Colebridge Trust

Community Record Studio

Community Skill Share Shop

Once a bakery on the edge of a large housing estate in Norwich, ‘The Shop’ had been vacant for a number of years. Despite some recent use as a pop-up shop, the space was not fit for public use. Following consultation with the local community, the ambition was to transform it into a community skill share hub.

The project: We’ve made this space fit for purpose by creating fitted storage and lockable cupboards, shelving, new flooring and adding an accessible ramp.

The young people: 19 young volunteers from City College Norwich’s Aspire programme, aimed at re-engaging young people at risk of disengaging with mainstream education completed 12+ hours each on the project

The impact:

• Community group ‘The Common Lot’ has occupied the space since VIY completed the refurbishment and are looking to manage the space on a more permanent basis as a skill share space for the community, to deliver employability support, reduce isolation and promote connectivity
• Refurbished unit now offers a bright and practical space for the community to meet
• Positive early levels of engagement, with a number of skill share sessions already taking place, including clothes repair, knitting, arts and crafts, energy saving advice workshop and a visit from Norfolk Wildlife to encourage people to connect with nature, which attracted more than 50 attendees
• 6 young people had attended a VIY project previously
• 12 young people who attended The Shop have gone on to attend further VIY projects with us
• 2 young people have already achieved EET progressions – going onto employment or further training

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Accreditations gained: 15 City & Guilds Entry Level 3 in Carpentry, Tiling and Health & Safety

Concord Youth Centre

Part of the Commonwealth Active Communities fund – creating Commonwealth legacy in Birmingham.

Coneygre Youth Arts Centre

Coneygre Youth Arts Centre, run by Sandwell Youth Services is a vital creative hub for young people across Sandwell, offering sessions in music, recording, performance and production. Trained youth workers use these activities to build trusted relationships and support young people with personal challenges.

The Project

This project brought together seven leading construction partners under the CWM framework – GF Tomlinson, Galliford Try, Interclass, Morgan Sindall, Seddon, Speller Metcalfe, and Willmott Dixon – working alongside VIY and local authorities, to deliver a first-of-its-kind collaboration project. This partnership gives young people – over half of whom are care-experienced – the chance to gain hands-on trade skills, confidence, and real-life experience while making a meaningful difference in their local community.

With demand for the studio soaring, Coneygre’s single recording space was oversubscribed. VIY worked to expand and re-purpose the space by:

• • Building a new drum riser
  • Removing a storage wall to create a singing/podcast booth
  • Adding a stud wall to turn one studio into two
  • Installing fire-retardant, soundproofing tiles
  • Creating a new desk/shelved area for podcasting

The upgraded space now offers:

• Two fully equipped recording studios instead of one
• A new booth for singing, voice work, and podcasting
• Improved functionality with the drum riser and desk area
• More opportunities for young people to develop music skills, collaborate, and access support

The new space is now a safe, modern environment where more young people from across Sandwell can develop music skills, connect with peers, and access support.

The Young People

• 8 young people –  Care experienced and other local NEET/at risk young people referred from Birmingham and Sandwell Children’s Trust, Sandwell Youth Service
• 7 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations achieved 
  • Site Carpentry and Painting & Decorating
• 100% of learners felt more confident about getting a job in the future as a result of the skills gained during the VIY project
• 88% of learners felt their overall feeling of physical health, happiness and wellbeing had improved due to volunteering with VIY 
• 100% of learners would consider a job or career in the building or construction industry due to VIY

VIY’s support will now continue with the young people, in order to support them into a positive progression outcome.

• 5 community volunteers also supported the project by prepping the rooms and clearing out to ensure the spaces were ready for work
  

Project supported by: Dulux, David Paradine, Eclipse Painting, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Eastmoors Youth Centre

Eastmoors Youth Centre, based in Cardiff, offers a wide range of youth clubs and development opportunities. The centre supports young people through initiatives such as digital skills training, creative workshops, youth support services, and inclusive social spaces.es.

The project

The project, funded by Morgan Sindall, supported the transformation of the garage recording studio to create a safe and inspiring space for creativity. Works included: 

• • Purpose-built recording booth and mixing booth
  • Chill-out seating area
  • Soundproofing with a new false wall
  • New internal doors and custom storage
  • Full interior fit-out with timber framework and plaster boarding
  • Feature mural by Fresh Creative.

Impact

• This modern space now gives young people a lasting creative outlet to explore music and media. The transformation also builds community pride, shows local investment, and creates opportunities for collaboration with local artists and volunteers. 
• 5 volunteers from the local community also helped out during the project with various jobs 

Young people

• 19 young people took part in the VIY experience at Eastmoors Youth Centre, referred by Willows High School and a few independent referrals from the local area
• 16% NEET, 84% at risk, inc. those on Free School Meals, in Alternative Education/Excluded/ Poor Attendance and ESOL learners
• 17 young people gained at least one accreditation:
  • 1 x Conduct at Work, 
  • 13 x Painting & Decorating
  • 4 x Carpentry
• VIY continues to work with and track young people’s progression over a period of 12 months, so we can report back on their positive next steps in due course

Young learner: “Enjoyed every aspect of it, cutting wood, fitting wood, learning life skills.”

Elliot’s Story 

Elliot joined during the first week of our project at Eastmoors Youth Centre in Cardiff.  He had previously become disengaged with education after being excluded from school and wasn’t sure if this opportunity would be for him. However, after just 3 days he achieved his City & Guilds Intro to Carpentry and Joinery. 

He then chose to volunteer his own time to return for the entire second and third week, showing real dedication and passion. After those first few days, Elliot told the team he felt so inspired by our mentors that he now wants to pursue a career in Carpentry – a brilliant outcome from his time on the project.

With support from the VIY Youth Engagement team, he secured his CSCS card, and through relationships built on the project, VIY helped open the door to paid work experience with Morgan Sindall. A few months later, he was working on site with their Carpentry contractors.

His update: “Absolutely loving it – believe I’m pretty good at it also.”

East Norfolk College

Evington Youth Club

Evolve

Feather Futures

Feather Futures is a safe space for women, providing support, advice, and training where required to vulnerable people who request their help.

VIY will construct several floor-to-ceiling strong cupboards, complete with doors and various shelving in two rooms and decoration.

Impact

The venue will have the ability to help more people and operate more efficiently with an improved environment for staff and clients.

Project Contact: Jennie Arthur, email jennie@teamviy.com

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