WhatCabin Leicester

Youth Engagement Contact: casey@teamviy.com

Project Overview

The project at St Matthews Children’s Action Group (WhatCabin) involved painting the interior and exterior of the building, which hadn’t been refreshed in over 15 years. Interior repainting replaced outdated, garish primary colours with calming tones proven to benefit children’s mood and focus, creating a more welcoming environment for alternative provision classes. Exterior updates aimed to uplift the space, encouraging more families to use the venue.

Retrofitting measures included installing secondary glazing, improving draught exclusion on external doors, and adding water-saving devices, making the building more comfortable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective. These improvements align with the group’s mission to provide free, inclusive play sessions and activities for children aged 5-12 in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Since 1989, the WhatCabin has served as a vital community hub, offering workshops, social events, and free play schemes where children can explore sports, art, self-esteem building, and more, while shaping their own experiences through participation.

Boston Local Community Centre

Youth Engagement Contact: jess@teamviy.com

Project Overview

The project involved internal and external decoration, installing several raised planters, and enhancing a community hub to support various local groups.

St Andrew’s Mission Hall

YMCA Nottingham

Project Manager Contact: rachel@teamviy.com

The YMCA project involves removing and soundproofing a door, adding skirting and blackboard paint for a noticeboard area, and removing three TVs for reuse. A breakfast bar/desk area will be created with a cupboard and lockable pedestal. Draught-proofing strips and roller blinds will be installed, and some existing fixtures will be removed

P.O.W Nottingham

Project Manager Contact: rachel@teamviy.com

The P.O.W project involves painting and decorating communal areas, renovating a therapy room, installing kitchen units, and decorating the kitchen space.

Balderton Scout Hut

Project Manager Contact: rachel@teamviy.com

Project Overview

Balderton Scout Hut is part of a global youth movement that empowers young people to develop skills, make lifelong friendships, and become active citizens. With a vision to inspire more young people by 2025, the Scout Hut aims to grow, become more inclusive, and have a greater impact on their local community through a dynamic programme supported by passionate volunteers.

VIY is helping bring this vision to life by renovating the space. This includes internal painting and decorating of the main hall and toilet facilities, as well as building an outdoor wooden pergola with a roof and potential mural on the front of the building.

These improvements will not only enhance the visual appeal of the Scout Hut but also attract more young people, fostering an inclusive and engaging environment. The new outdoor pergola will serve as an inspiring space for outdoor learning, providing Scouts with a fresh and dynamic space to enjoy and grow.

Wesley Community Hall Centre

Project Manager Contact: rachel@teamviy.com

Project Overview

Wesley Hall Community Centre is dedicated to supporting individuals and families through a variety of services, including early childhood education, youth development, senior citizen programmes, and community events. The centre’s food bank provides vital support to over 115 families daily, and its soup kitchen serves those in need. The day centre offers creative classes and social opportunities for young people with additional needs, helping to foster a sense of community and inclusion.

VIY is enhancing multiple areas of the centre by renovating the garden into a well-being space with seating and a potential allotment area, encouraging sustainable food growth for use in the food bank and soup kitchen. Additionally, we’re painting the main food hall/theatre space and building secure storage for the nursery to ensure a safer, more organised environment for the children. These improvements will create a welcoming, functional, and sustainable space for all who use the centre, from the day care users to families and community groups.

Jigsaw Support Scheme Mansfield

Project Manager Contact: charlie@teamviy.com

Project Overview

Jigsaw has been supporting the Mansfield community for over 15 years, helping individuals experiencing mental health challenges, including those affected by ADHD, autism, hoarding, and more. Their mission is to break down barriers and help people reintegrate into society.

VIY is helping renovate Jigsaw’s outdoor allotment space, including painting and repurposing an old shipping container into a basic kitchen for serving hot drinks and food. The project also involves building new raised beds for increased food production for local foodbanks and creating an accessible path for wheelchair users, enabling care home residents to visit.

These improvements will help Jigsaw grow food sustainably for local foodbanks and provide a safe, inclusive space for people to socialise, develop skills, and connect with their community.

St Peter’s Centre Mansfield

Project Manager Contact: charlie@teamviy.com

Project Overview

St Peter’s Centre in Mansfield is a vibrant community hub, offering a variety of services, including regular meetings, special events, and a daily street kitchen for those in need. It’s a welcoming space where connections are made and ideas are shared.

VIY is helping improve the Centre by painting, decorating, and installing false walls to optimise the layout and functionality of the space. These changes will enhance the Centre’s appearance, create a more organised environment, and increase its versatility, making it a more appealing and hireable venue while benefiting everyone who relies on its services.

Nottingham

To discuss potential projects VIY might be able to support with, contact our East Midlands Project Manager: charlie@teamviy.com

To refer NEET and at/risk young people who would benefit from the VIY experience in Nottingham, contact casey@teamviy.com

See more of our work in Nottingham so far here.

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