A CHARITY challenging young people to learn vocational construction skills has renovated three community spaces in Redditch.
Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) revamped community spaces including grassroots sports clubs, youth and community spaces, whilst providing free hands-on work experience opportunities for young people not in education.
In the programme’s first project, VIY repurposed a brand new space for Winyates Centre-based Reach CIC, a community-focused organisation which provides support services such as parenting groups, English classes and wellbeing.
Their second project helped a new committee at Woodrow Community Centre see in a new era to increase its use within the community with new kitchen fittings and redecoration after 10 years with little investment into the building.
VIY’s third project revitalised parts of The Old Needle Works on Britten Street over a three-week period in September 2024.
They helped relocate the kitchen to enable additional accessible facilities, separated out larger rooms through stud wall partitions to create new spaces fit for purpose to host a range of wellbeing services and organisations and undertook a full redecoration throughout.
Leader of Redditch Borough Council, Coun Joe Baker, said: “Seeing spaces across the borough renovated through our partnership with VIY and the support of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is something that brings me great joy.
“It brings even more joy to know all these projects have produced tangible results both for the community groups who operate from the spaces and the young people who have furthered their development with recognisable qualifications.”
MP for Redditch Chris Bloore, who visited the project, added: “By renovating three vital community spaces, we’re not only rejuvenating our town but also investing in our youth’s future.”
The renovation was done in partnership with Careers Worcestershire, NHS Early Intervention Herefordshire, Heart of Worcestershire College, Young Solutions, Reach CIC, and Seetec Plus Redditch.
There is more work to come as the team moves to renovate community hubs across Bromsgrove district. They have recently redecorated Park Hall in Wythall.
Deputy Leader of Bromsgrove District Council and portfolio holder for economic development, Coun Sue Baxter, said: “This scheme will not only make our community spaces better but will also help young people learn important skills for work, investing in their future.
“It’s turning empty places into something useful, creating jobs, and making our area better for everyone, which is excellent news all round.”
