Local Volunteers Transform Community Spaces thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Volunteer It Yourself is an organisation that challenges young people to regenerate community spaces while learning new vocational skills. Their projects support local young people aged 14-24 by equipping them with employability skills and qualifications, including City and Guilds accreditation. Learners are mentored by professional tradespeople, and projects are developed through engagement with the local community to identify improvements that will benefit local residents.

VIY run their own selection process for determining suitable projects based on expressions of interest submitted by the community and requests for support. The scopes of all projects including improvements or works are agreed between VIY and the owner. 

The first two projects selected by VIY were at Newark Orchard School in February 2023, creating a sensory garden, and at Boughton Hub in Spring 2024, building a community garden for local residents and community groups. A total of 46 young volunteers participated in these two projects, with 26 gaining accredited trades qualifications as a result of the experience.

The most recent project selected by VIY for delivery is located at St Andrew’s Mission Hall, Blidworth, with renovations undertaken by local community volunteers and the VIY team. The two-week project is taking place throughout November, with works including new fencing, bespoke art and decorating to the interior and exterior, as well as improvements to the building and participation in joinery activities.  VIY have enrolled 23 local young people on to the project in Blidworth, gaining the opportunity to achieve an accredited qualification with support from VIY Trades Mentors, in addition to demonstrating their volunteering efforts.  

Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development, said: “The Volunteer It Yourself programme is a real benefit to the community, and it’s been brilliant to know that our support through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has enabled support to more people.

“Not only are the volunteers themselves building on skills and knowledge provided to them by professional tradespeople, but local community groups are getting the benefit of improved community assets.”

Katie Booth, Programme Manager for VIY in the East Midlands, said: "We're grateful that our mission at VIY can help places like St Andrew's Mission Hall, who've benefited from our work. 

“Thanks to our partners at Dulux who've supported this project; boosting pride in place by renovating vital community spaces and places in need of improvements, whilst also boosting skills and employability for local young people, supporting them towards a brighter future.”

The project has enabled young volunteers to develop vital new skills and accreditations that can help them pursue future careers or interests, in addition to providing the local community with an enhanced valuable space they can take pride in.

This project is made possible with the support of funding received from Newark and Sherwood District Council as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to fund trades mentors. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is providing £2.6 billion of new funding that local authorities can bid for and invest in their districts and boroughs by March 2025.

In December 2022, it was announced that the District Council had successfully secured £3.28 million to allocate to eligible local organisations. More information can be found on the Newark and Sherwood District Council website: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/spf/ 

This is one among many initiatives the District Council has backed over the past year to assist local businesses and community groups in the area. Their Economic Growth team also collaborates with local enterprises and partners providing advice, guidance, and support through a variety of initiatives and approaches. This includes a complimentary grant-finding service, a commercial property search service, and workshops covering topics such as cyber resilience, sustainability, and finances and access to dedicated business advisors.  

More information on support available from the District Council can be found here:  https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/your-business/business-information/business-growth-and-support/