Project contact: wayne@teamviy.com.
What does this community space/venue do?
https://www.carltonlodge.org.uk
Carlton Lodge boasts a lake for water sports and its climbing wall. These two assets complement our other activities on our 12-acre site, meaning we can cater for any need from the adrenaline-fuelled 100m Zip Wire to the more relaxing Archery.
Our activities are run in a way that can be linked to the National Curriculum and meet its requirements.
With 3 separate, self-contained residential buildings you can be sure of individual attention in your own space.
What is VIY doing?
VIY will deliver an outdoor construction project at Carlton Lodge in Thirsk, focused on improving facilities for water-based activities.Young people, supported by experienced mentors, will design and build a covered outdoor drying area for wetsuits. This will include constructing a lean-to structure to the rear of the training room, complete with a raised decking floor to create a durable and functional space for drying equipment.If time allows, the project will also include the construction of a shelter for the archery area, providing additional protection and usability for outdoor activities.Throughout the project, young people will gain hands-on experience in carpentry and construction, while working towards accredited qualifications and developing practical skills, confidence and teamwork.
What will be the impact of our project?
The project will enhance the outdoor facilities at Carlton Lodge, providing a dedicated and practical space for drying wetsuits, which will improve efficiency and extend the lifespan of equipment. The addition of a sheltered, decked area will also create a safer and more organised environment for staff and participants.If completed, the archery shelter will further improve the usability of the site by allowing activities to take place in a wider range of weather conditions.For the young people involved, the project offers valuable real-world construction experience in an outdoor setting. They will develop practical trade skills, gain recognised qualifications, and build confidence through teamwork and achievement.Overall, the project will leave a lasting legacy at the site while supporting young people to progress into further training, education or employment.
Project contact: shaid@teamviy.com
Project contact: jordan@teamviy.com
What does this community space/venue do?
The SVP Deaf Centre Newcastle is an inclusive community hub that brings people together through advocacy, education, cultural events, family and youth support, and partnerships that promote accessibility, empowerment, young leadership and community connection.
What is VIY doing?
VIY in partnership with Dulux, will deliver a refurbishment project at Newcastle Deaf Centre, focused on improving key internal spaces used by the community.
Young people, supported by professional decorators, will redecorate the main room, reception area and a basement space currently affected by mould. Works will include preparation, treatment of affected surfaces where required, and full redecoration to create clean, safe and welcoming environments.
Through the project, young people will gain hands-on experience in painting and decorating, while working towards accredited qualifications and developing practical skills, confidence and employability.
What will be the impact of our project?
The project will have a direct and meaningful impact on the Newcastle Deaf Centre by improving the quality, safety and appearance of its core spaces. Addressing the mould in the basement and redecorating key areas will create a healthier, more welcoming environment for staff, service users and visitors.For the young people involved, the project provides valuable real-world experience in a live setting, helping them to develop practical skills, achieve recognised qualifications and build confidence. Working alongside Dulux professionals also offers insight into industry standards and potential career pathways.More widely, the project demonstrates the power of partnership working, bringing together a national brand, a community organisation and local young people to deliver lasting social value and positive change.
Project contact: shaid@teamviy.com
Project contact: graham@teamviy.com.
Project contact: jordan@teamviy.com
The venue is a grassroots football club that provides opportunities for local people of all ages to take part in sport, training and community activities. The club plays an important role within the local community by creating a welcoming environment for players, supporters and visiting teams, while encouraging participation, teamwork and healthy lifestyles through grassroots football.
Prior to the project, the building was experiencing a number of maintenance issues that were beginning to affect its condition and efficiency. Rotten fascia boards and soffits, alongside failing and damaged guttering. The water penetration was already causing damage and, if left untreated, these issues would have continued to worsen, increasing maintenance costs and potentially impacting the long-term sustainability of the facility. This not only risked further structural deterioration but also reduced the building’s ability to retain heat efficiently.
The project:
VIY delivered a series of retrofit improvement works to help upgrade and maintain the club’s facilities, improving the condition, efficiency and longevity of the club’s facilities creating a more welcoming and functional environment for players and visitors.
The works focused on addressing issues with the building envelope that were contributing to heat loss and weather damage.
Key works included:
- Replacing the missing and damaged failed guttering system
- Replacing a significant amount of rotten fascia boards and soffits
- Preparing and repainting the entire exterior of the building
- Refurbishing the away team changing room
- Replacing inefficient light fittings with more energy-efficient alternatives
These improvements have helped protect the building from further water penetration and weather-related deterioration, while strengthening the building envelope and improving overall energy efficiency. By reducing heat loss, improving lighting efficiency and addressing maintenance issues before they became more severe, the project has extended the lifespan of the facility and reduced the likelihood of costly future repairs.
As well as enhancing the appearance of the venue, the retrofit works have helped future-proof the facility by addressing the root causes of deterioration rather than simply treating the symptoms. By improving the building’s resilience, reducing the risk of water ingress and increasing energy efficiency, the project has helped safeguard an important community asset, ensuring it can continue serving players, volunteers and the wider community for many years to come.
The young people:
39 YP referred by Bramfield House School, Bure Park Academy, Community Education Academy, DWP – Coastal Cluster, East Coast College, Horizon Community Training, Inspire Suffolk, Lapwing Education, Novaturient, Lowest and Waveney Family Support Team – Suffolk County Council, Suffolk County Council Children and Families Services, Suffolk Youth Justice Team, independent referrals
- 85% of learners had a physical disability, learning difficulty/disability or mental health condition
- 26% of young people were NEET, 72% were EET at Risk, 2% were EET Not at Risk
31 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations were achieved;
28 in Introducing Paint Finishing Skills, 3 in Introducing Site Carpentry Skills
A Youth Engagement team member shared the following feedback from one of our referral partner’s.
“Cody enjoyed his 3 days with VIY. When I collected him after his first day he told me that …. We are volunteering helping the football club out and in return, instead of getting paid, we get a qualification. Very insightful I thought.”
What does this community space/venue do?
The Lubber Fiend is a DIY music and events space in Newcastle upon Tyne opened in May 2022. We are one of the cities newest independent small-mid sized venues with a current capacity of 140 which we hope to extend to 200 in the near future. We are a DIY music space, a bar, a radio studio and a workshop. We can be a cinema, a place to host markets, record/art fairs, talks and other performances.
What is VIY doing?
VIY will deliver a practical refurbishment project at Lubber Fiend in Newcastle, transforming the existing green space into a more functional and welcoming area.
Working alongside skilled tradespeople, young people will be actively involved in redecorating the space and constructing new features. This will include building seating with integrated storage, a table with additional storage capacity, and installing a wall-mounted frame for coats and bags.
In addition, VIY will support the creation of a new kitchen area with running water, improving the usability of the space for day-to-day activities. Throughout the project, young people will gain hands-on experience in areas such as carpentry, joinery and painting & decorating, while working towards accredited qualifications and developing key employability skills.
What will be the impact of our project?
Project contact: graham@teamviy.com
Project contact: wayne@teamviy.com.
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