A community worker from Glasgow is providing a vital support system in her local area after witnessing the challenges people were facing during the recent pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Adekemi Giwa, 51, opened The Play Centre Glasgow in 2021 in Drumchapel and is being championed by The National Lottery for the crucial work she has done as director over a short space of time.

"We are a family-focused organisation that look after our community through various workshops and support systems," she said.

"We are the first point of contact for our community, so we have been essential during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis over the past few years.

"The National Lottery Community Fund was crucial in this time.

"Thanks to National Lottery funding, we set up programmes to support and signpost to help make life more bearable for our community during the cost of living crisis."

The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, gave more than £50 million to over 1,000 projects supporting Black communities across the UK last year, demonstrating its ambition to invest most in places, people and communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.

Ealing Times:

Giwa's impact is impossible to go unnoticed, revealing that the final step on the road to starting the organisation came when encountering two young teenagers asking for alcohol in the street.

"It really shocked me, and I was shaking," she added.

"I told the kids I would not buy them alcohol and I stayed with them and made sure no one else did.

"During that time, I spoke to them about other things and the part-time jobs they could do for some pocket money.

"After my dialogue with them, I knew we needed to start this organisation."

The Play Centre Glasgow has since supported more than 130 households throughout Drumchapel. From providing piggy banks for young volunteers to putting on workshops for adults, Giwa was grateful to National Lottery players who raise £30 million per week for good causes across the UK,for helping bring her vision to life.

"When something goes wrong, the first reaction is panic which can create anxiety, stress and other mental health issues," she said.

"We help people keep those emotions in check by providing emotional intelligence classes where you can learn relaxation and breathing exercises.

"There have also been financial intelligence workshops to understand what a need is and what is a want.

"We also help teach people when the best time to use your dishwasher is, how to bulk cook and how to talk to your bank when asking for support.

"That is why The National Lottery Community Fund has been so amazing. They have supported us from when we didn't have a name, all the way to now.

"Their funding enables us to do all the work we do now, pay our staff and volunteers, provide transportation to visits and so much more."