Current Projects

Meet Team VIY

We’re progressive. We’re all about collaboration. We’re flexible. We’re inclusive. We’re a passionate bunch.

The VIY values lived and breathed by every member of Team VIY, including our Trade Mentors. If you’d like to join our mission, check out the roles we’re recruiting for here. Alternatively you’ll find Mentor roles here and opportunities to volunteer with us here.

Senior Leadership Team

Tim Reading CEO & Co-Founder Tim has 25 years experience of creating and growing cross-sector social action projects, and a background in engineering
Ed Sellwood COO & Co-Founder Ed has 25 years of experience managing community and grassroots youth programmes, specialising in finance management.
Dee Dee Whelan Business Development Director Dee Dee’s led VIY’s growth over 6 years, with extensive experience developing community projects in the UK and overseas.
Hannah Denny Communications & Partnerships Director Hannah’s 10+ years in comms and building partnerships drives her to grow VIY’s impact with a broad range of partners.
Matt Mellor Programme Director – North West, North East and Yorks & Humber Matt has extensive experience managing and implementing community based projects, seeing young people thrive.
Katie Booth Programme Manager – East Midlands Katie’s experience at the heart of youth and community engagement is growing VIY’s impact in her region.
Owen McCavana Programme Manager – West Midlands With 15 years in programme management and youth work, Owen blends expertise in construction and charity to drive change.
Tom Hague Retrofit & Green Skills Consultant / Programme Manager – South West & South Wales Tom has 10+ years’ experience growing social enterprises, including at VIY.

Central Support Team

Alex Berwick Data & Impact Manager With expertise in data and impact measurement, Alex is passionate about helping VIY evidence their achievements.
Sue Johnson Skills Manager & Assessor – East of England Sue brings extensive experience as a Skills Manager, helping young people gain skills and knowledge for qualifications.
Karen Lilley Mentors Manager Karen has 20+ years project management experience, leading on building refurbishment projects and volunteering services.
Tanice Jackson Internal Team Officer Tanice has 10+ years experience supporting teams and creating memorable events for brands, venues and communities.
Ella Kane Communications Officer With 4 years in marketing and comms, including charity and freelance work, Ella uses storytelling to grow VIY’s impact.
Mia Kelly Junior Team Admin Mia joined VIY via the Youth Economic Inactivity Trailblazer in Stockport – with a drive to progress into the industry.

East of England

Alice Whitney Programme Manager – East of England Alice expanded VIY’s reach into Norfolk – her experience in place-based growth is now helping us grow across the East.
Sue Johnson Skills Manager & Assessor – East of England Sue brings extensive experience as a Skills Manager, helping young people gain skills and knowledge for qualifications.
Mick Loftus Project Manager – East of England Mick has 40+ years in the construction industry and is now helping young people start their journey.
Jojo Yohannes Youth Engagement & Progressions Co-ordinator – East of England Jojo is a Social Psychology graduate turned VIY volunteer, now full team member, passionate about creating change.
David Goode Lead Mentor – East of England David is a multi-trade mentor, teaching young learners practical skills and opening doors to construction career paths.
Dom Hudson Lead Mentor – East of England Dom, a skilled carpenter and joiner brings extensive experience in multi-trade projects, to create lasting solutions.
Allan Crick Mentor – East of England Retired teacher with HNC Construction, B.Ed and experience in multi-trade and supervision.

East Midlands

Katie Booth Programme Manager – East Midlands Katie’s experience at the heart of youth and community engagement is growing VIY’s impact in her region.
Emma Bailey Assessor – East Midlands Emma is a retrofit specialist, delivering quality training and helping learners achieve the right qualifications.
Charlie Morgan Project Manager – East Midlands Charlie has 15+ years of experience in youth work and project management, with a passion for community.
Casey Gulliford Youth Engagement & Progressions Co-ordinator – East Midlands With a background in SEN and youth engagement, Casey’s knowledge & skills create a positive impact on young people.
Kane Jarvis Lead Mentor – East Midlands Kane is a qualified Lead Mentor, leading painting and decorating projects across the East Midlands.
Alex Hallford Mentor – East Midlands
Dave Beaman Mentor – East Midlands Multi-trader with 40 years’ experience, including Laing O’Rourke, Wimpey and more.

