About the project

HMP Send is a closed women’s prison in Surrey, supporting women as they work towards rehabilitation and resettlement. Maintaining positive family relationships is an important part of this journey, helping women stay connected with their children as they prepare for release.

VIY worked alongside Wates and  City & Guilds Foundation to transform a disused property that had previously sustained fire and water damage into a safe, comfortable and homely space for women accessing Child Care Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) to spend quality time with their children.

The project:

Over 6 weeks, VIY and Wates completed a full refurbishment of the property, creating a welcoming space where families can cook, watch TV, play games and spend time together in a more home-like environment.

Key works included:

• Refitting the kitchen, bathroom, utility area and downstairs WC
• Installing new ceilings in the lounge and master bedroom
• Plastering walls and redecorating throughout
• Fitting new doors and door surrounds
• Installing new flooring throughout
• Landscaping the garden, including cutting back overgrown foliage and installing new fence panels

The completed refurbishment has transformed a previously disused property into a warm, practical and welcoming space for families.

The young people:

15 local young people, referred by Surrey County Council, took part in the VIY experience, gaining hands-on experience in construction and refurbishment skills while working alongside VIY Mentors and industry professionals.

Community impact

The completed space provides women accessing Child Care ROTL with a safe and homely environment where they can spend meaningful time with their children.

Families can cook, play, relax and enjoy everyday activities together, creating an environment that feels more like home and helping to strengthen relationships between mothers and their children.

The space also provides a more affordable alternative to spending time together in public spaces, helping to reduce the financial burden on families while making visits less stressful and more enjoyable for children.

By creating a comfortable place for families to spend time together, the project supports the maintenance of important family ties and forms part of women’s wider resettlement journey.

We’re proud to have been part of this project – a strong example of partnership, purpose and social value in construction in action.

👉 Read more about the project and partnership in the City & Guilds Foundation’s case study here.

🎥 Watch the video above to see the finished space and the impact.