Ystrad Skate Jam!

Our Skate Jam event is an opportunity for young people to showcase their skills on skateboards, scooters, BMX’s and roller blades! It’s an action-packed night with lots of fun activities. But for Skate Jam 2024, a group of young people asked if they could be involved in the planning of the event, as they had ideas on how to make the event more inclusive and wanted to create a survey to get residents thoughts on the local Skate Park in Ystrad Rhondda.

The group of young people wanted to make the event inviting to young people and families alike and to include the young people who use the park more as they have ownership of the park and wanted to showcase their skills and passion for the area.

The group want improvements to the skatepark and investment to make the park more accessible, safer and add lighting. Therefore, they devised their own survey, to help prove that the Skatepark was well used and people wanted investment – they requested a QR Code they could stick to their helmets and ask those attending to complete the survey.

Young people completed an application form for YEPS Young People’s funding requesting £1,000, which was successful!

The Skate Jam event was held on Friday 23rd August 5-7pm and was a huge success with over 200 people attending. The survey feedback was amazing, the group spoke to adults and young people about the Skate Park and how the Skate Park could be improved!

The event was filled with lots of fun activities for all…  James the Magician, DJ Josh, YEPS Van for gaming, arts and crafts, glitter facepainting and there was also hotdogs and drinks free of charge (thanks to ASDA Tonypandy Community champion).

The young people along with Sam (from Skateboard Academy UK) held scooter and skateboard competitions on the night for different ages, so all young people could get involved, and gave out prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place.

The group devised their own survey, the survey QR code was stickered on their helmets and on the evening they approached family and friends to complete the survey to get as much feedback as possible.

Many people said this years’ Skate Jam was the best yet – this was due to the young people being involved in the planning and leading the competitions and activities, other young people attending respected the fact the group had planned and had so much involvement in the event.