Projects

Reach CIC

Completed: 2023
Location: Redditch, West Midlands
Region: West Midlands
Other local partners: Dulux, Redditch Borough Council - UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Toolstation, Travis Perkins

About the project

Our first project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with Redditch Borough Council.

The project:

Reach is a Community Interest Company (like us), whose activities are all for the benefit of the community. All activities and services they run from their space in Redditch, including parent & baby groups, English classes, fitness classes and cinema clubs, are free of charge for local people. They had to vacate their previous space in the Winyates Centre due to water damage, moving into a former chemist more akin to an office. Not the vibrant, warm, safe, friendly space desired for their services, but a roof over their heads nonetheless. They wanted to create a space that local people know is there for them, to feel is theirs, safe space and for services they may need.

To begin with, Reach Director Shannon told us “it just doesn’t look like a community space.. you have no idea how much difference this whole project will make” – we had quite the impact – see the before/after images to the right >>>

The young people: 10 young people referred from Heart of Worcestershire College, Young Solutions and the local area

The impact:

  • Helped create a fit-for-purpose space by remodelling and creating stud walls – opening the main space out for larger groups and activities including fitness classes
  • Created smaller, safer, confidential spaces for certain services and conversations
  • Installed new basic kitchen units, thanks to generous donations from Toolstation suppliers Kitchen Kit and Bushboard, where there were previously only makeshift tables
  • Redecorated throughout, including a truly impactful external window design in partnership with local window artist Hannah Exall to showcase the vibrancy of the centre, to help people identify the space and know what services are on offer which could be of use to them
  • This work has allowed Reach to expand their groups to the same size as their previous space – and larger – and welcome new people too

Match-funded by Toolstation, Travis Perkins Plc and Sport England.

Accreditations gained: 5 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations gained in Painting & Decorating, Conduct at Work and Health & Safety

About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

The work that VIY has done for Reach will forever change our community centre. Without the refurb, we never would be able to reach our full potential as a community group. Because of the work done, we now have the capacity to hold full groups again. We are able to expand our reach in the community and look forward to all the new prospects this refurb can bring. VIY were amazing throughout the whole project and the feedback we have had from our service users has been amazing. We can not thank VIY enough for what they have done! Rachel and Shannon, Directors, Reach CIC