Started: February 2012
Based: London
Website: www.volunteerityourself.org
Twitter: @VolunteerItYourself
Categories: Employment and Jobs, Community Action

Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) combines volunteering and DIY to help young people aged 14-17 learn building and construction skills on the job, by fixing local youth club buildings in need of essential repairs.

The initiative was set up in February 2012 by a team led by Tim Reading, to address the shortage of young people in Britain who want to learn trade and building skills.

Through VIY, young volunteers are mentored by professional tradespeople while fixing local youth club buildings and carrying out essential repairs.

VIY encourages young volunteers to take responsibility for the upkeep and management of the places they use and benefit from, while learning trade skills that can lead to future employment opportunities.

The first phase of VIY was supported by London Youth, The Big Lottery Fund, Wickes, City & Guilds and Cospa.

Since the project began 1,299 young people and 203 tradespeople have refurbished 59 youth club buildings across the UK. Just under 50 VIY clubs have been rolled out in the UK including Yorkshire, West Midlands, Wales, London and the South East.

In addition, 1,047 participants have earned a City & Guilds qualification and 95 have gone on to secure employment as a direct result of the programme. VIY is now looking to support 120 new projects over the next two years.