Who are we?

Community East was formed in 2020 to provide opportunities for people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities to improve their physical health & mental wellbeing through skateboarding, art and all other related avenues.

The founding directors are Ashley Lever, former owner of Smash Skates skateshop in Beccles and currently Head Coach at ABC Skateboarding in Norfolk/Suffolk, and Sam Avery, owner of Drug Store skateshop in Norwich. After helping out in each other’s shops and with skateboard coaching we decided to work together to create a community-facing organisation to support the local skateboard scene.

We also now have a third director, Rob Willer. He has been an active part of the East Anglian skateboard and alternative music scenes for over two decades and has a proven track record in fundraising for local & national charitable projects, including mental health and suicide awareness charities.  

What are we trying to achieve?

Our first goal is to create a safe, inclusive indoor skatepark from which we can deliver skateboard lessons and create a community hub. During a search very much hindered by the pandemic, we were made aware of St Peter Parmentergate Church and could instantly see the terrific potential. A lengthy planning process followed - but now that we have all relevant permissions, we have signed a 10-year lease with the Norwich Historic Churches Trust.

In recent months, Sam has set up Drug Store Skateshop in the space while we work hard on fundraising for the skatepark itself. This has opened the space up to the public, so they too can learn about our vision and engage with the amazing heritage features displayed within. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

In order to construct the initial phases of the skatepark, while protecting the main heritage features within the church, we need around £15,000. We are actively applying to funding providers, but all support we can receive from our community will mean so very much. 

We first need to install a floating floor across the nave and erect protective wooden panelling to protect the stone outer walls. We will have fixed quarter-pipes at one end, flat banks at the other and ledges running down each side. In the second phase, modular ramps will  be built to fill the space, creating a flexible and constantly changeable skatepark.

 Below are some 3D renders showing the first phase concept.

Below is an example of the type of acrylic screens we need to cover important heritage features. However, ours will need to be larger, stronger and fixed into the floor, hence the relatively high costs :

How we’ll spend the money raised

Build costs - £11,000

Acrylic screens - £4,000

Any monies left over from this first phase construction will be put towards equipment and free skateboarding lessons for those in need. 

We can then open our doors and start raising funds for future phases, including the addition of modular ramps to the central space, creating a cafe and skateboard library/exhibition space and supporting members of our skateboard scene with related projects in their local areas - exciting times ahead!!

Making a Difference in our Community

Skateboarding brings people together. It transcends generations, supports those from all genders and ethnic backgrounds and celebrates everyone’s involvement, no matter what your skill level. Our park will become a hub for this scene. 

Skateboarding's popularity has grown markedly nationwide, especially amongst female participants, and our area is no exception. Whilst outdoor public skateparks do meet some of this demand, they are restricted by weather conditions and, as a public space, cannot secure the safety of users as easily. We will offer a controlled indoor facility all year-round and in all weathers; additionally, all our staff and volunteers will be appropriately trained in safeguarding and first-aid.

By having our own space, we can offer coaching sessions tailored to the needs of specific groups and individuals. For example, we will run shorter, more play-based sessions for under 5's; more relaxed, unstructured sessions for adults just wanting to test out a new activity or get back into a sport they enjoyed in their youth; and create smaller groups in a calm, secure setting for those with additional needs. 

Although we will charge for lessons, we also intend to provide some lessons free at the point of delivery to those who need it most. Latest data for our area shows 23% of children are living in low-income families and Norwich is amongst the lowest quintile score for deprivation across the East and the UK as a whole.

NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) statistics sit at 6.2% for men aged 16-17, and 4.8% for women. Employment is higher than in the wider eastern region, but despite the presence of a leading University, fewer people work in the 3 most highly-skilled occupations than the UK average - suggesting under-employment and "low-pay-low skill" employment. As a community hub, we will provide opportunities for employment and experience - not only in skateboarding, but through many related avenues, including the arts, heritage and retail.

The building itself is a key historical venue in the city. We are fully committed to keeping all heritage features on display, protected where necessary behind bespoke acrylic screens, and will work closely with our wonderful landlords, The Norwich Historic Churches Trust (NHCT), to conserve them on into the future. The church has not been regularly open to the public for almost a decade, so this will give previous visitors a chance to see this church in a new light, as well as bringing a whole new audience in to understand more about the heritage of their local area.

How our project will be United By Birmingham 2022

We want to create a lasting local legacy inspired by the core principles of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Bringing people together
An indoor, inclusive space in the heart of the region's main city, with easy access not only by car but by public transport links and active travel. We hope that being open year-round, and in all weathers, will help to galvanise skateboarding in our area. We are already blessed with a very strong scene of core skateboarders, who give up their time to organise events across Norfolk and Suffolk. Our space will not only support their efforts, but give so many more opportunities to bring existing skateboarders together and introduce many more to such an exciting and creative sport.

Improving health and wellbeing
Skateboarding is a wonderful way to stay active. As an individual sport, the main challenge is between you and the board under your feet. With this in mind, you are in control of the intensity of your activity, making it accessible to all. You also "get out what you put in", developing key characteristics like perseverance and resilience. Research by Instinct Laboratory & Flo Skatepark showed that 'individuals who partake in skating stated they do so to reduce boredom, provide them with escapism, help them to build their confidence and use skateboarding as a coping mechanism for their emotions.' (skateboardgb.org, 2020) . This corresponds to a huge growth in the popularity of skateboarding since the start of the pandemic, with a rise of over 70,000 people in the UK participating in the sport, with the largest growth being with females getting on a board for the first time. This is also a positive story against the backdrop of increases in anxiety, stress and boredom attributed to the Covid lockdowns.
Regretfully, the suicide rate in Norwich is significantly higher than the England average (at 15.4 per 100,000 compared to 10.8 per 100,000 (2018-20)). The proven mental health benefits of skateboarding and related creative activities can only help to support those in crisis, and our staff will undergo relevant mental health and safeguarding training.

Helping the region grow
Due to its more rural, isolated position off the main spine of the UK, our region has sadly often been overlooked when it comes to large sporting events, general media coverage of projects and support from larger corporate organisations. Norwich and its surroundings have an extremely rich skateboarding heritage, dating back well into the 1970s, producing not only numerous professional skateboarders but also many individuals who have gone on to make important impacts on creative industries related to our sport.
We want to both celebrate this history and also to continue putting our region on the map. Our vision is not limited to this one space in the main city. Once established in our central base, we will work closely with community groups across the area to support the construction of public outdoor skateparks in their local towns and villages (already working with Beccles, Bungay and Southwold to name a few), look to create further indoor spaces in more under-served areas of our region (such as Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth), and liaise with schools and councils to widen the reach and appeal of skateboarding throughout East Anglia and beyond.

Being a catalyst for change
We had been working hard to promote skateboarding in our region for well over two decades before we came together as Community East. We want to continue this through this organisation, but are not getting any younger! We will bring the next generation on-board, through volunteering, work experience and employment opportunities, inspiring them to take up the baton and empowering them to make a difference locally: not just through skateboarding, but through any other community projects in which they have an interest or passion. For example, meeting and working with local councils may motivate them to become the councillors of the future, enacting change across the whole of their community and giving a voice to a whole new section of their society.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Create a fundraiser of your own. Use the button on our page to get started. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!