Delivering summer HAF Schemes across the regionOver summer 2025 we delivered HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) schemes in not one but 3 local authorities: Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton.  The HAF programme was rolled out by the government in 2021 and provides free holiday provision including healthy food and enriching activities for low-income households. Evidence shows that free holiday clubs can have a positive impact on children and young people. It also encourages children to eat healthily over the school holidays, remain active, take part in activities that support resilience, character and wellbeing and fosters a sense of achievement. This fits in with RAW’s own ethos, that ‘art is good for everyone’ and our purpose which is ‘to engage people in meaningful creative experiences that enable them to build their confidence, meet new people, develop skills and break down barriers’ RAW aimed to achieve the following outcomes, among others, for the young people we worked with in this scheme:
We have been a HAF provider to City of Wolverhampton Council for many years and it’s been our aim to develop this offer into other authorities and so we chose 2 neighbouring areas, Dudley and Sandwell this summer, a week of activities in each. SANDWELL HAF – Wednesbury Library 28.7.25 – 1.8.25 What a brilliant first time delivering our first Sandwell Summer HAF project at the beautiful Wednesbury Library, a Carnegie Library. The young people did loads of creative projects such as charcoal drawings, Escher tessellations, clay pots, mask making and Steve from Minecraft cartoons. We included some education about healthy lifestyles, including Arcimboldo style portraits with real fruit (which they then ate!); drawings of fruit and vegetable faces, and the children wrote affirmations on tags and placed them on large cardboard fruits, and some British Sign Language fruit and veg vocab. They had chance for some physical activity at lunchtimes in the neighbouring memorial garden. Thanks to all our staff and volunteers for their help, and of course Sandwell Holiday Activities and Department for Education for funding the sessions and many more across the borough. Thanks also to 2 Much Passion CIC for providing delicious hot food this week. SELECTION OF PHOTOS       QUOTES FROM LEARNERS28.7.25 QUOTES FROM PARENTSMy son had a brilliant time, he even asked for another day he could go, the staff was amazing, wished they had more dates, really hope next school holidays there more dates. DUDLEY HAF – Green Park Community Centre 4.8.25 – 8.8.25We had use of the classroom at Green Park Community Centre, DY2 7LG. At lunchtimes we were able to use the small playground and neighbouring football courts to allow the children to get some fresh air and exercise. Many of the young people who attended had additional needs and health conditions. Thanks to Dudley HAF and Department for Education for funding these sessions. SELECTION OF PHOTOS 
QUOTES FROM LEARNERSToday the activity I have enjoyed the most is using your imagination to create pictures with fruit QUOTES FROM PARENTS“M attended the workshop and really enjoyed it. Thank you so much.” WOLVERHAMPTON HAF SCHEME – 11.8.25 – 22.8.25We hired the hall at Workspace, ASAN (All Saints Action Network) WV2 1EL. At lunchtimes we were able to use the football courts over the road (weather permitting) to allow the children to get some fresh air and exercise. We also commissioned 3 external professionals to lead sessions as part of our offer: a Qigong teacher who led a gentle martial art to encourage mindful movement; a garment customising expert and an art therapist who led a motivating carnival making session. We were fully subscribed for this project, having delivered for several years in Wolverhampton we have built up a good reputation for engaging with young people and get a lot of repeat bookings, alongside some new participants. Selection of Photos     QUOTES FROM LEARNERSFrom ‘Thought of the Day’ slips: QUOTES FROM PARENTS“Our child has SEND, is autistic and has a complex presentation which can vary widely from day to day and even minute to minute. Real Arts Workshops have gone above and beyond in making reasonable adjustments to enable his participation in every holiday season for the past few years, and in managing any incidents appropriately when they do happen. This is the only HAF provider we have used in the last year, and we are most grateful for the opportunities RAW have afforded us.” We are running a Winter HAF scheme in Wolverhampton on Monday 22nd - Wednesday 24th December 2025 at All Saints Action Network (ASAN) and on Friday 2nd January 2026 at Bob Jones Community Centre. We are also considering other areas and will post here as soon as applications for families are open.
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A compilation of some of the stand out moments of 2020 for RAW (Real Arts Workshops).
We adapted our business in the face of a global pandemic and were able to reach many people with our (now largely online) workshops. We are grateful that our staff and volunteers remained fit and well and hope that the Arts will be recognised as one of the heroes of 2020 in terms of people's sense of wellbeing. It has been so for us. We wish all our Facebook followers a Happy New Year and hope that 2021 is a year of sustained growth for everyone. Now, so long 2020! Our Summer Programme for City of Wolverhampton Council We had a great experience over the 6 weeks summer holidays, delivering our "Summer Art Activities" programme for City of Wolverhampton Council's #WVHolidaySquad and #YES -Youth Engagement Strategy. We designed and delivered a wide variety of art and craft activities for young people 10-16 and were totally blown away by the quality of work. A few photos...Our programme was delivered in two Covid 19 secure venues: 2 weeks at The Workspace, All Saints and 4 weeks at The Way Youth Zone. We observed the government guidelines for performing arts which also covers art groups like ours and are pleased to report no cases of Covid 19. This includes providing separate resource packs so there is no sharing of resources, social distancing and frequent hand washing among other things. Credit has to go to the young people who worked with enthusiasm throughout and were very sensible in observing these measures.
