Adrian Llewellyn

Scott Barwood

Trevor Moore

Matt Gardner

Matloob Hashmi

“On my first day I was really nervous because I had never worked with young people. After a few days I was thinking of all those years ago, I was like these kids, learning from someone to improve my skills. My favourite part of working with VIY is at the end of the day when you ask if they have enjoyed themselves and learnt anything that day, and with a big smile they say YES, giving you a list of things they have enjoyed doing that day.”

Kate Buxton

I’ve been doing joinery and building maintenance for the last 18 years and I wanted to try something different.

So far I’ve been involved with around 10 projects, and the best thing about working with VIY is you work as a team to pass your knowledge and experience to the young learners, and no two days are the same!

I love meeting students on the first day when they are disengaged, and over the course of the project they come out of their shells and start getting involved and enjoying themselves.

Sarah Costello

Sarah is a Painter & Decorator from the West Midlands.

When Sarah was younger she did a similar programme to VIY which subsequently unlocked many opportunities for her, mentoring being one of them. She joined VIY in 2021 at Southbrook Community Centre in Daventry, supporting young people with their painting & decorating skills.

“I find it rewarding passing on my knowledge and in return I get to help communities and get to know different kinds of people, learning new skills myself.”

Neil Smith

Bill Langwith

Bill first volunteered on VIY back in 2015. At the time he was semi-retired but enjoyed the experience so much that he now works pretty much full-time for VIY. Bill has now mentored on 20+ VIY projects and is highly respected by all young people he has supported. He is a genuine multi-trader and can turn his hand to most things, from plumbing and carpentry to electrical work and painting and decorating.

Paul Wilks

Paul first encountered VIY when we ran a project at Portico Vine Rugby League Club in St Helens in 2014 where Paul was involved as a coach and committee member. He was so impressed by the impact the project had on the club and the young people who took part that he began working for VIY on further projects across the North of England and is now full time in his Lead Mentor role.

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