Skateboarding, often seen as a simple toy, possesses a remarkable ability to bring joy and community, even in the most challenging circumstances. This is vividly illustrated by the work of Free Movement Skateboarding (FMS) in refugee camps in Athens, Greece. Founded by Ruby Mateja and Will Ascott, FMS uses skateboarding to provide a positive outlet for young refugees, who have faced immense hardship. While skateboarding cannot solve all the complex issues within these camps, it does offer a vital space for connection, learning, and personal growth amidst difficult situations.
Three years ago, Ruby and Will embarked on their mission, driven by the belief that skateboarding could make a positive impact on the lives of young refugees. They began with a grant from Help Refugees, an NGO in the UK. This funding enabled them to establish Free Movement Skateboarding. Their aim was clear: to offer a positive activity to young people who had endured more trauma than most, using skateboarding as the medium. They pondered how they could make their project genuinely helpful within the challenging context of deprivation and economic austerity. They also considered how skateboarding could be a positive outlet for migrants seeking a better life. Recognizing the lack of youth services, especially for teenagers, they were determined to present skateboarding as a unique and valuable resource.
From the outset, FMS was guided by three key principles. Firstly, they were committed to addressing gender imbalance in their skateboard lessons. Secondly, they focused on local integration, inviting local Greeks to participate in the sessions and work alongside them. Finally, their goal was to improve the mental wellbeing of the young participants, using trauma-informed care, yoga warm-ups, and a consistent staff. These core values shaped the identity of Free Movement Skateboarding, and while their implementation presented challenges, they remained central to their mission.
Day-to-Day at the Camps
Upon arriving in Athens, Ruby and Will built a portable skatepark designed to fit inside their van. This mobile park allowed them to reach different locations, with their first setup being at a basketball court near a squatted school and the Khora community center. The initial sessions drew in local Greek children alongside displaced youth from the nearby squat. Although the displaced children sometimes exhibited challenging behaviors stemming from trauma and lack of formal education, they often became the most passionate skaters. The FMS team balanced structure with spontaneity to create sessions full of unity, where kids from different backgrounds learned from and taught each other. These moments of organic connection highlight the power of skateboarding to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
The diversity of the children at FMS is a testament to the global nature of migration. Participants come from Afghanistan, Syria, Greece, Iran, Congo, and Spain. They are of all ages, religions, and genders. This diversity is celebrated and it challenges the stereotypes often associated with refugees, which are frequently perpetuated by the media and politicians for their own gain. The reality is that refugees are individuals with unique stories and personalities, and skateboarding offers a common ground where they can connect.
In September 2019, the program faced a significant setback when the squat where many of their participants lived was forcibly evicted by police. This event scattered families, many of whom were sent to the inadequate Corinth Detention Center. This facility lacked proper education and healthcare, and the residents were given poor food. The impact of this eviction was felt deeply by FMS, with many of the Greek children asking about their missing friends. The sense of loss within the community was palpable. While FMS continues its work, the absence of familiar faces and the disruption of the friendships created between local and displaced children serve as a constant reminder of the challenges faced by these communities.
FMS also expanded its reach to Schistou, another camp located a considerable distance from Athens. This camp, like many others, is isolated, creating a form of social distancing imposed by the state. The children in Schistou are bored and frustrated by the lack of activities. Despite this, they display remarkable creativity, often repurposing discarded items into toys. One example is the inventive use of a broken mini-car and a Lime scooter that was disabled from its tracking. These instances reveal the resourcefulness of these children in the face of adversity.
After a year of sessions, the Danish Refugee Council provided 20 skateboards to regular participants. The presence of these skateboards in an environment of scarcity has had a positive impact. They have enabled the creation of a unique skate culture, including the practice of removing griptape, revealing underlying graphics. Such practices show the individuality and creativity of the children within the group. One example of this is a 13-year-old Syrian boy who removed his griptape to show a My Little Pony graphic on his Enjoi deck.
The Camps Under Coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic brought FMS’s work to a halt. When the Greek ministry banned non-essential services in the camps, FMS had to suspend its programs. This led to uncertainty for the entire community, while FMS did what it could to keep in contact with everyone. Will Ascott returned home to England, starkly aware of the contrast between his comfort and the struggles of those he had been working with.
Since the pandemic, FMS has adapted. They’ve been working to maintain contact with their participants through online video content, which presents considerable challenges. The staff have taken pay cuts and some members in the region help with food distribution. Despite these efforts, there is a huge lack of resources for the communities in the camps. The living conditions are cramped, and there is not enough food. These conditions make it impossible for people to adhere to social distancing guidelines and increase the risk of infection.
The state is responsible to address the needs of the refugees in the camps. With over 40,000 people in these facilities, and two camps under lockdown, the government cannot ignore its most vulnerable populations. The issue is compounded by continued evictions that leave even more people without homes.
Call to Action
It is imperative that action be taken to avoid the most dire outcomes of the outbreak. The Greek government and the EU need to respond to the crisis by evacuating the camps and housing the refugees in vacant apartments and hotels. This will provide them with safe and sanitary conditions. The public spending and mobilization seen in recent months need to be extended to these vulnerable communities.
The pandemic is a dire situation, and inaction is unacceptable. Sign petitions, contact local politicians, and raise awareness of this situation. The people in these camps are good people, and many of them are skateboarders. They do not deserve to be trapped in these conditions.
Learn more about the situation in Greek refugee camps: Greek camps under COVID-19
Support Free Movement Skateboarding by purchasing a T-shirt: Free Movement SB T-shirt
Sign the “Leave No One Behind” petition: Leave No One Behind Petition
Words and linocuts by: Will Ascott
Photos by: Owen Godbert
