A REDDITCH skate project is celebrating after securing over £4,000 in funding from children’s charity Oakland Foundation.
Known as the largest outdoor supervised skatepark in the UK, the Redditch Wheels Project utilise this positive youth sports culture to improve conditions of life of young people.
Located at Redditch Outdoor Skatepark in Arrow Valley Park South, the project will ensure children between seven and sixteen years from the most disadvantaged areas within Redditch can access the skatepark during school holidays as well as providing the children with a free lunch.
The provision will also include BMX, Sooter and safety gear hire.
Project Director Steve Rooke said: “We just want to say a big thank you to Oakland Foundation for their funding which will enable us to expand our provision and address local socio-economic barriers to participation such as entry fees and equipment cost.
“This will support young people to participate, especially now families may be struggling with the rising cost of living.”
Redditch Skatepark attracts attendees from across all areas of the town and beyond and focuses offering activity participation that becomes a way of life.
The project aims to help improve the lives of young people through BMX, skateboarding, inline skating, stunt scootering and many other activities involving wheels providing somewhere to go and something to do in a safe supervised environment.
Steve added: “Being located between two of the most deprived areas of Redditch Winyates and Woodrow it attracts attendees from all of the deprived areas of the town and beyond offering activity participation that becomes a way of life.
“Once young people are introduced into the skatepark lifestyle they find common ground in skating and BMX, as all the barriers of territory, race and social background are broken down.”
Oakland Foundation grant application Coordinator Debbie Roberts said: “Oakland Foundation is delighted to fund Redditch Wheels Project’s holiday programme which will ensure many more young people can participate during the school holidays.
“What they do at the skatepark is wonderful as staff actually ride with the young people until they build up their confidence. BMX and Skateboarding are great sports, and now many more children and young people have the chance to participate.”
