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Skates4Mates — Keep us rolling
Joy is a radical act.
People seeking sanctuary in the UK arrive into a system designed to exclude, isolate and make life hard. Skates4Mates is a community-designed rollerskating and rollerdance programme supporting wellbeing, confidence and social inclusion with people seeking sanctuary in the UK.
We work at every level:
- with individuals through workshops, kit and pastoral care,
- with communities through events and connection, and
- with wider society by bringing people together across difference.
The World Health Organisation confirms what we already know — arts engagement strengthens the wellbeing of displaced people and the communities around them.
We started in November 2024 and already we cannot keep up with demand.
What we do
We offer free introductory workshops in rollerskating and rollerdance skills in a supportive and fun environment.
Every participant in Skates4Mates receives their own pair of rollerskates and full safety equipment to keep, so they can skate for as long as they want, wherever they want, long after the programme ends.
Your own skates connect you to one of the most welcoming and diverse communities in the world. The global skate community doesn't care where you're from or how you got here. We've seen participants turn up at skate parks, join local crews, travel to festivals and make friends across the country.
We also run community events and opportunities that connect participants with the wider skating world, alongside pastoral care and wider support.
We are excited to announce that we have recently partnered with Double Threat Skates, an all-female owned skate shop, who supply brand new, high quality gear at heavily discounted prices for about the same cost as second-hand, but without the hours of sourcing.
Good quality gear matters. As well as being imperative for safety, it is one of the ways we demonstrate that every person who joins the programme is worth investing in. Everyone gets kit that works, fits properly and is theirs to keep.
What participants say
"When they skate, people move out of their way. Now they're not migrants, they're skaters. It's changed their lives." — Majid Dhana, 432 Nomads, partner organisation
"Right now, I am a skater. I teach other people how to skate. When people ask me what I do, I say skating and football." — Mo, Cohort 1
Mo joined Skates4Mates in November 2024. He had never skated before. Within a year he had travelled to a major skating festival in London, appeared in a short film, and moved to a new city where he now teaches other people to skate. He still has his skates.
"I was tired and overthinking. It got rid of the overthinking. I found friends." — Jon, Cohort 2
What we've achieved
Since November 2024:
- 93% of our first cohort completed the full programme
- 100% of participants reported new friendships and increased confidence
- Over 30 people have attended our introductory workshops and have their own skates and gear
- 45 people are currently on our waiting list
- Masterclass with Frankie J AKA thereddreadhouseheadinternationally recognised jamskate artist
- Participants have travelled to Roll On Festival in London where they connected with skaters from around the world, and built friendships that continue long after the sessions end
- We have been featured in The Big Issue
- Invited to Counterpoints Arts' Holding Space Conference in 2026
- Invited speaker at The Sidebar Skoll Week 2026, Oxford — Refugees and Migrant Workers: Pathways to Dignity, Work and Inclusion
- Nominated for the European Creativity for Social Change Award(2025 and 2026)
- Won Honourable Mention, Global Arts Prize Legacy Award
What's happening right now
New sessions - We are currently running two new cohorts, including a women-only group that had the most oversubscribed taster session the host organisation has seen in two years.
“I feel happy!” - Sina, cohort 3
New event - We are preparing for our first ever street skate: the Ride Joy Roll Out on 21 June through Portsmouth for Refugee Week 2026.
New training - And we are beginning something we are really proud of: training previous participants to become coaches. Mo already teaches people to skate in his new city. He is proof that when someone has something as simple as skates and a community, the ripple goes far further than the programme.
What's next
We are planning more masterclass and community connector events, and are in early conversations to bring Skates4Mates to two new cities in 2026 and 2027.
What your donation covers
- A pair of rollerskates: £65
- ⛑ A helmet: £25
- Full protective pads: £20
- A Skates4Mates t-shirt: £15
- A kit bag to carry it all: £15
- Full kit for one participant: £140
- One session training a participant to become a coach: £150
- One full workshop for 15 people including space hire, lead coach, assistant coach, travel and pastoral support: £700
Join us on 21 June for the Ride Joy Roll Out
Roll out with us through Portsmouth for Refugee Week 2026. Free to attend, everyone welcome — bring your skates, blades, boards or just your feet.
Register on Eventbrite: HERE
Come find us and please feel free to share our story on Instagram
Every donation, however small, keeps someone skating.
Thank you.