Skates4Mates: Share the love of roller skating with refugees

Jennifer Irons is fundraising to support displaced people living on the South Coast by building community through roller skating. People who arrive in this country often face a hostile environment, far from home, placed in hotels without any community.

That's where Skates4Mates comes in. Skates4Mates is a global community of skaters who want to share their love of skating. We believe in the inherent benefits of immigration and aim to change the rhetoric of anti-immigration and support displaced people by building community by sharing our love of skating.

Roller skating/ roller dance is unique in its physical benefits and creative expression through sport and dance. The skate community transcends identity - no one cares where you’re from, how you got here, or what you look like – it’s all about skating, learning from each other and being part of a shared experience.

Jennifer's own experience as an immigrant in this country is different to those seeking sanctuary, but there is a shared understanding of what it's like to be in a foreign land. She's had first-hand experience of how welcoming the skate community is and how it can support integration into the wider community. Skates4Mates exists to share the joy and community found in skating.

We are aiming to raise £2000 This will pay for:

What your support goes towards

By donating £10 you will be paying the entrance fee for a skater to enjoy the skatepark

£20 buys a helmet

£30 buys protective wrist guards and knee and elbow pads

£40 buys a 90 minute session with a skate coach

£75 buys a pair of decent quality new or second-hand skates

£100 buys a basic setup - pair of skates and safety pads

£125 buys a full setup - pair of skates, safety pads and helmet

We had 16 people participate in a month-long pilot project at a local skatepark in Portsmouth. It has been a wonderful experience for all involved and every single one of them has said they want to continue skating. The only thing stopping them is - skates!

We have 2 more groups waiting to join already. There is a clear need and desire for the project to continue.

The pilot project was seed funded by Arts Council and supported by Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth City of Sanctuary, Crying Out Loud, South East Dance plus more partners coming on board.

Arts activities can play a role in psychological, behavioural and social processes that are linked with improved mental well-being, such as supporting the preservation of personal identity, heritage and experience. Engagement in arts activities can positively impact forcibly displaced people, as well as their host community, by promoting social inclusion, social cohesion, social acceptance and belonging.

We want to ensure this programme continues and extends to more locations across the South Coast.

Please help us get there.