Two Mums Walk into a Shop...
- 6th Mar 2026
- Author: Elliott Langley - Marketing Administrator
It feels like it was only just Christmas, but here I am already thinking about Mother’s Day. My plan for this Our Space was to write a list of things in our Shop that would make a great Mother’s Day gift.
But then I remembered, we actually have a mother and daughter duo working at the National Space Centre – Lisa (the mum) and Katie (her daughter).
So for a bit of fun, I took the pair down to the Shop when it was quiet to help pick out some Mother’s Day ideas for each other.
I really should have known what I was getting myself into…
Thank you both for helping me out. What’s it like working together at the National Space Centre?
Lisa (Space Crew Team Leader): It’s alright.
Katie (Education Development Officer): Oh thanks! “It’s alright”?!
Lisa: Come on, I’m just joking!
Katie: See what I have to put up with?
Lisa: No, really, it is so nice seeing my daughter around the Centre and being amazing at what she does
If memory serves me right, you joined first Katie, and then your mum joined us a few years later?
Katie: Yeah that’s right, I’ve been here 13 years. I was on Space Crew to begin with, and then I later joined the Education team.
Lisa: I came a bit later. I saw a job going for Space Crew and thought about it for a bit. I wouldn’t have come to work here if Katie wasn’t already here.
Katie: Aww, that’s more like it!
Lisa: Seriously, I wouldn’t have. I remember you telling me to go for it, and how nice a place it is to work here. You were really supportive
Apart from it being “alright”, was it ever strange to both be working at the same place?
Katie: No, not at all, it’s amazing! We get on so well, we’re really lucky to be as close as we are. We have the same naughty sense of humour.
Lisa: It’s probably for the best that we’re on different teams! I doubt anything would ever get done otherwise.
Katie: One thing that is strange: having to be professional with mum. I’ve never got used to calling her “Lisa” over the radio.
Lisa: Just don’t start calling me it at home!
So Katie, what item from the Shop would you buy your mum for Mother’s Day?
Katie: Well, I had several ideas whilst we were wandering around. There’s so much to choose from, so it was tough. But in the end, I decided that I would get my mum one of the crystal milky way lamps.
Lisa: I wasn’t expecting that! What made you choose a lamp?
Katie: Because you deserve the galaxy mum.
Lisa: Aw, that’s nice! Isn’t she nice?
Can I just say, this is so lovely. Lisa, you became a grandmother a few years ago. What would you get your grandson to buy his mum for Mother’s Day?
Lisa: Well, he’s only little, so he would need a bit of help. When we were walking around the Shop, I was thinking that I would get him to buy his mum a Palm Pal cuddly toy, because she likes to play, especially with her son.
Katie: Aw, thanks mum, that’s really nice!
Lisa: Or perhaps a Stich Your Own constellation bag. You’re very creative, especially with all the work you do with school children. So I think you’d enjoy that.
Katie: There’s less chance of him keeping it for himself as well!
Lisa, you’ve been described as the “mum” of Space Crew… what would you want the team to get you?
Lisa: Ooh… a cool million pounds, so I can retire? That would be nice of them.
Katie: [Laughing] Don’t put that in the blog Elliott!
Lisa: Perhaps one of the books we have in the Shop, that would be nice. Maybe this one about the cosmos. I could always know more about space in my job, so that I’m able to answer questions from our visitors or point them in the right direction.
Katie: She means get them to ask me.
Lisa: Well, you are the expert!
Katie and I both have very ginger hair… is there any chance that we’re related? Are you my real mum Lisa?
Lisa: You were very much like a son to me when you worked on Crew, Elliott. That’s all I’ll say.
Interesting. So how are you both celebrating Mother’s Day?
Both: We’re working!
Katie: I’m working the Sleepover the night before, so I’ll be here in the morning.
Lisa: It’s my weekend in, so I’ll be here looking after my kids.
Katie: She’s talking about Space Crew.
Lisa: Hey, if anyone reading this is visiting us on Mother’s Day they should bring us in some treats!
Katie: Mum! Don’t put that in the blog either.
It went in the blog.
Still Need Ideas?
If you still need some inspiration for what to get mum this year, why not give her a One Small Step gift voucher?
Each sponsorship supports our Community Engagement team and helps us to continue delivering our outreach programme.
You will also get a footprint plaque in our courtyard to show our gratitude, with a message of your choice -- the perfect Mother's Day gift.
