MORE THAN 2,000 ‘HAF’ SPACES ON OFFER FOR THE REVOLUTION PERFORMING ARTS’ SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

Swindon-based Revolution Performing Arts (RPA) – one of the South West’s leading performing arts companies – has more than 2,000 summer Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) places available for young people aged between four and 18 years.

The HAF sessions, which were originally launched last year by celebrity footballer, Marcus Rashford MBE, have been so successful that RPA is again offering support to families on low income and to children who receive benefits-related free school meals. The scheme allows all children to take part in the performing arts sessions on an equal footing regardless of family income.

The Government’s £220 million HAF programme has been available to councils across the country to run the programmes locally through various holiday clubs. Thousands of young people have already benefitted and those clubs must commit to provide nutritious food as well as activities like arts and crafts, sport and music to the children who would normally get free school meals during term time at school. 

RPA is the only performing arts company in Swindon offering this programme and has 40 places available at each qualifying session, making a total of 2,240 places throughout the summer. 

Founder of RPA, Fi Da Silva Adams, said: “School holidays can be a particularly difficult time for some families due to increased food and childcare costs and reduced incomes and it can mean that families struggle to provide both food and activities for children.

“Back in the day, I was one of those children so I know what it feels like and, for me, dancing and singing were my salvation. To be able to support all children now with such joyous activities, regardless of their family’s financial situation is such a blessing for me and my team.”

The activities on offer in the HAF programme at RPA are singing, dancing, acting, circus and physical theatre workshops, arts and crafts, loom bands, den building, Nerf guns and outdoor activities.

RPA is offering 40 places each morning and each afternoon for four days over four weeks at three different venues.

“With Covid19 having affected so many young people’s mental health, our young boys and girls need to feel great now, so I am doing all I can,” said Fi.

The HAF Programme is being held at the following three venues: The Croft Primary School, Marlborough Lane, Swindon SN3 1RA; Swindon Academy, Beech Avenue, Swindon SN2 1JR and Westrop Primary School, Newburgh Place in Highworth, SN6 7DN. 

All the RPA leaders have enhanced DBS police checks and have received full safe-guarding and first aid training.

Fi’s message to parents and carers is this: “RPA is all about warmth, love and inclusion. The children don’t have to have any special talents and there are no auditions or exams. They come here to enjoy themselves and shine!”

To register an interest in booking, please contact RPA at: https://revolutionpa.co.uk or email [email protected] for any questions about the HAF programme and how to access it.