My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
Yes
I am 18 years of age or above, by the application deadline.
Yes
My organisation is a registered UK entity and has a London-based address.
Yes
My organisation is a non-profit (e.g. school, university, or local authority) — not a for-profit, which can only join as a partner.
Yes
If there is a for-profit organisation as a partner in my initiative, they work on a cost-recovery basis only.
Yes
My solution is implemented at scale, or if not, I have a clear business plan, a minimum viable solution (prototype, pilot, or proof of concept), evidence of access to a lease for the space you are leveraging, and evidence of work or impact in London within your coalition.
Yes
I am aware that, if I am submitting more than one application to a Challenge run by Ashoka and Go! London, only one of them is able to progress through the stages.
Yes
Are you an employee (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka or any of its respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies?
No
I have read and accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions.
Yes
First Name
Lola
Last Name
Stewart
Pronouns
She/Her
Email address
I would like to receive notifications and updates about Go London!, Ashoka, Ashoka Changemakers, and other Ashoka opportunities.
1
Are you an Ashoka Fellow?
No
Are you applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow?
No
If you are applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow, please specify the name and organisation of the fellow below.
Lead Organisation Name
Vibes on Vibes community Outreach
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
2023
Initiative Title
Skate Jam
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
https://wearevibesonvibes.co.uk/
Initiative Stage
Growth (You’ve moved past the very first activities; working towards the next level of expansion.)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Children & Youth
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
Skate Jam, all-ages Silent Disco Skate Jam at Cygnet Square that brings the community together to learn new skating skills, enjoy music in a unique silent-disco experience and celebrate fun, movement and connection.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve and who will benefit the most from your solution? How close are you to the problem and/or community impacted?
Thamesmead faces long-standing barriers around affordability, access to safe activities and opportunities for young people to stay active and connected. Many families, especially those affected by financial pressures, struggle to access positive outlets for their children, which can lead to isolation, low confidence, and fewer safe spaces for socialising. Young people with additional needs or disabilities often face even greater challenges finding inclusive activities where they can participate comfortably and build skills. Our Silent Disco Skate Jam Programme responds directly to these issues by offering completely free, welcoming roller-skating events designed to bring the community together. By combining physical activity with music and an engaging silent-disco format, we create a space where children, teens and families can be active, meet others, and develop confidence in a fun, low-pressure environment. We provide free skate hire, skate giveaways for families experiencing hardship, and tailored support so children of all abilities including those with additional needs can take part safely. Vibes on Vibes are rooted in the neighbourhood, we understand the local challenges and have shaped the programme with input from residents and young people themselves. Since launching in 2023, we’ve welcomed 1,785 participants at six Skate Jams and a further 159 young people at taster sessions. On average, over 500 pairs of skates are borrowed at each event. Families have told us the programme helps reduce financial strain while giving their children meaningful activities that support health, social skills, and emotional well-being. During weekends when events run, youth-related crime in the area has dropped by 25%, and 90% of attendees have rated the experience as excellent
Your approach: How are you/ will you addressing the problem outlined above? How does your solution unlock or reimagine access to spaces for sport and physical activity? What role do landowners, local authorities, or other decision-making stakeholders play in your approach? We'd love to know about the origin of your idea, and what was your "aha" moment" that led you to take action?
Our approach is built on a simple but powerful principle: if young people and families are provided with safe, free, joyful, and culturally relevant opportunities to be active, they will take part, they will thrive, and they will build stronger relationships with their community and with each other. In Thamesmead, a neighbourhood where many residents face financial pressures, limited local youth provision, and a lack of inclusive activities, this principle becomes even more vital. Our initiative works by rethinking what physical activity looks like, who it is for, where it can take place, and what it can achieve beyond fitness alone. By transforming underused public spaces into imaginative, vibrant hubs of movement and music, we create new possibilities for connection, confidence, and community wellbeing. To address the problems faced by local residents, we use roller skating a nostalgic, dynamic, and naturally fun activity as the foundation of our programme. However, we don’t treat skating as a sport that requires competition or pre-existing skill; instead, we present it as a creative, playful form of physical expression that anyone can attempt, regardless of age, ability, or experience. Skating becomes the entry point, but the environment we build around it is what truly removes barriers. By pairing skating with a silent disco, we offer a unique combination that immediately breaks down social pressures: participants choose their own music through wireless headsets, allowing them to move at their own pace without feeling watched or judged. The mixture of movement and music creates a sense of freedom that young people respond to incredibly positively. Even those who arrive hesitant, anxious, or unsure often find themselves gradually joining in.
Collaboration with young people and the community: In what ways does your initiative engage young people and community members closest to the problem? What role do they play in building the solution you deliver?
