Celebrating 2025 & Stepping into 2026

​Celebrating 2025 & Stepping into 2026

​Celebrating an Epic 2025 at Real Arts Workshops
​​2025 was a year of growth, connection and pure creative joy for Real Arts Workshops  from hospital art sessions to wizard-level pencil drawn snakes and community celebrations. Here’s a look back at what we achieved as we brought high-quality, inclusive art experiences to people of all ages and abilities across the Midlands and beyond.
 
A big thank you to our funders, partners, supporters, attendees, volunteers, staff and freelancers who have all helped to contribute to a fantastic year and helped us to create a long lasting impact within the community. 

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​Winter / Quarter 1: Kicking Off with Creativity and Connection

​January
We started the year under the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) banner crafting wooden models, optical illusion art inspired by Howard Lee, and sketching snakes (because 2025 was  the Chinese Year of the Snake) — thanks to funding from the Department for Education, City of Wolverhampton Council, and a stellar team of volunteers.

Meanwhile, our creative journey with The Joy Project at Walsall Art Gallery took off, working with Funky Kids and Braidwood Trust School for the Deaf to empower young people through expressive art.

February
The Joy Project installation officially launched at Walsall Art Gallery — vibrant testimonies of joy and resilience on display for the community to enjoy.
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We also designed and installed Memory Pots in tribute to students and staff at Hive College, Birmingham, and launched the fresh new Real Arts Workshops website — shiny, streamlined and ready for 2025!
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March
Spring bloomed with creative purpose, we attended the Care, Create, Conserve celebration at Wolverhampton Archives, started weekly art sessions at West Park Hospital NRU (funded by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity), and shared fun content during Sign Language Week to spotlight inclusive communication. 

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Spring / Quarter 2:  Growth, Colour & Community Spirit
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April
Easter HAF was a hit with pop art card making and expressive projects. We loved seeing children signing and performing Alex’s original song “We Shine Together.”

Art and BSL sessions at West Park Hospital continued to flourish, building stronger bonds through creative expression.

May
We teamed up with Sandwell Children’s Disabled Children for imaginative Minecraft art and continued our impactful sessions at West Park.

June
June brought the first “Enjoy Art” Summer Art Festival at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, complete with snake modelling and community cheer. 

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​Summer / Quarter 3: A Creative Explosion

July
The Power Within project with Cue Sports CIC invited children and adults alike to make art that celebrates inner strength.
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The Joy Project wrapped up at Walsall Art Gallery with a vibrant closing event, and we delivered art and BSL sessions at MCC CIC in Walsall and collaborative Elizabeth Catlett and Tinga Tinga artwork with St Stephens C of E School — big, bold, joyful pieces.

We also delivered HAF schemes in Sandwell and Dudley for the first time, bringing creativity and inclusive fun to even more young people.

August
Our West Park Hospital art and BSL sessions gained continued support from DDC Engineering Ltd, lighting up minds and hands alike.
Back-to-back HAF sessions in Dudley kept young makers buzzing, and we brought the creative vibes to Same Difference Festival at West Park, Wolverhampton — celebrating youth and culture.
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September
We celebrated the Hope Community Project’s 40th anniversary with a sculpture incorporating archival material — a beautiful blend of memory and creativity — and kept the West Park workshops inspiring every week. 

Autumn / Quarter 4:  Art, Community and Bold New Projects
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October
Alex performed with Alan Warden for adults at Me Myself and I (a dementia carers’ support group). Kids lit up Compton Care with fireworks art and models.
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We took RAW to the Highways Show at NEC Birmingham alongside DDC Engineering, featuring a book designed to encourage futures in engineering and design.
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Celebrations continued at Hope Community’s 40th Anniversary, where art connected generations.

November
We launched the Adoption at Heart Digital Quilt — a breathtaking tapestry of 294 artworks made by individuals, schools, groups, and four local mayors exploring what “family” and “home” mean. The printed piece featured at St Peter’s Collegiate Church as part of Wolves Fringe Arts Fest — a true community mosaic. See the full digital version of the final quilt design here. 

December
We closed out with graffiti workshops at BID Services Birmingham, joyful Christmas Pop Art at Compton Care, and HAF sessions across Dudley, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton — creative energy all the way into the winter break. 

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What’s Coming in 2026: We’re Just Getting Started
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We’re charging into 2026 with more of the heart-filled, boundary-breaking creativity that RAW is known for:
West Park Hospital NRU Art + BSL Sessions – Funding from DDC Engineering Ltd and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity continues, meaning 13 weeks of mixed creative activities and British Sign Language learning are on the calendar. Read more about the impact the project is having here: https://bit.ly/4h0Ov7s

Free February Half-Term HAF Activities (16th–20th Feb) – Awesome sessions for HAF-eligible young people in Wolverhampton at The Workspace ASAN.  For more information  and booking visit: https://eequ.org/book/23306
WCEP Partnership – RAW continues its proud membership of the Wolverhampton Cultural Education Partnership, ensuring young people get high-quality arts and cultural opportunities throughout the year. Visit https://wolverhamptoncep.org/

Pilot Project with Birmingham Women’s & Children’s NHS Trust – An exciting, blended Art + BSL programme for staff to boost patient experience and cultural awareness launches early this year.

Deaf Community Sessions at BID Services – art workshops with the youth club and a session for adults during Sign Language Week at BID services in Birmingham https://www.bid.org.uk/.
More HAF Fun All Year Round – We’re aiming for creative wonder at Easter, Summer, and Winter holiday programmes across more areas in 2026 — so keep your art smocks ready!

Alex on the Move – Our co-director continues his trustee journey with Zebra Access CIO, championing access, inclusion, and communication for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Find more information about the charity here: www.zebra-access.com
 
Thank You for Being Part of the Story
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2025 was jam-packed with colour, connection, play, and SO much community spirit. From kids experimenting with clay to adults finding expression through art and sign language and our incredible volunteers, you made this year unforgettable.

Let’s make 2026 even bigger, bolder, and more beautiful.

Ready?

Please do get in touch with any queries / feedback on any of the articles or if you think we’d be a good match with your organisation to deliver uplifting and engaging art/BSL projects.
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