About the project

Coneygre Youth Arts Centre, run by Sandwell Youth Services is a vital creative hub for young people across Sandwell, offering sessions in music, recording, performance and production. Trained youth workers use these activities to build trusted relationships and support young people with personal challenges.

The Project

This project brought together seven leading construction partners under the CWM framework – GF Tomlinson, Galliford Try, Interclass, Morgan Sindall, Seddon, Speller Metcalfe, and Willmott Dixon – working alongside VIY and local authorities, to deliver a first-of-its-kind collaboration project. This partnership gives young people – over half of whom are care-experienced – the chance to gain hands-on trade skills, confidence, and real-life experience while making a meaningful difference in their local community.

With demand for the studio soaring, Coneygre’s single recording space was oversubscribed. VIY worked to expand and re-purpose the space by:

• • Building a new drum riser
  • Removing a storage wall to create a singing/podcast booth
  • Adding a stud wall to turn one studio into two
  • Installing fire-retardant, soundproofing tiles
  • Creating a new desk/shelved area for podcasting

The upgraded space now offers:

• Two fully equipped recording studios instead of one
• A new booth for singing, voice work, and podcasting
• Improved functionality with the drum riser and desk area
• More opportunities for young people to develop music skills, collaborate, and access support

The new space is now a safe, modern environment where more young people from across Sandwell can develop music skills, connect with peers, and access support.

The Young People

• 8 young people –  Care experienced and other local NEET/at risk young people referred from Birmingham and Sandwell Children’s Trust, Sandwell Youth Service
• 7 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations achieved 
  • Site Carpentry and Painting & Decorating
• 100% of learners felt more confident about getting a job in the future as a result of the skills gained during the VIY project
• 88% of learners felt their overall feeling of physical health, happiness and wellbeing had improved due to volunteering with VIY 
• 100% of learners would consider a job or career in the building or construction industry due to VIY

VIY’s support will now continue with the young people, in order to support them into a positive progression outcome.

• 5 community volunteers also supported the project by prepping the rooms and clearing out to ensure the spaces were ready for work
  

Project supported by: Dulux, David Paradine, Eclipse Painting, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council