VIY Impact Report 2024-25
A snapshot of our impact on young people, places and communities in need.
VIY Impact Report 2024-25: National reach, Regional approach, Hyperlocal impact
This year’s Impact Report brings together the impact we’re having on NEET and economically inactive young people and community spaces in need, as well as the wider ripple effect our impact has on young people, communities and society itself.
Since 2011, we’ve now completed over 1,000 projects, helped over 17,000 young people learn trade skills, boost their confidence and employability, and awarded more than 9,500 City & Guilds accreditations.
Through our place-based approach, we’ve supported NEET and economically inactive young people, transformed more valuable community spaces across more regions in the UK and Ireland, and achieved hyperlocal impact that communities couldn’t do without VIY.
See how we’ve been doing #SomethingConstructive together this year below.
Like George who found his confidence
George, 17, a homeschooled learner with autism, joined our project at Springwood Family Centre in King’s Lynn, ready to explore his next steps.
With support from the VIY team, he took part in career and job search sessions and gained his CSCS card – giving him both a recognised qualification and a real boost in confidence.
That experience helped open the door to his next opportunity, and he’s now started a Site Carpentry apprenticeship in Norfolk, growing in skills and self-belief every day.
Helping valued community spaces survive and thrive while becoming more inclusive & sustainable
With continued support from long-term and new cross-sector partners, we’ve renovated local facilities in some of the UK’s most under-served communities, from youth and community centres, to supported accommodation, to arts and cultural spaces and grassroots sports clubs.
This year, that’s included boosting energy-efficiency in community buildings through retrofit works and delivering green skills for the future. Thanks to programmes like Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 Community Fund, we’ve delivered energy-efficiency upgrades to three valued community spaces in Great Yarmouth. Like here at the Cadet Hut in Gorleston, where we insulated and re-boarded the building’s exterior and installed energy-efficient lighting, projected to cut energy use by approximately 35%, saving the centre £400 a year.
Giving young people like Jack the tools and qualifications to build a better future
Jack, 20 and previously unemployed, volunteered with us on our project with the Shawfield Trust in Bromsgrove. During the project, Jack gained an Entry level 3 City & Guilds accreditation in Carpentry, helping transform an unloved piece of land into a welcoming community space with wooden storage, bike sheds, sheltered areas and planters.
Building on this hands-on experience and his new qualification, Jack applied for a job with a local timber manufacturer, M&M Timber. He received a response the same day and was offered a job – directly as a result of the skills, qualifications, and confidence he gained on the project.
Delivering a ripple effect of wider, added value social impact and benefit
From enhancing inclusion and diversity, addressing deprivation, tackling social isolation, engaging young people in nature, regenerating high streets, to boosting pride in place and so much more!
Like our work through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), where we’re helping to refurbish community spaces that matter most to local people. For example, at the Teams Life Centre in Gateshead, co-funded by Sport England, we redecorated the sports hall of this 50-year-old building with the help of a local artist and venue users, bringing new life and sustainability to the space while creating a brighter, more welcoming environment for the community to enjoy.
Just like Riley
Riley was referred to our VIY project at The Paddocks in Canvey Island by The Yellow Door Project as a NEET young person. Despite having a strong interest in Painting & Decorating, they’d never had the chance to gain hands-on experience, until now.
With the support and mentorship of skilled tradespeople on-site, they began to build the foundational skills and confidence they needed. A few weeks later, after reading our VIY Next Steps Guide, they got in touch asking for more support.
Motivated by their experience, Riley started looking for opportunities in their local area, and secured a job with a local tradesperson.
