Skate it Yourself: Jensen's Story

Name – Jensen

Age – 11 at the start – now nearly 13.

Jensen has faced more challenges than most children his age. Diagnosed with autism, he was non-verbal for the first five years of his life. It wasn’t until his younger brother came along that Jensen began to speak, a huge milestone, but one that still left him playing catch-up socially and academically.

For years, Jensen struggled to find his place. More than a year ago, while attending high school with support from a SEN team, things reached a particularly difficult point. He had no friends, his moods were unpredictable, and he withdrew more and more, spending most of his time alone in his bedroom, glued to the TV or computer. Leaving the house became a challenge in itself.

When a new local park opened, Jensen came along reluctantly. He didn’t want to join in or speak to anyone. Instead, he stood on the sidelines, quietly watching other children skate. Despite encouragement, he wasn’t ready to take part.

At the same time, things were becoming increasingly tough socially. Jensen had experienced bullying, which made him anxious and withdrawn. Eventually, matters escalated to the point where his family discovered a suicide note. Understandably, this was a turning point. Jensen was taken out of school so he could step away from the pressures and focus on his wellbeing.

While this gave him a sense of safety, it also meant he retreated further into isolation, back to the comfort of his room and screens, and away from opportunities to build social skills.

A Turning Point on Wheels

A few weeks later, everything began to change.

Jensen’s younger brother brought home a leaflet for a weekly pop-up skate park in the area. Deciding to give it a try, the family went along, and it proved to be the best decision they could have made.

This time, something was different. Jensen didn’t just watch; he wanted to try. With a gentle introduction and support from the Skate It Yourself team, Jensen stepped onto a skateboard.

I started the conversation and from there, Hardy engaged Jensen and got him on a skateboard. Jensen decided right after that day that he had found something that made him happy again!

Building Confidence

The changes were remarkable.

Gone were the meltdowns and daily battles to leave the house. Instead, Jensen began looking forward to getting out and being active. What had once felt impossible, attending activities, meeting others, and trying new things, became part of his routine.

Today, Jensen is a regular at youth clubs and skate sessions, often attending several times a week. His social skills have grown enormously, with others now noticing his kindness, good manners and confidence.

Skateboarding has given Jensen a sense of belonging. His family now takes a skateboard everywhere they go, seeking out skate parks on days out. Where once he would have refused to even touch a skateboard, Jensen is now ready and waiting by the door to head out.

In fact, he’s even been confidently advocating for more local facilities, telling his local MP that they should build a skate park closer to home!

A Supportive Community

The Skate It Yourself team has created a welcoming, supportive environment where Jensen feels safe, understood and encouraged. Over time, he has grown comfortable enough to stay independently at sessions, something that once would have felt impossible.

Over the past year, he has attended sessions almost every week, sometimes even three times a week, building both his skills and his confidence. And in all that time, his family have never received a single complaint about his behaviour, something they describe as incredibly rare and meaningful.

Changing Lives

The impact of skateboarding has reached beyond Jensen; it has transformed family life as a whole.

What was once a time filled with worry, isolation and uncertainty has been replaced with positivity, activity and connection. Skate It Yourself has not only helped Jensen rediscover joy, but has brought the whole family into a welcoming community.

They now regularly recommend sessions to others, often bringing along friends who leave equally enthusiastic after experiencing the fun and support on offer.

“Thank You”

Jensen’s journey is a powerful reminder of what accessible, inclusive activities can achieve. With the right environment and encouragement, young people can thrive, build confidence and rediscover their spark.

As Jensen’s family puts it:

“We believe Skate It Yourself gave our son his smile back and saved him from a very dark place. We could not be more grateful. It’s changed our family’s life for the better.”