IT STARTED when a few like-minded people got together to help children and families in one of Glasgow’s poorest areas.
More than twenty-five years later, 3D Drumchapel is still going strong, having changed the lives of many across the north-west of the city.
Recently, the group – which runs a host of programmes based on positive parenting, promoting self-esteem, improving health and wellbeing and developing support networks – held a party to celebrate its silver anniversary and, as CEO Sharon Colvin explains, there was a lot of joy in the room.
“It is joyous,” she says, smiling. “It’s fantastic to be able to mark this special anniversary and to know that 3D Drumchapel has been journeying with children and families in Drumchapel over so many years.
“A special thanks goes to all the staff, board members, volunteers, funders and supporters who have journeyed with us over the years - and of course a special shout out to all the hundreds and hundreds of children and families who have been part of the 3D family throughout this time.
“They are the reason we keep doing what we do. We look forward to another 25 years.”
The family support charity works across Drumchapel, Knightswood and Yoker, and the past quarter-century has been packed with incredible achievements, special moments and lasting impact on the communities it serves.
Recently, 3D Drumchapel was awarded the Queen’s Award for voluntary service and it was named family support charity of the year by Children and Young People Now.
Henry Smith, the charity’s chairperson, explains: “I was fortunate to have a happy family life, others are not so lucky, and that's why I got involved in 3D Drumchapel, to be able to give something back.
"There used to be a group called the Dove Project in Drumchapel, which folded overnight. One of the ladies, who ran a mum's group, didn't want to let the mums down so she got a few people together and set up the Emmaus project.
"A homeless group also used the name, and it was becoming confusing, so we changed it to 3D Drumchapel, and became a registered charity."
The name, says Henry, simply means exactly that - "three-dimensional".
He explains: "The dimensions are the child, the parent or family, and the community, and we serve all three.
“The idea was to deliver a range of services to support improvements for children and families in the community.
“That early vision has grown into the current 3D Drumchapel charity project, providing much-needed support to many families and individuals, on a whole range of issues that can arise with modern-day living.”
3D Drumchapel is a previous winner of our sister title's the Glasgow Times' Community Champion Awards, held in partnership with Glasgow City Council, Wheatley Glasgow, Trades House Glasgow and Merck.
In 2016, the charity won the Team Award at the grand final in the City Chambers, where then Lord Provost Sadie Docherty and host Michelle McManus presented them with their award.
The charity has a mascot, called Waddles, and the lovable penguin featured in his very own book which the charity published in 2021.
Written by Ben Mali, a storyteller who worked with 3D Drumchapel, it is illustrated by Tanith Diggory, a local artist who attended some of the charity’s parent and child sessions with her son.
At its launch, Sharon Colvin said she hoped the book would “reinforce the important message that although there can be challenges and difficult times, there is strength in each other and strong family attachments.”
The charity even hosted a wedding, when two people who credited 3D Drumchapel with "turning their lives around", got married in the Drumchapel premises.
Stacey Roberts and Alan Graham tied the knot in 2007, after benefitting from the support provided by the organisation through some of the toughest times in their lives.
The recent 25th anniversary celebration included a nostalgic lookback at the group’s history, and a screening of its fantastic new promotional video. You can watch the video on YouTube here.
Laura Divers, head of operations, says it was a “milestone event".
She adds: “It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and celebrate our shared dedication to our mission. It was a moment to reflect on our journey and look forward to a future filled with even greater achievements.”
You can support 3D Drumchapel by donating to its Just Giving page.
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