About the project

Debdale Park is a vibrant mini sports village at the heart of Mansfield Woodhouse, offering a welcoming space for football, rugby, and cricket enthusiasts of all ages and genders. Beyond sport, Debdale Park serves as a hub for community events, festivals, and celebrations – a true cornerstone where residents come together to connect, stay active, and celebrate local pride.

But in recent years, the site had begun to look tired and in need of investment. Outdated facilities and worn exteriors risked putting off new users, despite their huge potential as central hubs for the community.

The project:

With funding from Mansfield District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, VIY worked alongside local young people to deliver a major refurbishment.

• The entire exterior of the building was repainted, giving it a fresh and vibrant new look.
• A professional artist worked with young volunteers to design and create a striking mural. The artwork celebrates the area’s proud mining heritage while also showcasing the three core sports at the park – football, cricket and rugby.
• Inside, the female changing rooms were fully renovated. Once outdated and neglected, they’ve been transformed into a safe, modern, and welcoming space for women and girls.
• Overall, the upgrades enhance visitor experience, boost engagement, and inspire more people to get active at the village.

The young people:

• 27 young people took part in the Debdale Park project, referred by Dawn House School, Vision West Notts College, and the venue itself.
• Their backgrounds included:
  • 7% not in education, employment or training (NEET)
  • 60% at risk of becoming NEET
  • 33% in education, employment or training (EET)
  • 30% with a physical disability, learning difficulty and/or mental health condition
• 25 learners achieved a City & Guilds Introducing Paint Finishing Skills accreditation.

Progressions included:

• 2 indirect employment progressions into roles as a Site Worker and a Floor Joiner
• 1 direct employment progression into a Painting & Decorating Apprenticeship with the Bell Group –  Cameron, 18, joined Debdale Park Sports Club with initial doubts about his engagement, but quickly proved himself with dedication and hard work. With support from the VIY youth engagement and progressions team, Cameron secured a Painting & Decorating apprenticeship with Bell – one of the largest Property Services contractors in the UK. This opportunity was made possible through a brilliant new partnership between VIY and Bell, supported by Dulux Decorator Centre, to help learners move into positive next steps in the construction industry.

The impact (3 Months Post-Project Survey)

• The works have led to more females participating at the club since completion.
• The refreshed site has increased youth engagement.
• The improvements encourage different groups of people to use the space more often.
• Local people now feel more connected to their community as a result of the upgrades.
• The breadth of income streams has increased significantly.
• Confidence in financial resilience has increased significantly.
• Confidence in the future sustainability of the sports village has increased significantly.