ANGELA IHEAGWARAM
Afty Manager
Angela has worked in the childcare sector for over 15 years and joined the Afty in 2016.
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Her childcare qualifications include an NQ in Social Care (2003), HNC Social Science (2004), SVQ level 2 in Children’s Care Learning and Development (2011) and an SVQ in Playwork SCQF Level 7.
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In June 2022 she was awarded a BA degree in
Childhood Practice at Strathclyde University.
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Angela also volunteers at the Queen Elizabeth Children’s Hospital within the Hospital Education Department.
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She loves to cook and is constantly trying out new recipes on her two boys.
Her favourite colour is yellow.
DEBBIE REID
Playworker
Debbie has worked in childcare and education
for over ten years and has been
involved with the Afty in all that time.
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She is a Pupil Support Assistant in
Notre Dame Primary School
and her knowledge and experience is invaluable.
Debbie also has an SVQ in Playwork.
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Debbie loves dancing and has been
taking tango evening classes.
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Her favourite colour is blue.
EMMA CLARK
Playworker
Emma is a qualified interior designer who loves
to share her creativity and artistic flair
with the children at the Afty.
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She runs regular workshops in sketching
and model making with the children and is
currenty working towards an
SVQ in Playwork.
Emma loves swimming in the sea.
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Her favourite colour is purple.
MAISIE ARCHER-DYTCH
Playworker
Maisie is studying sport science and physiology
at the University of Glasgow.
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In her spare time she loves rowing, cycling, reading books and walking her two lovely dogs - a border collie called Ziggy (believe it or not, he is scared of sheep)
and an English springer spaniel named Boo.
Before moving to Glasgow Maisie worked as a
teaching assistant in her local primary school during her gap year. She particularly loved getting involved in class field games and she regularly organises fun team games at the Afty which the children love.
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Maisie dreams of going bike packing to the north of
Norway to see the northern lights, and spending a
summer travelling around Europe.
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Maisie loves her dad’s homemade curry and naan breads which she hopes he’ll teach her to make one day.
Her favourite colour is blue.
JACQUELINE CASSIDY
Playworker
Jacqueline is a qualified counsellor and yoga teacher.
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She loves the outdoors where she enjoys
walking her dogs as well as the
odd spot of water colour painting.
Her calm and thoughtful approach along with her love of art and nature are a fantastic combination when working with the children at the Afty.
Jacqueline does regular yoga sessions the children - themed around building confidence, improving concentration and promoting strong healthy bodies.
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Jacqueline's daughter also attends Notre Dame Primary School.
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Her favourite colour is blue.
EMILY MORICONI
Playworker
Emily is studying English, Drama, Music, French and Italian
for her Higher’s this year.
Emily is a former pupil of Notre Dame Primary School and also attended the Afty, so she's loving being back with us as a Playworker - and is using her inside knowledge and experience to ensure the children have plenty of fun activites to keep them busy.
Emily really enjoys acting and would love to become an actor in the future. She is also bilingual and speaks fluent
English and Italian.
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Her favourite colour is red.
LUCY MCBRIDE
Playworker
Lucy is studying Art, PE and Spanish
for her Higher’s this year and is also studying for a
Foundation Apprenticeship in
Social Services: Children and Young People
at college.
We're delighted to say that Lucy is another former pupil of Notre Dame Primary School. She loved her school experience so much that she's hoping to become a primary school teacher herself - and we think she'll be great!
In her spare time Lucy enjoys art and dancing.
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Her favourite colour is yellow.
KATIE BROOME
Playworker
Katie is currently studying economic and social history alongside geography at the University of Glasgow.
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In the past she has also spent time volunteering at her local primary school by supporting reading activites for children with dyslexia, as well as working in a babysitting agency.
Outside of university, Katie enjoys rowing, running,
and cycling as well as spending time
with friends and watching movies.
She also loves cats and dogs and would be
delighted to see pictures of everyone's pets.
