Our Stories:
Meet Tosh

“I’m the Chief Operating Officer at LS-TEN, based in Hunslet, Leeds. At the beginning of 2019, with the sudden closure of The Works Skatepark, several team members, including myself, volunteered day and night for the next 3 months and finally managed to get LS-TEN up and running.

LS-TEN is more than just a skatepark. We have a school for young people who may not fit into mainstream school for one reason or another and come here full time. The aim for these young people, who take part in subjects such as maths, English and Science, is to reintegrate them back into mainstream school when they are ready. We also have a fantastic Community Department which delivers wheeled sports across Yorkshire including Skateboard Lessons, BMX cycling, Scooter riding and roller skating. We visit schools, youth clubs and parks all year round, helping develop people’s skills in these sports.

Over the past 18 months, LS-TEN has been working very closely with many 3rd sector organisations including Barca, The Youth Association, LS14 Trust, New Wortley Community Centre, Chapeltown Youth Development Centre, Re-establish, Hamara Centre, Getaway Girls and Cardigan Centre. Together we’ve created The Leeds Youth Alliance (enhanced youth work contract), delivering a range of Youth Clubs and detached youth work across East, South and West Leeds.

All the partners involved have created a very unique way of delivering youth work to those areas and young people who most need it. We don’t do this on our own though! We work very closely with the existing Youth Service and help each other out when needed. We’re all believers in collaborative working and that working in this way we are able to have a much better, positive impact on the young people in Leeds.

As well as the school and community department we have a huge indoor, and recently opened outdoor, skatepark. We’re open to the public on evenings and weekends and run a number of specific sessions including Gender Minority Nights, Men’s Mental Health Sessions, Skate and BMX Night and more, with the aim that we provide a safe place for all our users.

A special thanks needs to go out to everyone who has been involved with LS-TEN over the past 5 years (I hope I don’t forget anyone but apologies if I have), including Leeds Community Foundation, Voluntary Action Leeds, Child Friendly Leeds, Leeds Girls Can, Streetgames, Yorkshire Sport and many more!”

LS-TEN is home to an indoor skatepark and alternative education provision. They use alternative sports like skateboarding, scootering and BMX to raise aspirations and reduce inequality. They’ve received a range of funding from Leeds Community Foundation, including grants to support outreach sessions and a beginner skateboarding club. 

If you want to play your part in supporting brilliant local Community Organisations like LS-TEN, learn how you can support us, or reach out at info@leedscf.org.uk.