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
Sam
Last Name
Earl
Pronouns
He/Him
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
The Grove DIY
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
2020
Initiative Title
Community built skatepark
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
@thegrovediy, https://thegrovediy.com/
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?
Environment & Sustainability
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
The Grove DIY is a community built skatepark and self-cultivated gardens in South East London.
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?
We are a community funded organisation, we pay for everything out of our own pockets. Since 2020, we have repurposed and maintained a disused pub carpark and garden as a free, open space for all, whilst providing extended support for our local community through free workshops, tutoring, charity fundraising, skate jams, art exhibitions, screenings, live music and shows. Promoting both physical and mental health, we hope to provide a safe space for all abilities, ages and backgrounds, focusing on helping locals engage with their community in a positive way. Our biggest problem is financial upkeep of the space, so any monetary help would be greatly appreciated. Also, some of the money would be used to go towards building more ramps.
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?
Originally, we were building of disused land, that was a local eyesore to the area. After being on the space for 6 years, the old lease with the original owners ended and we started discussions with the new owners “Dulwich Estate”. Over the past 6 months, we have worked with Dulwich Estate to create a plan for the next few years and how to keep the space. Through these conversations we have almost secured insurance for the space and should be ready in the next month. Our future plans include building more ramps, working with local people, organise events that utilise the space, skateboard lessons and gardening. The space is a car park of a beautiful derelict grade listed pub off Lordship Lane, the space is perfect for skateboarding and has now become a locally celebrated phenomenon. I would encourage you to watch the multiple videos on YouTube about the project.
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?
The space encourages skateboarding, creativity and mindfulness. Most of the demographic who use the space are under 30, we encourage all ages but the nature of skateboarding is usually a younger crowd. The space has now become an attraction, bringing skateboarders from all over the world including professionals such as Jack Ogrady, Diego Todd, Danny Brady and Daryl Dominguez. Being able to see such talent is inspiring to younger people and offers them an insight into a career in skateboarding. We also have two people involved with the project who now work as professional skatepark builders with Betong Skateparks.
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?
We have built a community of people who visit the skatepark and gardens regularly for the last 6 years. We hold skateboard events that has raised thousands of pounds for charities. We have had a summer school last year, all based around the activity of skateboarding, encouraging new people to be active and engage with sport. We also held a skateboard play, inspired by Shakespeare but the actors were on skateboards.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
It was a grassroots project, being a DIY skatepark encourages you to take responsibility and go out and do it yourself. It inspires independence from young people and to make the most out of something that was once just an unused piece of land.
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?
We have been building the organisation for 6 years now, we have a solid work ethic and strong bond as a team. Every year the project grows with donations from friends and local people helping us out. As a CIC, we have now organised a better financial outlook and working with Dulwich Estate has given us a basic framework for the next 2 years, but having more money to put events, schools or workshops gives us the ability to be more effective.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
We have 4 people who organise the paperwork with the CIC, two from the garden and two from the skatepark. Most of us have DBS checks and experience working with young people. We also have a group of about 20 people who work on a voluntary basis. We plan through events throughout the year and regularly maintain the space.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/to grow.
Making sure all the ramps are up to inspection for the insurance, is are next milestone. This summer we want to organise a summer school again, all activities based around skateboarding and gardening working with young people.
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.
1/2 people may need to be compensated if time off work was required, but we have worked on this project out of our own pockets so far, so we would be happy to love the chance to work with you on a building programme.
