The Grind - Urban Sports and Mentoring for local young people

The Grind began in 2004 when project leader Lydia Taylor connected with a group of young people who were being excluded rather than encouraged from their love of urban sports locally. Seeing the positive impact that these activities were having on their lives, she decided to take things into her own hands by providing trips to skate parks across the county. Years later, and after campaigning successfully for local skate parks to be introduced across Mole Valley, Lydia has taken hundreds of young people to urban sports venues and events across the country. 

The Grind runs monthly urban sports trips for young people aged 11-18. Regular evening gatherings also take place, allowing young people to get together and have fun in safe, welcoming environment, with others who share their passion for urban sports. We have seen tremendous success in friendships made between young people, and have seen a number of participants taking on leadership responsibilities and mentoring younger peers within the group.

The Grind currently connects with young people across Surrey, with participants coming from 5 different boroughs within the county, and a number from within several London boroughs. Many of these young people are disaffected from local activities or fall within the governments NEET category, and are living in vulnerable and difficult situations.

The Grind also runs an annual residential trip - taking participants away for three 3 days of urban sports - and an annual urban sports competition in Leatherhead, which saw over 60 young people taking part in August 2009.