About the project

Throughout our partnership with Wickes, store colleagues would often have clubs and community initiatives that they would like to offer their support to and would look to VIY to bring these projects to life. One fantastic example of this was at Hampton and Richmond Borough FC. This project was identified by a staff member at Wickes Hanworth who was a member of the club. 

The club were looking to improve the entry and exit facilities for the away fans on match day so the scope of work was to erect two large fences to provide a cover for the away fans turnstile and a larger exit for them.

Hampton & Richmond Borough FC have an existing relationship with Feltham Youth Offending Institute (YOI), engaging inmates previously to support with the ground upkeep.  The impact?

• Four youth offenders volunteered over two days, along with two VIY mentors and a member from the club’s youth team
• They gained valuable skills and hands-on experience working alongside our mentors
• A delighted club with their desired improved facilities and the added social impact of engaging local inmates from Feltham YOI

Michelle Glassup, Feltham Resettlement Officer, was thrilled with the opportunity to get involved with this VIY project: ‘Thanks so much for the opportunity you gave our Young Adults. As amazing as it is for the Football Club, our boys really benefit from working on initiatives such as yours.

For our boys to be able to volunteer alongside other volunteers makes them feel more than just a prisoner serving a sentence. It allows them to achieve the feeling of giving back to the community, which every volunteer knows gives you an enormous sense of well-being and achievement. In the two days they were able not only able to pick up some valuable skills that will enable them to complete DIY on release, it also provided them with life skills like teamwork and leadership. The team as a whole – mentors and our Young Adults – had mutual respect and understanding of each other over the whole job and the days were filled with positive conversations and smiles.

This was one of the most engaged I’ve seen our boys during a work experience placement.”