Winchmore Hill Sports Club

Project contact: graham@teamviy.com

Havering Virtual School

Virtual schools are educational settings which support looked after and previously looked after young people. They seek to boost educational outcomes for these young people who can often be at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).

Our pilot project with Havering Virtual School in London during summer 2024 was a great success, with the aim to bridge the skills gap and build confidence for young people who have been out of mainstream education for a while.

Young people, supported by Havering Virtual School and VIY’s Trade Mentors, designed and built a covered seating area with a table for the staff at MyPlace Youth & Community Centre, to use as a social space whilst taking breaks from work for positive wellbeing.

This pilot one week workshop was also used as an engagement tool to build rapport with young people and boost their skills by setting up a communal space which will be a constant positive reminder of their experience.

Impact of this project:

• 4 young volunteers gaining hands-on construction skills – experience they wouldn’t otherwise gain elsewhere
• All 4 volunteers achieved an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditation in Carpentry during this week long project
• Sharna Swain, Key stage 4 & 5 Officer for Havering Virtual School told us: “The boys truly loved it, the mentors were brilliant and it’s really helped to encourage thinking around their aspirations!”
• Our Lead VIY Trade Mentor on this project, Dale said: “It’s a great opportunity for these young people to learn in a way that suits them, away from a formal educational environment where they’ve previously faced disruption or that they may have been away from for long periods of time due to care.”
• A ceremony is being held to celebrate the work of these young people with their parents, carers and Head of Children’s Services from Havering Council

Plumstead Darts Hall

For project info contact: graham@teamviy.com

Aaja Music

Aaja Music is a grassroots music organisation founded by Sam and Owen, two local music business owners from the local Deptford area; incorporating a record label, radio station, music event space. They were forced out of their pre-Covid home, into their temporary home during and since Covid at the nearby Snake Pit – an outdoor venue. Now they’re on a mission to transform this venue on Deptford High Street, which has been empty for 10 years, having been the local Marks & Spencer (the jewellery counter still remains!), car park and underground club. Step in our first project in partnership with Barclaycard Entertainment, doing #SomethingConstructive together for grassroots music, arts and culture.

The project:

• First up was major clearance and site prep to make the space accessible including asbestos removal, temporary electrics/lighting (thanks to GAP Tool Hire), prepping a temporary toilet area, floor levelling and an industrial clean
• Construction of two stud walls around the new entrance, to create a sound barrier for neighbours
• Construction of the walls and doorway between the two larger event spaces
• Initial construction of the hallway which separates the main music space from the other areas and creation of the live radio studio

The young people: 10 local young volunteers, from the Construction Youth Trust, Lewisham College, St Giles’ Trust and Royal Greenwich Council

The impact:

• This project kickstarts a wider programme of works to create Aaja’s new long-term home on Deptford High Street, with a 10 year lease
• Hands-on work experience for 10 young people looking to get into construction, helping to develop a space they may use on their doorstep
• Expanding the organisation into two venues: the High Street as their indoor home and radio station, The Snake Pit as their live event & market space

Accreditations gained: 9 City & Guilds accreditations gained in Carpentry

See the impact of the project in our film below.

Action on Disability

Adelina Grove Youth Club

AFC Lewisham

All Stars Boxing Gym

Applecart Arts

Bellingham Leisure Centre

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