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Lottery Chief visits Playbusters
Newly appointed Chair to the Big Lottery Fund, Peter Ainsworth, visited the East End this week to see for himself some of the marvellous work that the Big Lottery is funding in the East End. He was joined by BLF Director for Scotland, Jackie Killeen.
Top of his list was the award winning Playbusters who received funding over a year ago for their ‘Connecting Generations’ programme that operates right across the East End.
He was given a warm East End welcome by Project Manager, Margaret Layden, and around 30 volunteers and staff at Wellpark Community Hall. Some of the volunteers performed an intergenerational drama production they had worked on with ADD-art and it went down a storm. Then Playbusters young volunteers gave the visitors and other people attending a viewing of an exhibition of work that included intergenerational work, environmental programmes, activities for young people, Go Play activities and volunteering programmes.
Councillor Docherty and Sgt Hamill from Strathclyde Police spoke of the marvellous work that is being carried out in the East End and congratulated the volunteers on the vast amount of personal time they put into their community.
The guests commented on how unique it is to see so many family units volunteering together and were delighted to meet a special youngster who at the age of 5 is desperate to volunteer.
Young Chantelle Douglas (aged 5) helps out with her mum, auntie and Granny when they are volunteering. Although she is still a number of years away from the age when she can officially volunteer with Playbusters she was keen to get in the act and made her own Tee Shirt which she was proud to show off at a previous award ceremony.
The highlight of the day was when Peter Ainsworth, Chair of Big Lottery Fund, formally presented Playbusters with the Volunteer Friendly Award. This is awarded after assessment by the Volunteer Centre for good practice in volunteer management.
Peter Ainsworth said he was overwhelmed by the hospitality and hugely impressed by the range, levels and vitality of activity on display and thanked the staff, volunteers and supporters for giving up their time on a sunny holiday afternoon. He said:
“I am impressed with the diversity of work and grassroots approach of Playbusters and it is clear that the organisation is making a significant impact within the East End. I congratulate your organisation on receiving the Queens Award which is thoroughly well deserved”.