Page 7 - Play Works Impact Report 2025

This feedback inspires me. I believe that as an organisation, we must live our values and not
just write them down. Our values of care and compassion, inclusivity, and collaboration
must be embedded in our work. Reading this confirms to me that every day, our staff live our
values. The reality of our landscape is that the second part of the feedback is equally true.

Our funders have difficult choices to make, as do we. We own ‘collaboration: find solutions
together’ as a value. When our families face adversity, we collaborate and find solutions
together. When Play Works faces adversity, we hope our funders help us find solutions
together.

Our impact on our vision — that ‘we believe “Coming to group was the best thing
every child deserves the chance to play, for me. I had no one and I’m so happy
grow, and belong’ - is evident. Belonging is everyone I had there was amazing for
essential for positive mental wellbeing, and me and my child. Helped me out when
the impact is life-changing, with memories I needed it. I’m gonna be forever
that can last forever. grateful.”

Continuing with the theme of impact, this year we introduced Makerble, an online
monitoring and evaluation tool, thanks to investment from The National Lottery Community
Fund. Once fully implemented, Makerble will provide us with more detailed data, statistics,
and community engagement feedback to ensure all our services are co-designed with
clear evidence of our outcomes. This will also provide further evidence and data to funders
of our impact.

I look forward to 2026 with the same youthful excitement I felt 23 years ago. We know the

challenges we face will be tough: child poverty is all around us, funding is harder than ever
to secure, the adversity facing children and families is increasing due to the mental
wellbeing crisis and lack of support services, and the cost of living crisis has impacted our
social enterprise. Diversified and sustainable income is a key strategic priority, closely linked
to social enterprise growth. In 2026, we aim to add another venue to our Simply Play portfolio
and continue to build on the relationships we have with our existing funders, while
developing new funding streams to enable us to widen our reach across West Lothian.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank all our funders, stakeholders, and
partners for their continued belief in our impact. Without their trust and belief in Play Works,
none of this would be possible. I am confident that as we head towards 2026, my colleagues
will continue to change the lives of the children and families involved with Play Works
through their passion, commitment, and care.

Simon Henderson

Play Works CEO

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