West Midlands

Owen McCavana Programme Manager – West Midlands With 15 years in programme management and youth work, Owen blends expertise in construction and charity to drive change.
Sally Mawson Assessor – West Midlands
Jordan Clarke Project Manager – West Midlands With 10+ years in construction & project management, Jordan’s now passionate about developing the next generation.
Jess Bailey Youth Engagement Co-ordinator – West Midlands With her youth work and psychology experience, Jess drives positive impact for young people who need VIY the most.
Sarah Cullen Progressions Co-ordinator – West Midlands Having seen VIY’s impact first-hand for learners as a Careers Advisor, Sarah’s now driven to help young people progress.
Ade Llewellyn Lead Mentor – West Midlands Ade, a skilled joiner and carpenter, uses his SEN experience to foster youth development through hands-on learning.
Darren Preece Support Mentor – West Midlands Darren is a multi-skilled tradesperson, who’s found a passion for mentoring young people with VIY.
Bill Westwood Mentor – West Midlands Highly skilled and reliable bricklayer with over 10 years’ experience in residential and commercial construction.

North West

Matt Mellor Programme Director – North West, North East and Yorks & Humber Matt has extensive experience managing and implementing community based projects, seeing young people thrive.
Nigel Rutylo Project Manager – North West Nigel has 30 years experience in structural design, project and site management, youth work and refugee support.
Gemma Torr Assessor & Progressions Co-ordinator – North West Gemma is passionate about youth work, with a background in education, outreach, recruitment, training and assessment.
Simon Kitson Lead Mentor – North West Simon, a long-serving mentor and trades professional, helps young people build skills for successful careers.
Esme McCall Support Mentor – North West Esme is a skilled carpenter, with a passion for using carpentry as a therapeutic tool to support neurodiverse learners.

North East and Yorkshire & Humber

Matt Mellor Programme Director – North West, North East and Yorks & Humber Matt has extensive experience managing and implementing community based projects, seeing young people thrive.
Shaid Nazir Project Manager – North East and Yorkshire & Humber Shaid is a driven professional with experience in policing, education & employer engagement across the UK & UAE.
Lynsey Wozencroft Youth Engagement Co-ordinator – North East/Yorks & Humber With over 25 years recruitment experience, Lynsey is passionate about mental health and helping young people thrive.
Cathy Sartin Assessor – North East and Yorkshire & Humber Cathy has hands-on construction experience, with a strong focus on site safety and creating a positive learner journey.
Simon Wilson Lead Mentor – North East and Yorkshire & Humber
Chris Mcdonald Lead Mentor – North East and Yorkshire & Humber
Rebecca Marchant Support Mentor – North East and Yorkshire & Humber Rebecca is a talented decorator and enjoys passing on her skills and experience to the next generation.

South West and Wales

Tom Hague Retrofit & Green Skills Consultant / Programme Manager – South West & South Wales Tom has 10+ years’ experience growing social enterprises, including at VIY.
Wayne Sharp Project Manager – South West/South Wales Wayne has a practical, hands-on background with experience spanning construction, projects and people management.
Ffion Jenkins Youth Engagement Co-ordinator – South West/South Wales Ffion has worked with NEET young people in South Wales, and sees VIY as a great opportunity she would have looked for!

London and South East

Graham Blackburn Senior Project Manager – London & South East Graham is a health & wellbeing specialist tackling inequalities and the impact it has on communities and young people.
Alan Dalton Support Mentor & Youth Engagement Co-ordinator – London and South East Alan is our longest-serving multi-trade mentor and is now supporting our youth engagement.
Dan Munn Assessor – London & South East Dan is a skilled carpenter and assessor, mentoring young people through skill-building projects.
Andy Ball Lead Mentor – London & South East With 40+ years in construction, Andy brings expertise across trades, delivering exceptional craftsmanship and insight.
Allan Montague Support Mentor – London & South East Allan has 40+ years in the decorating industry, having previously supported 300-400 young people into the sector.

Advisory Board Members

VIY’s senior management team is supported by an advisory board currently comprising five members, all of whom have considerable personal experience of VIY’s work and activities and, between them, cover areas of key relevance to VIY including social action, education and vocational skills, and the DIY sector/building trade.

Natalie Cramp Consultant u0026amp; Strategic Advisor Natalie is a Partner at commercial data firm JMAN Group, and former COO, Careers u0026amp; Enterprise / Director, Team London.
Matthew Gaunt Chair, VIY Matthew was VIY’s client for five years whilst Brand u0026amp; Marketing Director at DIY and home improvement retailer Wickes
Michael Osbaldeston Senior Advisor, City u0026amp; Guilds City u0026amp; Guilds is the world’s largest skills body and has underpinned VIY’s skills offer to young people since 2012
Carrie Deacon Independent social innovation strategist Formerly of innovation foundation Nesta, a long-term supporter of VIY’s organisational growth and development
Caroline Brooks Head of Physical Activity Caroline has over 20 years of experience in the sports industry and has been an informal VIY champion for many years.
I’d like to find out more about becoming a mentor
I work with young people who would benefit from VIY
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