We reached many young people who were referred via Strengthening Families Hubs throughout the city. These young people were from different ethnic backgrounds; White British, Asian, Pakistani, Arab, Eastern European and Black Afro Caribbean. A few more photos...! We delivered some British Sign Language training along the way - in a fun and accessible way - WITH PRIZES!! Your New Normal. My Normal When we heard about the Common Ground project called “Your New Normal, My Normal”, organised by Changing Our Lives and funded by the Co-Op Foundation, about tackling loneliness in young people we did a couple of workshops with the young people and entered some of their work for the project. A judging panel chose not one but FOUR pieces of work by the young people which is currently in an online exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. We think exhibitions are a great way to celebrate the successes of people and go some way to building confidence in skills knowing that there is an audience for their work. Here is the link to the exhibition; https://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/changingourlives/ Pom-Poms 4 Loneliness
We were delighted to link up with Pom-Poms 4 Loneliness during this project. Pom-Poms 4 Loneliness is dedicated to the distribution of home made pom poms in and around the Black Country. Each pom-pom represents a lonely or isolated person and by 'Pom-Bombing' they raise awareness about the situation that can face anyone. Our young people spent a day making pom-poms which they donated to the cause! Yet more pics....!FeedbackWe think they have all did incredibly well and have had the opportunity to try many different art forms and find their 'niche'. We received some lovely feedback:
We’d like to thank Wolverhampton City Council for funding this project and OnBoard Corrugated for donating cardboard for our group to use. Special thanks to our volunteers Wayne, Sarah, Rachel, Sandra and Olivia who made this all possible, and our BSL interpreters Mad and Jemma  Here’s just a few of the things we did:
2020 is clearly a year that will go down in history. The world has been rocked by a global pandemic and the toll on personal lives is huge and the effects will be felt for years to come. We have been very busy doing what we can to continue to reach our audiences as we strongly believe that there is no better time for people to engage in arts activities - not least because of the numerous positive mental well being benefits. Here are a few of the things that have kept us busy during this time - please do get in touch if you'd like any more information about any of this activity. Free online resources during Covid-19You may already have seen that we have created a new page on this site dedicated to free resources, downloads and 'how to' guides during Covid-19. Click on 'Free Resources During Covid-19'. Please do have a look and scroll to see if there is something that interests you and feel free to share with your contacts. This has meant we have been able to produce worksheets, videos and activities which we might not have done otherwise.   An example of an art activity on the RAW Free Resources area.  Art activity packsWe were delighted to be asked by our regular customer, Mossley Big Local to provide 100 art activity packs to residents of all ages. These are funded by Lottery Community Fund so there is no cost to families. The bags include a biodegrade carrier, basic art materials and we have created bespoke creative activities worksheets for which we think most households will already have resources for. We also delivered a number of packs to Mattesly Court Housing 21 residential home for older people. Feedback has been great and there are a few photos below.  Gary (L) and Alex deliver 100 art activity packs to Mossley Big Local
Virtual Art WorkshopsWe are very lucky to live in age where technology can bring people together. During Covid-19 we have used video conferencing apps to be able to deliver virtual art sessions to a number of customers. We don't think you can beat face to face contact however this tech has enabled us to deliver demonstrations and facilitate sessions with a number of different groups - some which rely on art activity to keep the mind and bodies active. This has also meant we have developed planning strategies which we will continue after lockdown.  Virtual portrait drawing workshop at BID services, Birmingham Above, wonderful self portraits at Bid Services, Birmingham  Rock painting workshop for Mossley Big Local Above, just a few photos from recent weekly community art club sessions for Mossley Big Local  Above, some of the artwork created by young people attending the online #BigLinkUp sessions for the Hub at Ashmore Park, Wolverhampton Alex on WCR Radio every MondayAlex has been doing regular weekly interviews with Chris Allen on Wolverhampton's WCR radio on Monday mornings, around 10-11am - talking about the importance of staying active creatively during Covid-19 and setting a weekly creative challenge. Click the logo below to visit their website which has listen live and listen again facilities.
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AuthorReal Arts Workshops is an independent arts company based in the Black Country, providing bespoke workshops for various organisations and groups. Archives
February 2026
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