Supporting future Olympic skateboarders with £28k donation

Nottingham is set to be a central hub for Olympic skateboarding hopefuls, following a £28,000 donation from us, to help support the renovation of Flo Skatepark.

The indoor ramps at the skatepark, on Poulton Drive, have been renovated by a team of young people recruited and supported by Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) who were taught vocational trade skills on the job by VIY Trade Mentors. The project was jointly match-funded, through VIY, by Persimmon Plc and Sport England, in partnership with Skateboard GB.

A team of training and construction experts from Persimmon, including from the Nottingham regional business, also volunteered on the project and shared their skills, as 30 young people learned and applied vocational skills including carpentry and joinery, while working to renovate the ramps and create a new street course. The majority  of young people also achieved an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds skills accreditation as a result of taking part.

VIY works with young people aged 14 to 24 on community facility improvement projects throughout the UK, challenging and encouraging young people (who are not in employment, education or training or at risk of disengagement) to learn trade skills, boost their employability and ultimately progress beyond VIY into the construction sector and apprenticeships.

Zenon Pointon, Contracts Manager for Persimmon Homes Nottingham, shared his expertise on the project.

He said: “It was a pleasure to give my time and guidance to the enthusiastic team of volunteers. It was a fulfilling project to be part of and we hope it has inspired more young people to pursue a career in construction, in particular joinery.”

Paul Curry, Group Training Manager for Persimmon Plc, said: “We are committed to investing and nurturing our future workforce and developing careers through the Persimmon Pathway training programme. VIY provide a valuable link to young people looking at forging a skilled career and their ethos of mentoring and working within the community resonates with our corporate approach of not only leaving a legacy for the community but also developing opportunities for local young people.”

Leading skateboard designers Four One Four also worked on the project to help transform the previous linear format creating greater space and accessibility for all abilities and levels. 

Flo Skatepark trustee, Andy Wright said: “The new street course design now flows around the building, providing greater capacity to develop skills. New lines, ledges, rails and over-vert corner ramps have been installed, allowing both pro skaters and beginners to comfortably coexist and develop. We were thrilled to have secured the practical and financial support that now gives us the central status for nurturing Olympic talent.”

Ben Fisher, Project Manager for VIY, said: “It is immensely rewarding to work with young people who find mainstream education and training challenging. Our professional trade mentors are vitally important for the success of our projects, as they not only bring practical skills but valuable and inspirational industry life experiences. Without the financial support of Persimmon Plc and Sport England this project would have never been possible so on behalf of Flo Skatepark and VIY we are very grateful.”