The Family Village
At The Family Village, we believe it truly takes a village to raise a family - and that every parent deserves to feel supported, connected, and encouraged along the way.
Our space was created as a welcoming haven for families at every stage of their journey, from those tender newborn days to the bustling, busy years of raising curious, growing children. Here, parents can find practical support, little ones can play and learn in a nurturing environment, and friendships can flourish over a cup of tea.
We bring together a variety of services under one roof - from baby and toddler classes to sensory play and early learning, from holistic healing and movement sessions for adults to inclusive community events that bring families together.
The Family Village is more than just a place to go - it’s a community to belong to. Whether you’re here to join a class, seek advice, or simply share a laugh with another parent who “gets it,” you’ll find open arms, understanding hearts, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Because here, you’re not doing it alone - you’re part of the Village.
Meet Melissa Gunadesa
Melissa is a veteran in the field with a career in early childhood and enrichment, primary, special education, learning intervention and education consultancy spanning an illustrious 22-year journey.
With a formal education in early childhood and special education, Melissa is highly sought after for her classes, intervention programs, and consultancy, particularly in program development, program review, and classroom audits.
Melissa's 'Tour of Duty' includes extensive tenures at Julia Gabriel’s Centre for Learning, Chiltern House, and Zoophonics, among others. In 2008, she founded her own school, Colourful Hearts, which she successfully expanded to three centres before selling it in 2017.
Of her 22-year career, 14 were focused on growing Colourful Hearts, where she developed curriculum from the ground up, led business and marketing strategies, and managed and trained a diverse team of educators and staff.
In recent years, Melissa has expanded her practice to include holistic modalities such as Reiki and hypnosis. She integrates these healing arts into her educational and consultancy work, offering a compassionate, whole-child and parent approach that addresses both academic and emotional well-being for the entire family. This unique blend of educational expertise and holistic healing makes her a distinctive voice in the fields of learning intervention and personal transformation.