Skateboarding for Social Change
In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes speaks with Will Ascott, Co-Founder of Free Movement Skateboarding, a grassroots organisation using skateboarding as a tool to empower young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds in Athens.
Will shares his journey from a childhood love of skateboarding to founding Free Movement, which has since provided thousands of young people—including refugees, second-generation migrants, and Greek youth—with a space to build confidence, community, and resilience. This episode dives into the challenges of running a small charity, the impact of skateboarding as a social tool, and why building social cohesion is key to a more inclusive future.
In this episode, we discuss:
- 🛹 From Skater Kid to Social Entrepreneur: How Will’s early love of skateboarding shaped his vision for using it as a tool for empowerment.
- 🌍 Free Movement Skateboarding: How the organisation brings together young people from refugee, migrant, and Greek communities.
- 🚐 A Mobile Skate Park: Running skate sessions in public squares, playgrounds, and schools—anywhere that provides a safe space for young people.
- 🏛 Challenges of Working in Athens: The barriers to supporting refugee youth, navigating government restrictions, and the urgent need for public skate parks.
- 💡 The Power of Social Cohesion: Why it’s not about forcing people to “integrate” but about creating shared experiences and mutual understanding.
- 📢 Running a Small Charity: The reality of funding cycles, bureaucracy, and keeping a mission-driven project alive.
- 🔮 The Future of Free Movement: Will’s vision for a permanent skate park and youth centre in Athens.
Memorable Quotes:
- 🗣️ “Skateboarding is more than a sport—it’s a way to bring people together across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.”
- 🗣️ “Social cohesion isn’t about making people assimilate—it’s about giving them a shared identity while letting them keep their own.”
- 🗣️ “People need time for positive recreation in their lives. Work shouldn’t take over everything.”
Further Reading and Resources:
- Free Movement Skateboarding Website: Visit Here
- Short Film – A Mobile Community by CHPO Sunglasses
Support Free Movement Skateboarding:
If you’d like to help Free Movement Skateboarding continue their incredible work, donate here:
👉 Donate to Free Movement Skateboarding
Stay Connected with Rob and ‘A Little Bit Radical’:
- Rob Fawkes on LinkedIn: Rob Fawkes LinkedIn
- A Little Bit Radical Newsletter: Sign Up Here
You can listen to the podcast here:
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