Old Library

A standout project in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council and the UK Government Community Renewal Fund*.

The project:

Renovating a Grade II listed venue in the heart of Mansfield, The Old Library, used for community arts activities, including a makeover through extensive painting & decorating to its interiors and community cafe, to celebrate its 25th anniversary and revitalise the venue ahead of a busy summer of arts activity and performance.

The young people: 17 young people aged 16+ were referred by two local youth organisations: Inspire Culture and Vision West Nottinghamshire College

The impact:

• Interiors, lobby and cafe space upgraded to make it more welcoming
• Multiple onsite work-readiness training sessions delivered by Travis Perkins
• Visit from Executive Mayor for Mansfield, Andy Abrahams (pictured right)
• Platforms donated by GAP Tool Hire
• 7 of the learners have been supported by VIY in accessing and progressing to construction-related further training and employment opportunities
• Dominic Thompson, aged 22, who was NEET on joining VIY, had no past experience in trade skills or interest in construction. He spent three weeks on the project, gaining an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds qualification in Painting & Decorating and has now successfully progressed post-VIY into a formal/higher level Painting & Decorating course and is looking to gain full time employment as a Decorator once finished

Accreditations gained: 15 young people achieved a City & Guilds Entry Level 3 accreditation in Painting & Decorating 

*You can find more information, on the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund here.

Old Quarry Adventure Playground

Old Redcliffians Rugby Club

Orchard Park

Outreach Homes

Outwood Academy Carlton

Outwood Academy Danum

Over the Tracks

Owl House

Paddle Plus

The project:

Paddle Plus wish to work alongside Canal and Rivers Trust to offer paddle sports to more local people in their community, and to partner with their local NHS services to offer self-prescribing services for local people to improve their mental health through paddle sports on the canals and spending time in the peaceful outdoor environment. VIY has helped them create safe storage and socialising areas in an empty shipping container, to help make this vision a reality. Hear more about Paddle Plus and what this space, and this project, means to Shaun, Chair of Paddle Plus, in the video here >>>>>

The young people: 11 young volunteers from Orchard Mead Academy and Birkett House Special School

The impact:

• 11 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations gained in Carpentry
• Safe storage created for canoes to be stored, allowing for paddle sports club activities and self-prescribing services to run for the local community
• Seating created to enable groups to socialise afterwards, spend time together and reduce isolation
• A true collective effort from all involved, from our funders, to the Paddle Plus team for helping us get everything sorted, to Travis Perkins Leicester helping us with all of the materials, to the teachers and learners grabbing this opportunity to boost their skills where they otherwise may struggle to learn, and VIY team members for pulling it all together
• VIY Mentors Mark and Imran praised for their work, and invited to present the certificates to the students of Birkett House at their school assembly celebrating the project

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