Page 4 - Play Works Impact Report 2025

It is with great pride I present this Impact

Report for 2025. This year has been one of
transformation, resilience, and change
across both Play Works (Family and
Community Development West Lothian)
and its social enterprise subsidiary, Simply
Play.

The most significant change this year was
the retirement of our long-serving CEO,
Raymond Branton, after two decades of
dedicated service. His legacy is deeply
embedded in the values and impact of our
organisation. We welcomed Simon
Henderson into the role of CEO in January
2025, bringing continuity and fresh vision
from his previous position as Operations
Manager. We also introduced a new CHRIS HORNE
Business Development Manager, Jane

Masters, reflecting our commitment to
growth and innovation. These leadership Chairperson
changes have strengthened our capacity
to respond to the evolving needs of our
communities and the challenges of the
external environment.

Across our venues – Broxburn Family Centre, The Dale Hub, The Range Playground, and our
Outreach work – Play Works supported over 450 adults and 700 children with over 82%
identifying adversity relating to mental and emotional wellbeing. Poverty, and the associated
impacts of poverty, continues to be a significant adversity for our families. 75% of our families
meet at least one of the Scottish Government’s indicators with over 1/3 indicating multiple.
These figures do not include the thousands that attended The Range over the summer for
our Manky Monday and Wet Wednesday community play events. These events continue to
provide local children from across West Lothian, and sometimes wider, with a chance to play,
grow and belong; truly fulfilling our mission.

This feedback from a parent absolutely underlines our impact:

“I loved getting a wee break on Wednesday when kids were at Wet Wednesday.
They came back happy and had had a great time, also more relaxed as they

had burned off energy. Themed Thursdays were fantastic brand new ideas
every year, all ages and abilities catered for and kept the costs of summer
down. As a family we look forward to the summer programme, something we
can all do together.”

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