About the project

The Treasury is a a much‑loved hub for everything from Scouts to dance groups, Messy Church, and a local youth club. The building had seen better days, with large areas out of action, clutter piling up, and energy bills on the rise.

The project:

The venue was refurbished over two phases, each building on the other to transform The Treasury into a vibrant, welcoming space for the local community. The project delivered real impact, improving energy efficiency, helping them to reopen their community café, fitting new toilets, and giving the space a full refresh, boosting its usage in the local community and by even more local people/groups.

Phase 1 – July 2025 (funded by Morgan Sindall) 
Phase 1 gave the building a huge refresh. VIY worked with 18 community volunteers and 25 local young people to improve energy efficiency, repaint and refurbish the main hall, install new toilets, and help reopen the community café. Outside, volunteers tidied the garden and transformed the space, creating a brighter, more inviting environment for local groups.

Phase 2 – January 2026 (funded by Mansfield District Council via UKSPF)
Phase 2 built on this success, expanding the venue’s community impact. The café garden gained a timber shelter, fresh planters, painted walls, and a new café sign. Three side rooms were renovated to host activities or a potential food bank, and donated benches were restored, making the outdoor space welcoming and usable. This phase ensures The Treasury continues to thrive as a hub at the heart of Mansfield.

“Environment engaging, all staff helpful, friendly and on hand to help. Both myself and students have learnt new skills. The benefit to the venue is that we can see positive changes made from before to after. Would definitely recommend and do it again. Thank you. “

–Queen Elizabeth’s Academy

The young people:

A total of 52 young people aged 14–18 took part, referred by: Futures Mansfield, King’s Trust Mansfield, Mansfield Jobcentre Plus, Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, Switch Up Mansfield, and Vision West Notts College.

Accreditations:

• 50 achieved an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditation (6 in Conduct at Work, 40 in Painting & Decorating, 4 in Carpentry)
• 18 achieved a NOCN Level 1 ‘Environmental Awareness and Sustainability in Construction’ accreditation

Progressions included:

• Toby, 18, has successfully secured a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship with the Bell Group.

He was referred to VIY by Vision West Notts College and joined his first project with VIY in March 2025.  His second project was at The Treasury, Mansfield, where he took part because of his interest in the Environmental Awareness and Sustainability in Construction qualification which he achieved. Building on these experiences, Toby impressed during his trial week with the Bell Group (an experience facilitated via a VIY partnership) and was offered a full apprenticeship, which he is currently completing and really enjoying. More on Toby here. 

• 90% of young volunteers who took part in the project are planning to start or return to college.
• The remaining students are exploring employment opportunities or apprenticeships with support from our Progressions team.

• 100% of learners felt more confident about getting a job in the future as a result of the skills gained during the VIY project
• 98% of learners felt more aware of employers’ expectations due to VIY
• 82% of learners would consider a job or career in the building or construction industry due to VIY
• 88% of learners felt their overall feeling of happiness or wellbeing had improved due to volunteering with VIY
• 80% of learners felt their overall feeling of physical health had improved due to volunteering with VIY