Kids & Family

Major new activity park is recruiting a Chief Excitement Officer – and they must be an actual child

Oxygen Activeplay at MediaCity wants a new ‘CEO’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 24th January 2025

A major new entertainment attraction in Greater Manchester is recruiting a pint-sized CEO – that’s Chief Excitement Officer to you. 

Oxygen Activeplay is set to open at MediaCity next month, filled with 24 trampolines, loads of inflatables, a giant air bag jump and an indoor aerial Sky Rider. 

Ahead of its February launch, the state-of-the-art venue is on the hunt for someone to take on the ‘most fun job in Manchester’, testing out all the attractions inside and overseeing excitement levels. 

The mini-CEO role will be offered to an outgoing and creative candidate who must be aged between six and 12 years old.

Once Oxygen Activeplay has found its Chief Excitement Officer, the work can begin…

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Listed responsibilities in the spoof job advert include auditing the bounce-ability of 24 epic trampolines, assessing the Sky Rider’s sky-high feeling, evaluating the energy of Oxygen’s signature Excite Tunnel, and inspecting the floating on-air style cushioning of the mega-airbag.

The successful CEO will also be testing out the ‘fun factor’ of the interactive Strike Arena, calculating the amount of balance needed to cross the high ropes course, and delivering an excitement briefing to Oxygen’s Hero Crew to prepare for the opening.

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They’ll also need to evaluate the tastiness of the cafe’s menu on site, including the slushies. 

Essential experience for the role includes ‘a proven track record of playing games, trying new things, and most importantly knowing how to have fun’.

Oxygen MediaCity is recruiting a Chief Excitement Officer - and they must be an actual child. Credit: Supplied, Jamie McPhilimey
Oxygen MediaCity is recruiting a Chief Excitement Officer – and they must be an actual child. Credit: Supplied, Jamie McPhilimey

The CEO’s first official duty will be to visit Oxygen Activeplay before it officially opens its doors to review the facility alongside Oxygen’s other CEO, Stephen Wilson. 

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Then they’ll be hitting the streets to quiz Mancs on how much they really know about ‘BIG-TIME fun’, before cutting the ribbon to the new attraction in MediaCity. 

The successful Chief Excitement Officer will receive a salary in the form of an annual bounce pass worth over £600 for them and their family, plus the chance to host their next birthday party at the park.

And they’ll be given a full written reference for their CV, making them the only child in the UK to hold the coveted letters of ‘CEO’. 

Stephen Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxygen Activeplay, said: “I’m really looking forward to joining forces with another CEO and hearing their professional input on peak playing protocols to help maximise BIG-TIME Fun.”

Oxygen Activeplay is opening at MediaCity this year. Credit: Supplied
Oxygen Activeplay is opening at MediaCity this year. Credit: Supplied

“With Oxygen at MediaCity being our newest park, we’re keen to amplify the excitement levels, so bringing in a professional was the logical step. If you think you’re the best at having fun and bringing the excitement, then we want to hear from you!”

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Peta Young, People Director at Oxygen Activeplay, said: “Recruiting for a role as important as the Chief Excitement Officer is a really big deal and we want to find the bubbliest and bounciest Mancunian to join our team, so we’d like to encourage as many people as possible  to apply for the chance to be Oxygen at MediaCity’s CEO.”

To apply, the aspiring CEO should get their parent or guardian to help them send in a video explaining why they believe they’re the most qualified for the job, which can be submitted HERE. 

The candidate must be available for official CEO duties on the 14 February evening or 15nFebruary morning, and Saturday 8 or Sunday 9 day time. They must also be available on the evening of Thursday 6 March to cut the ribbon at the VIP opening celebration.

Oxygen Activeplay is set to open its 10th Oxygen park at Quayside, MediaCity in Manchester in February 2025 – find out more HERE. 

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Featured image: Supplied, Jamie McPhilimey

Kids & Family

Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant People in the cinema

Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.

The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.

With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.

A Peter Rabbit-themed festival with retro steam train rides, and the chance to learn what life is like for animals at the Science and Industry Museum are just a couple of the already-announced spring events happening across the region.

