Bournemouth University Students in association with IMPACT held a skateboard and BMX festival in Swanage on Saturday 23rd March.
IMPACT exists to support young people and to help them advance in life. They are underpinned by a Christian ethos and assist young people to participate in society as mature, responsible individuals.
IMPACT was founded inChristchurchin 2004 to the Rev Mike Yates. Says Mike: “IMPACT is a detached youth project in conjunction with the police, council and youth services. We got out onto the streets to see what young people were doing and we found some smoking, drinking and getting involved in anti-social behaviour just through trying to grow up.
We just wanted to say to them ‘Hi guys we like what you’re doing but some of it is a bit negative. How can we help make it a bit more positive?’
IMPACT has grown from Christchurch to Swanage where we linked up with Lorna Haines who’s been working with Swanage Town Council to try to get the skate park built.”
Lorna picks up the story. “I’ve been working with the skate park for just over 10 years. The original one was wooden ramps that were condemned and this disillusioned the young people using it. However after speaking to the youngsters it became clear they really wanted a skate park and we were able to raise some initial funds in 2003. We’ve had a grant from Living Spaces and we run a market stall to continue to raise funds but we need another £16,000 to complete the park. Eventually I became involved with IMPACT who do detached youth work and this has brought the two projects together. Additionally Bournemouth University expressed an interest in coming on board and that’s how today has happened.”
Bournemouth University spokesperson Natasha Sennett outlined the University’s contribution. “Our Events Management Unit nominated IMPACT for us to put on the festival. We chose Swanage because IMPACT are working in the area and it is an excellent venue and ties everything together brilliantly.”
On a grey cold day young people from Swanage and IMPACT gave a stunning display of BMX, scooter and skateboarding acrobatic skills that left the audience breathless. Music was provided during the afternoon by up and coming band City Skies fromPortsmouthand Saturday Sun”
More information about IMPACT can be found on their web site.
Graham Horne
Swanage
