Love. Skate. Create.
We think skateboarding contributes to the wellbeing, prosperity and culture of our communities in ways that are not recognised by the mainstream.
Community. Collaboration.
Co-creation.
We are skateboarders inspiring other skateboarders, their family, friends, supporters and the wider community to bring places to life
We organise young people and the skateboard family to turn unimaginative, poorly considered or neglected places into energetic spaces of positivity and community
We galvanise community with social development programmes for active participation in sport, art & culture
We work with local community partners - local government, property developers, businesses, residents and community groups - to nourish all of our creative, collaborative and communal spirit.
Sports + Leisure.
We are delighted to showcase Sports and Leisure, filmed during the build of Bournbrook DIY skatepark in Birmingham. Filmed and edited by @spreadeagle_sportsandleisure. Many thanks.
Who are we?
Established in October 2020, Birmingham Skate Spaces is a registered Community Interest Company (Birmingham Skate Spaces CIC registered number 12945008) that is increasing the wellbeing, cultural prosperity and health of Birmingham by building outdoor and indoor skateparks.
Together with volunteers, local authorities and supportive enterprises, we are creating ‘skate spaces’ which are purposeful and valuable to all people for skateboarding sports and events, social interaction, creative expression and better mental health.
Why Skateboarding
Now an Olympic sport Skateboarding is a growing sport, and is a sport with a strong and growing record in attracting new people into physical activity and, in particular, working effectively with young people and under-represented groups.
Skateboarding is very accessible. The type of youngsters who take up skateboarding tend not to engage with football, cricket, golf, running, cycling, etc. and are currently missing out on the various initiatives being delivered by other providers.
Skateboarding provides a lively, vibrant and diverse scene dominated by a youth population. The majority of skateboarders are aged between 11 and 16 with approximately 85% male participation. That said, skateboarding is providing an increasing number of girls with a channel to engage with sports and activity and has seen a 24% increase in the last year. These people will benefit from a skatepark as currently there are limited community environments for skaters to use in Birmingham.
Support the community
Our activities will provide benefit to people by providing a safe space for them to socialise and take part in skate park activities as well as other community interests such as gardening/landscaping as well as graffiti and other art based projects.
Our spaces are of benefit to a mixed demographic of young people, the parents of the young people taking part and the wider community by providing safe spaces and meaningful activity.
Our aspirations are to be able to offer free skateboarding lessons to people who may not have the means to pay for lessons.
We will teach more people how to build skateparks to the appropriate British Standard that are safe to use. These skills we hope will help people who may be disengaged, perhaps unemployed and these transferable skills we hope will allow people to perhaps enter work spaces that they would not have previously had experience in.
The gardening aspect of our projects is important we intend to encourage people to learn gardening skills, in particular for themselves and to help maintain and create green spaces.