Skate Park Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

LS-TEN aim to provide a safe, engaging and inclusive environment, reducing inequality and raising aspirations using sport & education.

Through Leeds Community Foundations High Sheriff Fund, they were able to provide skateboarding sessions to raise aspirations and celebrate diversity through alternative sports to improve the lives of young people in the area, encouraging role model behaviour and prevent anti-social behaviour.

 

• Can you describe your organisation and the people/communities you support? 

LS-TEN is a Leeds based charity in Hunslet, aiming to provide a safe, inclusive and engaging environment, reducing inequality and raising aspirations through sport and education. We’re home to a large indoor Skatepark which opens to the public and for private coaching sessions with schools and youth groups, and also an Alternative Provision which aims to re-engage young people who may have difficulties within a mainstream educational setting. We also deliver community projects across Leeds, introducing young people to wheeled sports such as Skateboarding, Scootering and BMX Biking.

 

• How have you been supported by Leeds Community Foundation and what has this funding enabled you to do? 

We received funding to deliver six two-hour Skateboard Coaching sessions at Armley Skatepark during the Easter Holidays, providing all equipment and two coaches. Our aim was to raise aspirations and celebrate diversity through the inclusive medium of Skateboarding, while encouraging role model behavior and preventing anti-social behavior.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, sporting opportunities and fun, engaging activities for young people had been severely limited, leading to boredom and inactivity which causes many young people in the area to turn to anti-social behavior. We aimed to provide young people with a new activity that can become a longstanding and positive influence in their lives, while also improving their social skills and encouraging new friendships.

 

• Can you give us an example of an individual and or group and how they have responded to this work?

One group of young people, a mix of boys and girls from the area attended each session we delivered, keen to develop their skills and build their confidence with the help of our coaches. This small cohort of skatepark users expressed how exciting it was to see a fun alternative activity on offer in their area, and commented that there isn’t a huge amount on offer for them throughout the school holidays.

The young people involved in the project requested we go back to the skatepark in summer to deliver more activities, and also asked for assistance in terms of how to approach the council with any concerns around the skatepark. We ensured that we signposted all attendees to our other wheeled sports activities, to give them the opportunity to continue developing their skills.

 

• What challenges and opportunities do you face as an organisation in the current climate?

Due to lockdowns and restrictions, we have at times had no option but to close the skatepark and pause our community activities. Our Alternative Provision continued to operate, providing a vital service to our most vulnerable young people and ensuring they received the same support throughout a very difficult time.

The closure of the skatepark allowed us to make vital improvements to the facility, including a large scale refurbishment thanks to Volunteer It Yourself and SkateboardGB, which has helped to ensure our long term sustainability and provide the best possible experience for all our users. The new layout has been very well received by both new and existing skatepark users, and consists of elements suitable for both beginners and advanced riders allowing us to remain inclusive of all skill levels.

 

• How is your organisation preparing for the future, and what kind of funding is needed?

After Skateboarding and Freestyle BMX were included in the Tokyo Olympic Games, demand for coaching is on the increase with more and more diverse groups of young people getting involved, and we are well placed to inspire the next generation of Olympic Champions through our passionate and dedicated team of coaches.

We are also seeking funding for ongoing improvements to our facility, which will allow us to become even more inclusive as an organisation in the future. With the help of organisations such as Leeds Community Foundation, we can increase our reach and provide vital alternative activities to young people and families around Leeds who need it most.