Heart of Birmingham Vocational College (HBVC)
13 March 2026
Project contact: jordan@teamviy.com
Manor Farm Project 3
13 March 2026
Mansfield Wildlife Rescue
20 February 2026
Mansfield Wildlife Rescue is a registered charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and caring for injured, abandoned and orphaned native wildlife across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
With support from Mansfield District Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a previously unused woodland area on site has now been transformed into an engaging outdoor play and exploration space for children.
The project:
At Mansfield Wildlife Rescue, VIY delivered a series of outdoor improvements to create a fun, nature-based play environment that encourages exploration, creativity and active play. The East Midlands team took time to carefully design the space around how children naturally explore and interact with outdoor environments, helping to create an engaging and imaginative play experience.
Key works included:
- Construction of a large timber teepee play structure
- Creation of a castle-themed adventure play area
- Installation of A-frame climbing structures and balance beams
- Development of a fire pit and gathering space
- Repurposing an old wooden wheel found on site into a unique slide with steps, giving new life to existing materials while celebrating the site’s history
- Entrance improvements with new sleeper edging to replace a muddy and uneven pathway with a safer, more welcoming access route
All timber features were built for long-term use and treated with Dulux exterior stains and preservatives to help protect them from the weather and ensure the space can be enjoyed for years to come.
Overall, these improvements have transformed an unused woodland area into a creative and welcoming outdoor environment for visiting children and families.
Community impact:
The new play area has brought a previously unused part of the site to life, giving children and families a fun and engaging space to explore, play and connect with nature. The woodland area now provides opportunities for imaginative play, outdoor learning and discovery, complementing the charity’s wider work around wildlife, conservation and community engagement.
The venue has since shared a video of the space in use and some lovely feedback – and it’s really special seeing children experience it for the first time. Watch it here.
The young people:
15 young people took part in the project at Mansfield, referred by Inspire Culture, Mansfield Jobcentre Plus, Pollyteach Mansfield and Vision West Notts College
- 13.5% of learners were NEET , 73% were EET at Risk , 13.5% EET not at risk
- 47% of learners had a physical disability, learning difficulty/disability or mental health condition
14 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations were achieved;
4 x Introducing Paint Finishing Skills, 6 x Introducing Site Carpentry Skills, 4 x Health & Safety in Places of Work
The following comments were shared by young people who took part in the project, reflecting on their experience:
‘ I really enjoyed getting my hands dirty and learning from my mistakes, improving my eye for detail. Working alongside mentor Kane who is an amazing man, supported us and treated us as equals not children and the wildlife rescue itself is very welcoming place with very friendly people’
‘ I really enjoyed working with VIY, it was really good and I enjoyed working with the mentors. It was my sort of thing working with my hands as I like that kind of work rather than paperwork’
The Vibe Youth Club
7 November 2025
Project contact: jordan@teamviy.com
Frindsbury Cricket Club
20 February 2026
Project contact: graham@teamviy.com
Open House Phase 2
20 February 2026
Project contact: jordan@teamviy.com
Treorchy Boys & Girls Club
20 February 2026
In 1922, Miners’ Welfare Organisations linked with the Ocean Group of Collieries. The United National Collieries and other colliery companies came to the conclusion that welfare schemes would make little impact on the ‘collier boy’ if there were no Boys’ Clubs in which they could be engaged.
In 1922 the first Boys’ Club was opened in Treharris, to be followed by the establishment of other Boys’ Clubs at Nantymoel, Ton Pentre & Gelli, Treorchy, Wattstown and Nine Mile Point.These were led by Full-time youth workers on a scale unparalleled elsewhere in Great Britain, even during a time of economic depression. Capt Glynn wanted every boy to be a member of a club which provided healthy exercise, cultural activities and discipline. He also beleived that the boys had a responsibility to the community to which they belong.
-Full refurbishment of male and female toilets to better utilise existing space and improve overall user experience of building – current toilets are poorly laid out and the club receives a lot of negative feedback about them.
-General redecoration of most used spaces to improve aesthetic and feel of the club.
The Social Action Hub 3
13 March 2026
From a community safety perspective, improving and activating the space increases natural surveillance and positive use of the area, which can help reduce anti-social behaviour and create a stronger sense of ownership and pride. Providing structured group sessions and a consistent safe space also offers early-intervention opportunities, supporting wellbeing, building resilience and empowering women and girls with knowledge, skills and trusted relationships.
With funding from the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner focused on improving facilities for women and girls, this project directly contributes to creating safer spaces, increasing access to support, and fostering a stronger, more connected community where women and girls feel valued, heard and protected.
Live! Cheshire
20 February 2026
Project contact: nigel@teamviy.com.
North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Carbon Negative Fund
29 January 2026
Please contact matt@teamviy.com for further details on this programme.
