#SomethingConstructive

Youth | Community | Volunteering. The three parts of our mission all doing #SomethingConstructive for society. Here’s what that means to different people in our world; from partners to mentors, our young people boosting their skills, to the communities they volunteer to support.

VIY has already demonstrated a massive impact to our community for the better and increasing our footfall. It has modernised our 16 year old skatepark, renewing interest with our returning skaters and also creating new users to the sports. We are already seeing significantly more use and income for our park, through a raised profile in our local community through local paper coverage and word of mouth. New programmes and memberships are being currently designed as a direct result. Many, many thanks to the VIY teams, who have given us a brighter future.

"It's made me know it’s definitely what I want to do for work."
Young volunteer, Vale View Estate, Nottinghamshire
Travis Perkins supports over 100 projects with VIY

The refurbishment of Charlton Park Rugby Club was the 100th project of the partnership, in which Travis Perkins has supported us with way more than materials; including colleague volunteer time, work-readiness training and progression pathways for VIY young learners, since March 2020. 17 local young people volunteered across this month-long project, referred by organisations including…

"Some said they hadn't come to events as it was unkempt and dirty. Now [since VIY's refurbishments], people are booking rooms and attending events."
Phoenix Centre, Norwich, 2022

Introducing Elise, who shone on our project @longbuckby in partnership with @northamptonsaints @saintsfdation @toolstation_uk @travisperkinsco. Hear from this inspirational young volunteer who, having been excluded from school, is just looking for an alternative pathway to success.

VIY’s inspiring volunteers: Bill Langwith

In conversation with Bill ‘Total Legend’ Langwith. First volunteering with VIY back in 2015 at the Eric Allen Community House in partnership with Haringey Council in North London, Bill helped to renovate this disused community centre and mentored local residents, loving the experience of helping young people to take their minds off challenging issues through…

Guy Martin lends a hand at VIY

As part of our initial partnership with Wickes, we were honoured when Channel 4 presenter Guy Martin and a camera crew visited four VIY project sites. The resulting four short films are still live on All 4/Channel 4 online – they’re well worth a watch! Guy is keen to encourage more young people to learn…

Hear from Kate how a VIY project transformed her students from Newark Orchard School and gave them an outdoor place to learn.

Over 100 young people upskilled thanks to Toolstation

  As one of Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, we began working with Toolstation in 2021. This expanded our partnership across the Travis Perkins Group, working together to help build a future pipeline of talent in the construction industry, and helping to delivery on the Group’s purpose to build better…

MENTOR PROFILE Jada Sandy London Find out more
MENTOR PROFILE Matloob Hashmi North West Find out more
MENTOR PROFILE Kate Kerr South Find out more
VIY Review Launch: Our First Ten Years

We’re delighted to be marking 10 years of Volunteer It Yourself with the release of a review celebrating our first decade as an organisation – VIY: Our First Ten Years. This coincides with another milestone, awarding our 5,000th City & Guilds Entry Level 3 construction skills accreditation to the young people who volunteer with us….

MENTOR PROFILE Alan Dalton South Find out more

Dulux Let’s Colour meets the Amber Foundation, Trowbridge, showcasing the power of paint through their partnership with VIY