VIY

Volunteer It Yourself combines DIY and volunteering by challenging young people aged 14-24 to help repair and refurbish youth and community facilities, whilst learning vocational trade skills on the job. VIY participants are mentored by local professional tradespeople and can work towards and gain Entry Level City & Guilds trade skills accreditations, and the majority of young people who take part are disengaged or excluded (or at risk of disengagement/exclusion) from mainstream education and training, and/or unemployed. Since 2011, over 12,000 young people have volunteered at 600+ VIY projects UK-wide, supported by 1,000+ trade skills mentors. Outcomes include 40% of all participants achieving the Entry Level 3 City & Guilds skills qualification and 30% of NEET participants aged 16+ progressing to further training or employment. 65% of participants also report increased confidence levels across seven key personal skills linked to employability. Activity is ongoing throughout the UK and we are always open to new potential projects as well as enquiries from people, groups and organisations wanting to get involved - contact us at [email protected].