Young people and local families are central to the development and delivery of our initiative. From the outset, we designed the Silent Disco Skate Jam in direct response to what young people told us they wanted: fun, low-pressure activities that felt different from traditional sport and removed financial barriers. We continue to engage them through regular conversations, feedback sessions, and on-site discussions, shaping each event around their interests, needs, and ideas. Young people are actively involved during sessions, helping to test music playlists, suggest themes, guide the layout of the skating space, and advise on how to make activities more welcoming for peers with additional needs or disabilities. Several participants have grown into informal leaders, taking on mentoring roles, supporting beginners, and contributing to the safe, inclusive atmosphere we aim to create. Families and community members also play a key role. Parents help identify accessibility needs, share insights about challenges faced by local children, and support outreach by spreading the word across schools and neighbourhood groups. Their feedback has influenced practical decisions such as equipment provision, session times, and the introduction of sensory-friendly options. By embedding young people and local residents in planning and delivery, our programme is not something “for” the community but genuinely created “with” them. Their ongoing involvement ensures the initiative remains relevant, responsive, and grounded in the real experiences of those who benefit most.
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: How do you imagine your initiative will make a difference in unlocking spaces for and access to physical activity and sport so far? If you have already implemented it, what difference have you made so far? What is the impact your initiative has had , and or what impact do you envision having in the future?
Our initiative is unlocking access to physical activity by transforming everyday public spaces into safe, vibrant areas where young people feel genuinely welcome. By offering free skate hire, inclusive coaching, and a silent disco format that reduces pressure and boosts confidence, we remove financial, social, and emotional barriers that often prevent children and young people from taking part in sport. The pop-up nature of the Skate Jams shows residents that physical activity can happen anywhere, not just in traditional sports facilities, helping to reimagine how community spaces can be used. Since launching, the impact has been significant. We have engaged 1,785 participants across six large-scale Skate Jams and a further 159 through taster sessions, with over 500 skate rentals at each event. Young people who were previously inactive or anxious about participating in group activities have developed new skills, increased their confidence, and built friendships. Parents report improvements in social engagement and emotional wellbeing, particularly for children with additional needs who benefit from the controlled sensory environment of the silent disco. The programme has also contributed to a positive shift in community safety, with a 25% reduction in youth-related incidents during event weekends. Public spaces that once felt underused now host joyful, intergenerational gatherings that bring residents together. Looking ahead, we envision expanding to more locations, developing youth leadership pathways, and creating a regular programme of accessible physical activity. Our aim is for every young person in Thamesmead to feel they have a space where they belong, can move freely, and can experience the joy and wellbeing benefits of being active.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
Our initiative is innovative because it redefines what physical activity can look and feel like for young people. Instead of offering traditional sport or structured coaching, the Silent Disco Skate Jam blends movement, music, and public space in a way that is playful, inclusive, and fully shaped by the community. The combination of roller skating with silent disco headsets creates a unique environment where participants can choose their own music, control sensory input, and move at their own pace—making the experience especially supportive for young people with additional needs or low confidence. Unlike programmes that rely on formal facilities, we transform everyday outdoor spaces into lively pop-up activity zones. This approach makes physical activity visible and accessible to families who may not have the means to access paid sessions or equipment. Our free skate hire, sensory-friendly options, and open, non-competitive atmosphere remove common barriers that prevent young people from engaging in sport. A key part of our innovation lies in co-design. Young people help shape playlists, themes, accessibility features, and the overall feel of each event, ensuring it remains relevant and exciting. This sense of ownership encourages sustained participation and builds leadership skills within the community. By activating public spaces with positive energy, our approach also strengthens community cohesion and contributes to safer environments. The result is a model that goes beyond physical activity: it creates joyful, youth led, community centred spaces that reimagine how movement, creativity, and wellbeing can come together.
Viability and Scalability: How are you setting your initiative up for success, and what is your plan to ensure operational sustainability of your solution and its impact? What are your ideas for scaling your initiative to the next level?
