Bella Hindle

“I’m a self employed painter and decorator from Southend, and I have so far mentored on a couple of local VIY projects and I can honestly say it’s been an eye-opener. The young people really put the effort into the work and learning new skills, and often spoke about how optimistic they were about their futures now that they’re learning a trade. Some even discussed their ambition to embark on a painting and decorating career as a self-employed tradesperson and it became clear to me that this project not only gives young people a trade but also builds confidence and gives them a passion for their next steps in life.

Kayleigh Morris – a VIY volunteer

As a complete novice, Kayleigh, from Hackney, took part in skills sessions at VIY’s north London Hub project, on the Northumberland Park Estate in Haringey, in 2015. Through her participation she achieved City & Guilds Entry Level 3 accreditations in carpentry and plumbing, and her VIY experience inspired her to start a construction skills course at Lambeth College.

This also led to Kayleigh being offered a two-year apprenticeship by Pimlico Plumbers, a VIY employer partner. She qualified in 2018 and now works full-time with Pimlico Plumbers, whilst also still serving as an ambassador for VIY. Kayleigh sees trade skills as a job for life: “Once you learn a trade, you’re okay. You’ll always be able to make a living.”

Imran Younas

Imran lives in Birmingham and has many years experience as a self-employed tradesman. He first got involved with VIY in February 2013 after seeing an advert calling out for volunteers on trade recommendation site Rated People. He initially agreed to volunteer for one day on a local project, but he quickly discovered he really enjoyed passing on his skills to young people. Since then he has been involved in more than 375 VIY projects in the West Midlands and across the UK, personally helping over 6,000 young people gain a City & Guilds Entry Level qualification.

Imran is now our National Head Mentor and, as well as mentoring young people on projects, he also helps scope and assess new VIY projects, and brief and train new mentors. He also undertakes outreach work in schools and colleges, delivering assembly talks and running classroom workshop sessions.

Imran makes the point: “It’s great to see how young people develop their skills whilst working on a VIY project. Many of them come to VIY thinking that that they’re not very good at learning, but once involved, they realise they can pick up new vocational skills very quickly, and that finding a job doing something you really enjoy is possible.”

Zeeshan Shah – a VIY volunteer

Zeeshan, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was 22 and unemployed at the time he joined a VIY project to repair and improve a local drop-in centre run by Youth Concern in aid of vulnerable young people.

He was attracted to the opportunity to volunteer and do something for his community at the same time as learning new vocational skills and improving his employment prospects.

Zeeshan ultimately committed more than 50 volunteer hours to the project and successfully achieved an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditation in painting and decorating.

He is now targeting a starter job as a painter and decorator with the support of the local Job Centre Plus office through which he first heard about VIY.

Jordan Smith – a VIY volunteer

Jordan first participated, aged 23, at the Shard End VIY Hub project in Birmingham in 2016. He was referred by Job Centre Plus and completed four City & Guilds Entry Level 3 accreditations (in carpentry, plumbing, tiling, and painting & decorating). From VIY, Jordan progressed to an apprenticeship with one of our local partners, The Construction Training Centre, before accepting a full-time job as an engineer with local company Midlands Flooring.

According to VIY Lead Mentor Imran Younas: “When we first met Jordan we could tell he was competent and mature, but that he just needed a bit of guidance. Hopefully that’s what we’ve been able to give him. When I first saw him supporting the younger people in his group I knew he would make a good peer mentor, and I’m really pleased we’ve been able to get him back to help with new projects. He is absolutely brilliant with new learners and I’m sure he’ll have a brilliant career – he deserves it.”

Shamak Czachowski – a VIY volunteer

Shamak, from Haringey in north London, was NEET (not in employment, education or training) prior to signing up to participate in a local VIY project, aged 17, having been referred via Job Centre Plus. Over four weeks on the Eric Allin Centre project in Tottenham, Shamak committed more than 50 volunteer hours, at the same time as working towards and achieving Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations in both plumbing and tiling.

In the process, Shamak so impressed one of the local building and construction companies (Ideal Handyman) providing skills mentors on the project, they offered him a paid apprenticeship, in conjunction with the College of North East London.

Shamak’s journey has also gone full circle, with him now volunteering in his spare time with VIY as a peer mentor for young people on new VIY projects across north London.

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