In the future, Katie would love to travel around New Zealand and hike in the Norwegian fjords.
Her favourite colour is green.
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ALIYA WAHID
Playworker
Aliya is currently studying Primary Teaching at Glasgow University although she has already gained her
Forest Kindergarten Certificate and an
HNC in Childhood Practice.
It was while volunteering in her local primary school that Aliya recognised her desire to work alongside children - and we're delighted that she's working with us here at the Afty.
Aliya is also bilingual and speaks fluent English and Punjabi.
In her spare time Aliya enjoys travelling, long drives, watching sunsets, listening to music, doing her makeup and spending time with family and friends.
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Her favourite colour is yellow.
ZOE SMALLWOOD
Playworker
Zoe is currently studying Sociology at the University of Glasgow, before doing her PGDE in Primary Teaching.
She has already gained her Children and Young People (Social Services) Foundation Apprenticeship
as well as working as a
Support Worker for Children and Young People with Additional Support Needs (ASN) for 3 years.
In her spare time Zoe loves to spend time in nature whether that’s going for walks, camping or swimming with her friends and family,
and she loves a cosy movie night with lots of snacks.
Her favourite colour is blue.
SHANIKA NGADOU
Playworker
Shanika is studying English, Accounts and Economic
for her Highers this year and is going to continue her studies at University of Glasgow doing Business Management.
Shanika attends Notre Dame High School and as a big sister of 3, she has great experience with children
and enjoys spending time with them.
She brings enthusiasm, creativity, and great communication skills to her role, always making sure everyone feels included and engaged.
Outside of work and education, Shanika loves performing and has taken part in many theatre productions at her drama school.
Acting is a passion of Shanika’s which she would love to take further alongside her academics in the future.
Her favourite colour is blue.
MANEESA AHMED
Playworker
Maneesa is currently studying International travel and tourism with digital marketing.
In the past Maneesa studied
Child, health and social care NC level 6.
Maneesa also volunteers for various charity organisations, where she takes the lead and organises events for children and families
e.g. pantomimes, family fun days and bake sales.
Outside of studying Maneesa likes to travel, go on drives, spend time with her younger cousins and socialise with friends.
Her favourite colour is purple.
ALICIA AGNEW
Playworker
Alicia is currently in 6th year at Notre Dame High, studying maths, English, accounting, PE,
business and economics at Higher level.
Alicia is another former pupil of Notre Dame Primary
and she plans to go to Glasgow university
to study accounting and finance to become an accountant.
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She also has a passion for sports and runs 3 sports clubs every week in school for younger year groups.
In her spare time she loves to go out with her friends, watch tv shows and have movie nights
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Her favourite colour is pink
CAMERON REID
Playworker
Cameron was a pupil at notre dame primary, who has worked in the afty for 6 years since he was 16 years old.
In July 2025 he got a BSc in psychology at Edinburgh Napier university and is working towards gaining his masters with the hope of entering the field of child psychology.
Cameron is a bartender at cottiers so knows how to have a good time (and make a mean cocktail)
and in his spare time he loves being a chef in the kitchen and buying clothes !
His favorite colour is red.
REYONA ROPERS
Playworker
Reyona is an S6 student who is currently studying Econonics, English, and Psychology at a Higher level at Notre Dame High School.
Reyona plans to go continue her studies of psychology in Glasgow University, in hopes of becoming a
therapist for children.
Outside of education, Reyona loves sports with her favourite being netball. She also plays several musical instruments such as bass guitar and drums.
In her own time, Reyona likes to hang out with her friends, and go to restaurants to try new foods.
Her favourite colour is red.
RACHIDA ALAOUI
Playworker
Rachida has a PDA in Education Support Assistance and an HNC in Early Years and Childcare.
Before joining the Afty she worked in nurseries and in a primary school.
When she’s not working at the Afty she’s helping to run a family restaurant and loves to prepare healthy and delicious snacks for the children.
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Rachida loves maths challenges.
Her favourite colour is orange.
