RELAYS is an ambitious, innovative and flexible programme of linked cultural and sporting opportunities across the region, grounded in learning. It provides an unprecedented opportunity to integrate HE’s widening participation, teaching, research and reach out remits; open up its resources and expertise; and work in collaboration with cultural, sporting, environmental and other educational organisations to build individual and community capacity, for regional benefit.  RELAYS will inspire and engage young people and their diverse communities to participate in, produce and promote cultural work and sporting activity that is respectful of, and responsive to, place and people.  It will take their learning forward and generate a positive legacy beyond the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games through the establishment of new sustainable festivals and events, an enhanced distinctive regional cultural tourism offer and the development of knowledge and skills.

RELAYS will be delivered through two activity strands. The first, Festivals and Events, comprises an annual relay of nine innovative, high quality cultural and sport festivals and events in localities across the South West, culminating in a new festival Biennale, provisionally to take place at the Eden Project.   The second, Educational Engagement, comprises six annual cultural and sport school events located across the three sub-regions (peninsula, east and north) and the delivery of cultural and sport/health curriculum activity in the community via three ‘hub clubs’, based in Bath, Gloucestershire and Plymouth and reaching out to their sub-regions.

Read more about the activity strands enhanced by underpinning support.