Acton Play Projects and Leisure Events (A.P.P.L.E.), a charity based in East Acton, Ealing, has received a £10,000 grant from HS2 to deliver a series of art sessions for young people across the year.
A.P.P.L.E. has worked with young people to provide after-school activities and events across the summer term, supporting families throughout the Borough for almost 20 years. Sessions are free, allowing young people to access high quality activities that encourage creativity and skill development.
The HS2 grant will help deliver thirty after-school, term-time sessions for up to 16 Year 5 and 6 pupils from John Perryn Primary School. The charity will also hold four drop-in, open access sessions in June and July at the Art Block, the charity’s headquarters in Acton Park, East Acton Lane. The sessions are designed to prepare for the Acton Carnival on 15th July 2023, a well-loved community event that features many local voluntary groups.
The sessions offer creative activities including painting, sculpture, photography, printing, mosaics, environmental installations and any other art form suggested by young people using the service.
Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds.
“A.P.P.L.E. has served the people of Ealing for almost two decades, and it’s right that we recognise this valuable contribution through our Community & Environment Fund.
“Their team has put forward an exciting programme of activities across this year that will have a direct positive impact on the communities where HS2 is building. I would encourage any organisation demonstrably impacted by HS2 construction to check their eligibility for funding.”
Vicki Barker, Co-founder and Project Coordinator at A.P.P.L.E. said:
“A.P.P.L.E. are delighted with the grant from HS2. It means that we can continue Art Club at John Perryn Primary School. It is always amazing the imagination and creativity of the children that come to Art Club.”
Starting in 2017, HS2 created the Community & Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund to aid community groups and business partnerships impacted by the construction of Phase One (London to Birmingham) and Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) of the HS2 project. The funds are independently administered by community charity Groundwork.
Old Oak Common Station, HS2’s fourteen platform super-hub, is currently under construction in the area. When built, it will be the best-connected and largest new railway station ever built in the UK.
