A.P.P.L.E are a charity working with children, young people and their families. We are based at the ARTBLOCK in Acton Park opposite the Vale Estate in East Acton Ward, in the London Borough of Ealing.

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What we  do

A.P.P.L.E provide out-of-school activities and events for children, young people and their families. While

we welcome everyone, (as no one knows when and how they may need help) A.P.P.L.E is there to

support those who are experiencing disadvantage or difficulties in their lives.

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“ Your club was just the best thing that has happened to my family. Your staff provided activities,

sports, learning, trips. And most of all a lot of kindness and love. Every park should have one of these.

As a struggling single mum of 4 children I have never felt so welcomed as I did with you (A.P.P.L.E) . "

Parent – summer 2021

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A.P.P.L.E. hold to the principles we started with through changing times, fashions, and fortunes.

The following are fundamental to A.P.P.L.E:
 

FREE - because we aim to be accessible to everyone and have no division between who can afford and who cannot. Young people can walk in at any time. We support low-income families with activities and somewhere to go with their children.

DROP-IN - because having choices develops responsibility. Young people can choose when they come, for how long and what they do. We encourage our children and young people to make positive choices for themselves- in how they act with each other, what activities they take part in, what skills they learn.

Children, young people and family members know that they can come any time.

OPEN ACCESS – everyone is welcome.

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HOW WE STARTED

In 1996, a group of Acton based parents with young children (many of whom worked in Children’s,

Youth and Education services) identified a need for a safe, creative space for local families, somewhere to socialise and for interesting activities for the children and young people. Together we evolved a clear set of ideas on what resources our community needed to thrive and how to grow such an organisation to encompass the diverse groups and different needs that made up the neighbourhood.

We focused on families- nurturing children and young people seemed key to developing responsible and actively engaged young adults who would in turn contribute to their community.

 

A.P.P.L.E formed with a committee, constitution and bank account. Initially, we started with one off

projects funded by small grants – Awards for All and The Foundation for Sports and Arts. We added a Summer Art Project, a Summer Sport Project and a local carnival procession.

In 2003 we acquired the lease to the old toilet block in the park and set about refurbishing and

growing A.P.P.L.E.

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OUR AIMS​

We aimed to create a ‘habit’ for the ARTBLOCK, in much the same way you know to be quiet in a library. The ‘habit’ of A.P.P.L.E is to be welcoming, friendly, kind, and cooperative.

While A.P.P.L.E. is known for playing out in the park and having fun there is more to what we do. We

build long term relationships with our children and young people based on 4 main guiding principles:

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• THE NEXT STEP encompasses how we see our responsibilities to each other and it applies to us all: staff, children, young people, families and friends, as we encourage each other at every stage to take the NEXT STEP.

• ​​​WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER: Everyone contributes to creating A.P.P.L.E. The programme is constantly evolving.  Ideas come from anywhere, from an event management course for young people, to something talked about over cutting up fruit salad.

• ​​​​EXPERIENCE IT, LEARN IT, SHARE IT: to get children and young people, active, involved and taking responsibility for their time and well being. ​A.P.P.L.E. is lively and encourages children and young people to jump in and try new things and share what they learn with others.​

• SHARED SPACE: We promote shared experiences through community events that develop understanding, trust and respect. Promoting connections across communities through family activities and events.

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The differences we wish to see:

Children and young people responding to the habit of A.P.P.L.E where the emphasis is on:

• kindness and co-operation

• the ability to share (not only things but also time and knowledge)

• the ability to support your peers

• the ability to ask for help when you need it

• the ability to receive support from others when you need it.

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 Children and young people participating in community projects to develop

 • connection to the locality they live in

• the habit of community involvement and, a connection and responsibility toward where you live

and the people you live among.

• team work; working with others from other schools, estates, organisations, age groups, backgrounds.

• an understanding of belonging (outside of family): amongst your friends, A.P.P.L.E, the park, the neighbourhood and the wider community.

 

Why  it  matters

Acton has areas of deprivation amidst areas of rising affluence. In our local schools, East Acton Primary for example, 36% of their role are registered for free school meals, higher than the national average. From Acton High School “The majority of the students are from minority ethnic groups and almost two thirds of students speak English as an additional language. The proportion of students known to be eligible for free school meals and to be eligible for the pupil premium, identified as disabled or with special educational needs, and with statements is higher than the national average. 24.8% free school meals against 16.8% the borough average. 66% of the school role where English is not the first language.”

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​Many children and young people attending A.P.P.L.E have experienced, food insecurity, evictions, arrival in the UK, bereavement, anti social behaviour as both perpetrator and victim ,Covid 19 with locked downs and disruption to their education. While they are at A.P.P.L.E we do the best to create a calm, safe, positive environment in which they can begin to make positive choices for themselves. A.P.P.L.E. attracts those who are experiencing difficulties somewhere in their lives. They find us mainly through word of mouth, a friend telling a friend. We are somewhere where children and young people can feel supported and find a path through for themselves.