Birmingham City Council
Working to develop pride in place through renovated community spaces, and develop local people and skills through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
We’re proud to be making a positive impact across Birmingham city by partnering with Birmingham City Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. So far, we’ve delivered 8 impactful community projects (see some highlights below).
Alongside this, Birmingham is one of our 4 delivery areas for the Youth Trailblazer programme, which we deliver as a partner across Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall and Liverpool – with 7 project delivered as part of this programme in Birmingham. The programme supports NEET 18–21 year-olds gain hands-on real construction skills and clear pathways into work while renovating community spaces, with the goal of helping the majority progress into education, employment or training.
Together, these initiatives are helping to regenerate community spaces across Birmingham while empowering local young people with the skills, experience and opportunities to shape their futures.
The Vibe Hub
This youth hub supports underrepresented young people in the local area by providing a safe and welcoming space to connect, take part in activities, and access support. We helped refresh the exterior of the building through painting, cleaning, priming, and clearing overgrown vegetation. These improvements have helped bring the space back to life, creating a more inviting environment that encourages more young people to engage with the hub now and in the future.
The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS)
This space supports the local community through food justice, wellbeing and active living projects. Co-funded by Sport England, we helped expand the offer by creating new outdoor areas including a wildlife garden, social events space, sheltered bike store, and accessible ramp to the their outdoor classroom, along with safer storage in the pantry. These improvements mean more people can take part in activities, enjoy community events, and feel included in a space that supports healthier, more connected lives.
“Now that I’ve done this project, I feel like I’m going to get into construction.”
Keira, young volunteer at TAWS
Open House Youth
A not-for-profit organisation with over 25 years’ experience supporting young people through mentoring, mental health initiatives, and community work. They offer youth clubs, wellbeing workshops, allotments, sports, and activities in a safe, welcoming environment. To make the space more inclusive, we worked alongside local young people to upgrade the toilets for accessibility, redecorate the venue, and added extra storage. These improvements have created a safer, more attractive environment, helping the hub better engage young people and their families while strengthening its sustainability.
“VIY have opened up a world of new opportunities, creating a welcoming and functional environment where people of all ages can connect, learn, and grow. From cooking sessions and gardening to intergenerational events and creative workshops, the improved space now supports a wide range of activities that promote wellbeing, inclusion, and community spirit.”
Open House Youth
Burbury Park Community Centre
The Community Centre, a key hub at the heart of Burbury Park in Lozells, is used for a wide range of activities including English lessons, exercise classes, and community events, making it an important part of the local community. For this project, we worked with a fantastic group of young people from Braidwood Trust School, whose students are deaf/have hearing difficulties. Their energy, creativity, and dedication were central to the project, helping refresh the classrooms, main hall, and reception area. These improvements give the centre a fresh, vibrant feel and will help attract new users and groups, ensuring the hub remains a welcoming and valuable space for everyone in the community.
“Having been a NEET young person myself, and then experienced VIY as a referral partner in a SEN school, in this way, I was so impressed with VIY that I joined the team in 2025. I feel passionate about supporting work aspirations and guiding NEET young people to where they want to progress to. The construction industry is a growing sector with dynamic opportunities for today’s young people in building tomorrow’s world.”
Sarah Cullen – Progression Officer, VIY (formerly a Careers Lead from Braidwood School, who referred young people onto this project)
