VIY

Volunteer It Yourself

Projects:

5Live

219Complete

35Planned

Volunteers:

835Skills mentors

3975Young people

VIy Graduates:

2630Gaining vocational qualifications

875Progressing to further training / work placements

VIY is all about volunteering it yourself

VIY combines volunteering and DIY by challenging young people aged 14-24 to learn trade and building skills, on the job, by helping to renovate and repair youth centres and other community buildings.

Participants are mentored by professional tradespeople, who also volunteer their time, and can gain vocational skills accreditations as well as access to further training, work placement and apprenticeship progression opportunities beyond VIY.

VIY was launched in 2011 and, to date, almost 200 youth centres and other community buildings across England and Wales have been refurbished, involving more than 3,500 young people and 700 trade skills mentors.

VIY was established as a not-for-profit CIC in 2015 and our key partners and supporters include Wickes, City & Guilds, Nesta, The Careers & Enterprise Company and Sport England.

Activity is ongoing throughout the UK and we are always open to new potential projects as well as enquiries from people, groups and organisations wanting to get involved - contact us at info@teamviy.com

Case Studies

What people have to say about VIY

"VIY is a grew example of a Big Society approach where young people learn building and trade skills while at the same time providing vital repair work and improvements to their local community centres. It is also a great example of different organisations working together to come up with a solution that has a lasting effect for everyone involved. It is great to hear that volunteers from VIY have secured further training opportunities, apprenticeships and jobs as a result of taking part. I am also really pleased to see that it is being extended to other regions in the country."

David Cameron - former Prime Minister

"VIY is a fantastic example of partnerships creating real solutions, and I have seen first-hand the positive impact the project has had in our community. The volunteers have transformed this club - and themselves - doing much needed physical repairs whilst learning practical DIY trade and building skills on the job. It was a pleasure to meet the first VIY graduates and hear about the apprenticeships and work placements a number of them have secured as a result of their hard work and enthusiasm."

Chuka Umunna - MP for Streatham

Awards

Big Society Awards
Hollis UK Sponsorship Awards
Corporate Engagement Awards

Partners

cosponsorshipagency.com www.wickes.co.uk www.cityandguilds.com Nesta Cabinet Office