Our initiative is designed for long-term success through strong community partnerships, operational planning, and youth-led involvement. We work closely with Peabody, the local authority, and local schools to secure safe, accessible spaces, coordinate permissions, and reach residents who benefit most. Trained facilitators and volunteers ensure events run smoothly, while free skate hire, sensory-friendly options, and inclusive coaching make participation genuinely accessible. Regular evaluation, including participant feedback and monitoring of wellbeing and social outcomes, allows us to adapt and improve continuously. Sustainability is embedded by developing local leadership. Young people take on mentoring and co-facilitation roles, supporting new participants and helping deliver sessions, ensuring the programme can continue and grow within the community. Building volunteer capacity and strong stakeholder relationships strengthens the infrastructure for inclusive physical activity in Thamesmead over the long term. For scaling, we aim to expand to additional public spaces locally and replicate the model in neighbouring areas facing similar barriers. Partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and cultural programmes will help integrate sessions into wider youth engagement strategies. Digital tools, including booking platforms and social media, will boost participation, improve communication with families, and track impact. By combining community-led delivery, flexible pop-up events, and a replicable model, the initiative can grow while retaining its inclusive, joyful, and locally rooted character, offering lasting opportunities for young people to be active, confident, and connected.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
Our programme operates through a clearly defined structure that ensures smooth delivery, safety, and an inclusive experience for participants. Three directors provide overall leadership, managing strategy, partnerships, and programme oversight. They coordinate with all stakeholders, monitor impact, and ensure the initiative meets its objectives. A team of 30 skate instructors delivers the core skating sessions. They provide coaching for all abilities, support young people with additional needs, supervise safety on the skating floor, and mentor emerging youth leaders. Instructors also assist with equipment fitting, session set-up, and engaging participants in a fun, positive way. Peabody, as the landowner, plays a key role in providing permission to use public spaces, coordinating with their security team, and ensuring environmental and site safety. Their involvement allows the programme to operate responsibly and sustainably in open areas. Additional operational support comes from our DJ company, which manages the silent disco headsets, curates music playlists, and ensures a smooth technical setup, creating the immersive audio experience that is central to our approach. The skate hire provider supplies, maintains, and fits equipment for all participants, removing financial barriers and ensuring accessibility. Together, this combination of directors, instructors, partners, and service providers creates a collaborative ecosystem where responsibilities are shared according to expertise. This structure allows the programme to deliver high-quality, safe, and inclusive Skate Jam events while empowering young people, engaging the community, and maintaining operational efficiency.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/to grow.
Our upcoming milestones focus on growth, engagement, and ensuring smooth delivery of the Silent Disco Skate Jam programme from now until August. March – April: Finalise summer event schedule and secure permissions with Peabody and local authorities for all sites. Recruit and train additional skate instructors and volunteers, including mentorship roles for young people, ensuring staff are confident with inclusive and sensory-friendly approaches. Confirm logistics with our DJ company and skate hire provider, testing equipment and operational workflows. May: Launch promotional campaign targeting local schools, youth groups, and community networks to raise awareness and encourage participation. Run small taster sessions to introduce new participants to skating and silent disco, gathering feedback to refine programming. Continue volunteer induction and rehearsal of session formats. June – August: Deliver full-scale Skate Jam events, monitoring participation, safety, and engagement. Track impact through surveys, attendance figures, and qualitative feedback from participants and families. Introduce new activities or themes based on feedback, ensuring sessions remain engaging, accessible, and youth-led. Begin documenting case studies and capturing visual media to support evaluation and future funding. August: Review programme outcomes, including participation numbers, wellbeing improvements, and community engagement metrics. Host a final end-of-summer event celebrating young people’s progress and leadership development. Use insights to plan the next phase, including potential expansion to new locations, volunteer recruitment, and strengthening partnerships with schools, community groups, and stakeholders. These milestones ensure a structured, responsive, and impactful programme, building sustainability, participation, and community ownership while laying the groundwork for long-term growth.
Capacity-Building Participation and Support Funding: If you were to make it as a finalist, you will be required to participate in an 8-week capacity building programme. If funding/ cost is a barrier to your participation, we may be able to offer up to 10,000 GBP of grant money available to support you. Please break down below, if it is the case, what costs you would incur and you would need covered. (Please note that there are restrictions on how the grant money may be used; please refer to the T&Cs for further details.
Participation in the 8-week capacity-building programme would be essential for strengthening the delivery, sustainability, and impact of our Silent Disco Skate Jam initiative. If funding were needed, we would require support to cover costs that ensure full participation while maintaining safe, high-quality Skate Jam events for the community. Key skate-related costs include: Staff time: Directors and lead skate instructors attending workshops while ensuring on-site sessions continue smoothly. Travel and subsistence: Transport and meals for staff attending full-day sessions without disrupting Skate Jam delivery. Volunteer and instructor cover: Temporary support at Skate Jam events to maintain safety and participant engagement during staff training. Materials and resources: Skate hire to provide free equipment for participants, DJ equipment for the silent disco, ambulance services for emergency readiness, and engagement with the Metropolitan Police to ensure safety and public order during events. Access to up to £10,000 would allow the team to fully participate in the programme, bringing new skills back to the Skate Jam initiative. This will enhance coaching, youth leadership, community engagement, safety planning, and inclusivity, strengthening the programme’s long-term sustainability and positive impact. Funding would be used solely for capacity building participation, staff cover, and essential operational resources, ensuring the programme continues to provide safe, accessible, and memorable skating experiences for young people and families in Thamesmead.
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