But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.

Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.

Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.

Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.

Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations

And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.

“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.

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“More than just entertainment, it’s a chance for children and parents to switch off, connect, and create lasting memories together.”

Featured Image – Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

Kids & Family

A local baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser to stop it from closing for good

Danny Jones Danny Jones Save Our Baby Bank Trafford Greater Manchester fundraiser

A Greater Manchester baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser in hopes of preventing it from closing for good imminently.

For anyone unaware, baby banks are crucial organisations run largely by volunteers who help provide supplies to families in local communities, with more than 300 in use across the UK at present.

Through delivering much-needed aid such as clothing, prams, nappies and baby food, right through to direct financial support, they help keep parents and their children in good supply of essentials and much more – hugely important work at any rate, let alone during the winter and a cost of living crisis.

However, the Little Green Sock Project over in Trafford is at risk of permanent closure and was initially given until the new year to raise £200,000.

As seen in this moving video, the baby bank based over in Stretford Mall is in dire need of support and, crucially, the funds for a new premises.

They’ve been deeply moved by how Greater Manchester united in reaching into their pockets and sparing whatever they can to contribute to their fundraising target thus far – and they really are nearly at the finish line, which would mean safety for the genuinely life-saving service.

Fundamentally operated as a non-profit and volunteer-led charity, they naturally don’t have the means to just take over a new space on their own and with the current site set to be demolished very soon, a minimum of £200k is needed to find and fund a new location.

Having amassed over 90% of the amount needed, they’ve already bought themselves extra time, they just need one last push from us.

Urging people to donate what they can and share their fundraiser where possible, as well as welcoming corporate sponsorships should other local businesses wish to back them or get stuck through volunteering days, time is of the essence.

The Little Green Sock Project was only started back in 2022 and has already supported over 1,300 children, redistributing more than £240,000 worth of essential items like clothing, cots, prams, and stair gates to local families, as well as saving 20 tonnes of items from landfills.

It’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve changed and saved lives, both parents and children, and with the often difficult festive period approaching, their work is needed now more than ever.

There are just under a dozen baby banks in all of Greater Manchester, many of which are facing similar pressures. (Credit: Supplied)

Speaking on their efforts and the fundraiser, founder Catherine D’Albertanson said: “We believe that essentials needed for the health and wellbeing of children should not only be for those that can afford them. Our work ensures that no child in our community goes without essentials, but without new premises, we will have no choice but to close.”

Moreover, Little Green Sock Project is the only baby bank in the Trafford area and of the families it serves, 58% are single-parent households already struggling with the cost of raising children, while 29% are fleeing domestic abuse, often leaving their belongings behind to protect their family.

With their circular economy model, they also help reduce waste whilst providing “a trusted link between the families that have items to give, to those that need them the most”, with D’Albertanson adding, “If we lose this charity, we lose a vital safety net for many in our community.”

A service user commented: “It was a truly terrifying time when I was pregnant with my first child. I found myself completely alone, with a baby on the way, wondering how I could possibly provide for my son.

“Then I found Little Green Sock Project, and everything changed. Everything was carefully chosen, colour-coordinated, and presented in such a thoughtful way. It felt so special—like someone truly cared about me and my baby. That feeling is indescribable, especially for someone in my position.

“There are so many people like me with stories like this. It breaks my heart to think that the Little Green Sock Project might have to close its doors. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without your help, and I hope with all my heart that the community comes together to keep this lifeline alive.”

Manchester parents need this much-loved baby bank – let’s not let it fall away on our watch. (Credit: Andy Bate at Royal Foundation)

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Every pound donated goes towards helping find the Little Green Sock Project a new home, but people can help contribute in other ways, once again, by spreading the word or getting their hands dirty in person.

Greater Manchester never fails to amaze when it rallies behind causes like this, and we’re sure you won’t let us down this time either. Let’s keep the lights on the lifelines for local families intact.

You can donate now, or to find out other ways to do your bit, click HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Little Green Sock Project/Andy Bate – Royal Foundation (supplied)

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