Supports uplifting relief work (5)
I believe the answer is:
podia
'supports' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'uplifting relief work' is the wordplay.
'uplifting' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'relief' becomes 'aid' (I've seen this before).
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'aid'+'op'='aidop'
'aidop' reversed gives 'PODIA'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for podia that I've seen before include "bases" , "Support structures for speakers" , "pedestals" , "Stands" , "Raised platforms" .)