Spring Creativity in Action: RAW Delivers Two Successful Easter HAF Programmes Across Sandwell and Wolverhampton

Spring Creativity in Action: RAW Delivers Two Successful Easter HAF Programmes Across Sandwell and Wolverhampton
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​Real Arts Workshops (RAW) were delighted to deliver two vibrant and successful Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes this spring, supporting children and young people aged 7–16 across Sandwell and Wolverhampton with four days of creative learning, wellbeing activities and healthy meals at each location.

Across both programmes, participants explored new art techniques, learned British Sign Language (BSL), developed confidence, and created artworks that simply didn’t exist before they walked through the door. That’s the magic of creative space! 

​Sandwell Easter HAF at Wednesbury Library
(30 March  – 2 April 2026)

We were thrilled to return to the beautiful Grade II listed Wednesbury Library, and would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the library staff for hosting us so warmly across the week.

These sessions were funded by Sandwell Council and the Department for Education, with nutritious meals generously provided by 2 Much Passion CIC, who ensured every young person received delicious, healthy food each day.

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Day 1 – Pop Art Fruits & Deaf Awareness

The programme began with a focus on healthy lifestyle choices, exploring hydration, sleep, nutrition and physical activity. Young people then created bold Pop Art fruit canvases, linking creativity with food education in a fun and colourful way.

In the afternoon, our Deaf role model Gary delivered an inspiring Deaf awareness and British Sign Language session, sharing powerful stories about the history of access to sign language education and his own experience marching to Parliament. Participants learned fingerspelling and quickly began signing their own names to one another before enjoying BSL Bingo together.

Young people told us:
“It was good because I can understand sign language and I can tell my friends.”
“I enjoyed learning British Sign Language.”
“I enjoyed painting and I enjoyed the BSL lesson.”

Day 2 – Exploring Georges Seurat and Pointillism

Participants learned about Georges Seurat and the technique of Pointillism, before creating their own interpretations of local landmarks in that style, including:

• Wednesbury Library
• Smethwick Pumping Station
• The Tipton Slasher statue
• Elizabeth Farley Memorial
• Local football team logos

The pride in representing their own community through art was wonderful to see.

Young people shared:

“I was feeling excited and happy. I enjoyed doing the Pointillism.”
“Lunch was amazing and I could eat it all day.”
 “I loved doing the Wolves dot today!”

Day 3 – Mental Health Awareness Through Creativity and BSL

Day three focused on positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
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In the morning Gary introduced BSL vocabulary linked to hobbies, emotions and activities, supporting communication confidence while reinforcing inclusion and accessibility.

Part 2 involved Creative wellbeing activities promoting Children’s Mental Health week activities.

Activities  included:

•  A “Things that make me happy” worksheet for the young people to reflect and fill in.

•  A Personal 'little book of me' wellbeing mini-zines filled with ideas and techniques for managing mental health support and signposting for the young people to take home.

• A performance of singing and signing the song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley. The atmosphere across the session was uplifting, thoughtful and supportive.
  

Day 4 – Hama Beads and Slate Coasters​​

Our final Sandwell session celebrated creativity through making and design.
Participants created:

• 3D Hama bead models
• Decorated slate coasters to take home and use

A perfect creative ending to a packed and inspiring week.

Wolverhampton Easter HAF at the  ASAN Workspace (7th – 10th April 2026)

​We were equally delighted to return to our regular Wolverhampton venue partner All Saints Action Network, delivering another successful four-day programme funded by City of Wolverhampton Council and the Department for Education.
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The HAF programme, introduced nationally in 2021, provides free school holiday provision including meals and enriching activities for children from low-income households—and we are proud to contribute to that mission locally.
Across the week, young people explored a wide range of creative techniques while learning about healthy lifestyles and Deaf awareness.

Day 1 - Clay Modelling & Healthy Living BSL

​Participants sculpted fruit and vegetables in clay (and one particularly impressive snake!) while learning about nutrition and healthy choices.

​Gary then introduced BSL signs connected to lifestyle, hobbies and interests alongside Deaf awareness discussions that always spark curiosity and thoughtful questions.

Day 2- Watercolour Daffodils & Graphite Banana Studies

​Spring arrived in our studio through beautiful wet-in-wet daffodil watercolours, a technique that can be tricky even for adults—so we were especially proud of what the young artists achieved.

In the afternoon, participants developed observational drawing skills with graphite banana studies, exploring tone, light and shadow.
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Creative skill-building like this strengthens confidence in ways that last far beyond the session itself.

Day 3- Cardboard Sculpture & Wooden Birdhouses

​One of the most requested materials in RAW sessions is always cardboard—and it didn’t disappoint!
Young people created imaginative cardboard sculptures, followed by beautifully decorated wooden birdhouses to take home.

Our afternoon session consisted of the young people decorating wooden birdhouses. They came up with some of the most 'Tweet-tastic' creative and detailed designs and loved every minute of this activity, once again, that creativity doesn’t need expensive materials, just imagination and encouragement.

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Day 4 - World Creativity and Innovation Day Activities (Led by Jen)

​Our final Wolverhampton session, led by our creative facilitator Jen, celebrated World Creativity and Innovation Day (21 April) a week early through the creation of galaxy jars and kinetic Agamographs, inspired by artist Yaacov Agam.
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In the first part of the session the young people enjoyed a presentation about galaxy's and innovation, before 'taking off'  to make their own spectacular light-up galaxy jars, using their creative imaginations. I'm sure you will agree that they truly are 'out of this world'!

In our afternoon session the young people had fun learning about AGAMOGRAPHS, kinetic artworks devised by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam. Their innovation, willingness and inventiveness of this session was an honour to witness. 

Participants explored how creativity drives innovation across the world and how art connects to global progress—while making moving artworks that change depending on viewing angle.

A perfect celebration of curiosity, experimentation and imagination and a great way to end our week. 

Supporting Confidence, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Across both programmes, RAW aimed to support young people to:

• reduce isolation
• develop confidence
• learn new creative skills
• improve mental wellbeing
• increase awareness of communication differences
• explore healthy lifestyles
• create original artwork
• build friendships
• have fun during the holidays

Many participants attending our sessions also lived with additional needs or health conditions including:
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, epilepsy, asthma, moderate learning needs and other health conditions.
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RAW sessions are designed to be inclusive, supportive and accessible spaces where every young person can participate creatively at their own pace.

Thank you to our staff and volunteers ​

​Thanks to our Directors, staff, volunteers and sign language interpreters for all their hard work and dedication over this Easter HAF.

Meet the RAW Easter team!

Top L - R :  Courtney, Alex, Gary  & Tammy
Bottom L - R: Jen, Jemma, Leo & Taran

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Some of the feedback from our HAF Survey 

Thank You to Our Partners

​We would like to thank:

• Department for Education
• Sandwell Council
• City of Wolverhampton Council
• Wednesbury Library
• All Saints Action Network 
• 2 Much Passion CIC
• our Deaf role model Gary
• our staff, interpreters and volunteers

for helping make these programmes such a success.

Together, we created safe spaces where creativity could flourish across Sandwell and Wolverhampton, and where young people could leave feeling more confident, connected and inspired than when they arrived.
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We’re already looking forward to the next one.