Toolstation
Doing #SomethingConstructive together to develop the next generations of DIYers and tradespeople.
Since 2021, VIY and Toolstation have been working together to boost grassroots sports clubs and transform community spaces across the UK, with a big focus being on funding the skills, training, and formal qualifications for the young volunteers. Over 500 young people have taken part in 25 projects so far, gaining hands-on trade experience, with 70% earning an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditation, and gaining pathways into education, employment, or training.
So far, over 11,000 lives have been impacted through this collaboration – and together, we’re continuing to grow our impact, one project at a time.
Toolstation’s funding has provided vital match-funding towards programmes with other VIY National Partners and Programme Partners across the country.
Here are some highlights of our work together.
Coventrians RFC, Coventry
Our first project together back in 2021! Coventrians RFC, celebrating its centenary in 2021, is a valued community club offering rugby, football, and bowls. Key areas including the patio and changing rooms were renovated, while a new pagoda and fenced social space were built to create a welcoming area for families and the local community. This was our first project in partnership with Toolstation and supported 26 young people to gain City & Guilds Entry Level 3 accreditations. The project saw support from Toolstation volunteers and even former England player James Haskell
“The VIY project has really boosted my confidence in myself more than anything. I’ve come out of it with some basic qualifications in Carpentry and Health & Safety and I think it will help me apply for jobs in the sector!”
James McRory, Young Volunteer
Wembdon Village Hall, Bridgwater
Wembdon Village Hall, built in 2017 in Bridgwater – home to Toolstation HQ – is a community facility offering sports, events, and social space for local residents. We helped transform an unfinished part of the building into a much-needed youth and community space for the village’s growing population of young people. Local young people and Toolstation volunteers helped build walls, install storage, lay flooring, plaster, and decorate, gaining hands-on trade experience, creating a vibrant new space that will be managed in part by local young people.
Middleton Select Boxing Club, Manchester
This community-focused gym provides space for local people to train, socialise, and develop confidence through boxing. To improve their facilities, we worked with 18 young people from three local schools, and some of the club’s young boxers to upgrade the changing rooms, add seating and storage, separate the shower areas, and improve the toilets – creating a more welcoming space for all users. The young people gained hands-on experience and contributed to a space they use and benefit from.
“All of us at our club cannot thank you all enough for everything, this means the absolute world to me and all our kids – some of them have helped out which is great. Thanks again, I’m extremely happy.”
Martyn Lynch, Head Coach
Long Buckby RFC, Northampton
A local community rugby club, was selected as part of the Northampton Saints Competition Winners programme to receive a complete changing room refurbishment. We worked with young people to redecorate all changing rooms, including painting the home changing room in the club’s colours, sanding and painting benches, and creating individual changing spaces for players. New storage was also built to improve functionality, helping transform the club’s facilities into a space players and staff can be proud of.
Redditch Youth Hub
A youth training provider in Worcestershire, previously had no central space to meet and support young people. Over a two week project, our sixth in partnership with Toolstation, 17 young people helped convert two disused units beneath the Kingfisher Shopping Centre into a vibrant youth space, W.I.S.E. The space was repainted, fitted with a new kitchen and storage, and the outdoor area upgraded with seating for sporting activities and community events. The project provides a safe, central hub for youth work and has welcomed five times the number of young people in its first six months than originally forecast.
One key example for me was a young man who had recently gone through substance misuse and alcohol addiction and looked unlikely to complete our course, then came in on Monday (after a weekend) and said, “I decided not to get wrecked last night, I wanted to come in today fresh and not get buzzed out.” This project potentially influenced a young man to make a decision that could have saved his life. That’s the true impact VIY can make.”
“I can’t praise the VIY mentors enough. They were able to generate a relationship with these people inside 3-4 days and help contribute towards the ambitions of the young people we work with to help them want to work, learn and grow, which usually needs weeks or months to make inroads.
Luke Maguire, Enhanced Youth Support Officer for Young Solutions – who’s dedicated half of his life to working with young people, has never seen impact like this.
Bradby Youth Club, Rugby
The Bradby Club was founded in 1919 and has been serving the community for over a century, providing a safe and supportive environment for young people. We helped transform the exterior of the club and its sports hall by repainting and redecorating key areas, creating a more attractive space for existing members and helping to welcome potential new members. Young people gained hands-on experience in painting and decorating while contributing to a refreshed and inviting community facility.
