do.”

That clarity has played a key role in building trust and long-term engagement within the community.

What Rebekah Looks for as a Judge

Rebekah brings a unique perspective to the Class Business Awards, having built a platform that supports providers, created events that bring communities together, and developed her own awards programme, which gives her a deep understanding of both the operational and emotional side of running a class-based business.

When reviewing applications, her focus goes beyond surface-level success and looks at the deeper impact behind each business.

She is particularly looking for:
• Clear and meaningful community impact
• A strong sense of purpose behind the business
• Evidence of passion, effort and commitment
• Businesses that go beyond delivery and create real connection

Because for Rebekah, the true value of a business lies not just in what it offers, but in the difference it makes to the people it serves.

Watch the Full Interview With Rebekah

Rebekah’s story is a powerful reminder that some of the most impactful businesses do not start with a fully formed strategy, but instead grow from a genuine need, a desire to help others and a willingness to take action in uncertain circumstances.

What she has created is more than a platform, as it has become a community that connects people, supports businesses and creates meaningful impact at a local level.

Watch the full interview with Rebekah Henry on the Class Business Academy YouTube channel.