Fiona Da Silva-Adams 2021 Business Growth & Plans

Today we're talking to Fiona (FI) Da Silva-Adams, founder & managing director of Revolution Performing Arts (RPA) and RPA Rapport Community Interest Company based in Wanborough and operating in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire & Oxfordshire. RPA & Rapport uses the power of performing arts to nurture, empower, celebrate uniqueness and build confidence & self esteem in young people aged 4-18 years with a gentle, child centred approach.

It's April - how does this month fit into the ebb & flow of your year? 

We are delighted to celebrate our return to face to face classes this very week! We are also planning our two residentials, our film “Acts of Kindness” which we hope to premiere at The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon in June and also full steam ahead for lots of fabulous fun holiday workshops throughout the summer holidays.  

April for RPA is the countdown to summer and preparing and booking for 2022. We have ensured that all the young people have fabulous opportunities for friendship, their wellbeing and mental health to counteract the isolation of lockdown. 

Are you in a business which is either opening up this month – or preparing to open up? 

Yes! We have missed the young people so much! We have used our Covid time well by preparing, training & developing our leaders to be the best they can be.  

Last lockdown, schools were the last to open up and this time it is the community centres, so we have had a gradual return since 10th March 2021 and now the momentum is building and we have more enquiries than ever, ready for a turbo charged restart this week. 

What are you most looking forward to as the country tries to ‘open up’?

Hugging! I am a real hugger. So many people have said that they thought of me when social distancing was put in place. I am seriously bereft! So much of what I do is about connecting with people so to not have that emotional connection has been very difficult. My family have been subject to too much hugging from me but needs must!  I still have a few months to go until social distancing lifts but I will be ‘armed’ and ready, #hugsarefree!

It’s also Stress Awareness Month, what measures have you taken in your business to reduce the stress on yourself & your team?

I often spend time in the garden and breath in the fresh air to ground myself and not feel alone. I think the more you connect with nature it makes you feel part of something bigger.  

My team have met regularly on Zoom to support each other; listen and offer encouragement. Being a freelancer is often isolating, add Covid into the mix and its not a good combination.  

When allowed to exercise with one other person, often I would meet with a leader to walk and talk in nature. It is good for the soul and gives good perspective. My team are so supportive of each other. Covid has reinforced my theory that you are so much more than the sum of your parts. We are planning on quite a celebratory Christmas lunch. They really do deserve it.

What do you do personally to support your health and wellbeing? 

I meditate. Hold crystals and make affirmations. It is brilliant for a positive mindset. I also think when you need to rest, you must rest. I make no apology for that.

Do you see your product/service as one which supports the health and wellbeing of others such as your clients? 

Totally! Not only to young people but to families too! The arts have long been seen as an antidote to stress and anxiety. To act gives you role play and a sense of escapism; to sing gives you an endorphin release and a voice to be heard and listened to and to dance and move to music gives a primal human need to connect to rhythm – like  a heartbeat.

As the year goes on, will you take health and wellbeing more seriously going forward?

We have always taken health and wellbeing seriously. It is the core of our ethos not only for our young people but for our team too. The whole RPA family.

Have you got any Spring services or special offers you’d like to mention?

Yes. Our classes will be re-opening to face to face inter-action and we have spaces available. Free trials are available too. Also booking opens after the Easter holidays for our summer workshops! Its going to be so much fun. We can really let our hair down!

And finally?

It's time for us all to rebuild and reconnect. Mental health has really taken a battering over this last year. It’s a time for us to consider the important things in humanity and help to restore ourselves again.

For more information visit www.revolutionpa.co.uk