Project Overview: The project was designed as Jason identified a need to find a wat to give continuous skateboard lessons to those that are unable to afford private ones. The project aim was to get twelve young people together on a weekly basis to develop new skateboarding skills as well as growing friendships amongst their peers. For eight consecutive weeks, Let’s Go Skate were at the skatepark (Yaxley & Brampton) providing tuition and equipment for young people to have a go. Jason was involved as the key lead and instructor plus Steph Webb as the Youth Worker was on hand to provide additional support. There were 10 young people per group and there were two sessions at Yaxley and two sessions at Brampton per week.
“My favourite thing has been going up and down these ramps”.
“I’ve been enjoying it so much that my Mum has booked me in for some more lessons”
Impact of the Project: Jason is really pleased with the impact that this project has had – young people from various backgrounds have benefitted. There have been those who rarely participate in any form of exercise and those who rarely leave their houses giving it a go. These young people now have the skills that they will be able to draw upon at any point in the future.
The main thing that Jason has learnt from the project is that it is just as important for him to focus on the by-products of having lessons as well as the actual skills on the skateboard. Instead of always trying to get constant new skateboard techniques learnt, its actually more important at times to focus on growing friendships amongst young people and communities as well as confidence building in their own physical beliefs.
Moving Forward: As soon as the project ended, Jason offered everyone the option to continue the project on. The difference this time being that the charge for the sessions was being given to the family and not funded by Living Sport through the Together Fund. Jason has 10 of the 40 young people sign-up which is a great result.
Sophie Etheridge – Adaptive Athlete “I have always swum but not always been disabled…” Sophie, a determined and passionate individual, has faced numerous challenges since her cycling accident in 2011.
Once this framework has been published, we encourage partners to consider how they can implement the framework to make a real change for disabled people to access physical activity, sport, and leisure in the way they want, when they want, with no barriers placed on them by society.
In partnership with the South Care Partnership, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICS and Cambridge United Community Trust, Living Sport are coordinating a walking football project in South Cambridgeshire running from March 2023.
Our aim is to improve health, happiness and wellbeing by supporting people to be active, in a meaningful way through programmes, events and influencing policy. Your donations are hugely appreciated and help make this possible.
