Halcrow Foundation funds have helped young people in the UK who are not in education or training learn skills to help them find employment.
We funded two projects run by Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), an organisation that teaches young people trade skills while renovating community spaces.
Employment opportunities
Gardening 4 Health is a popular community garden and education space that hosts activities, courses and events for the local community in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Young people were referred to VIY from a local college and special educational needs school, and learned carpentry skills to build a new shelter for the garden. This gives its users space away from bad weather and opens up the site to more people. Out of the 32 young people who took part in the project, 24 gained accreditation in carpentry skills. As well as boosting their self-confidence and social skills, this will help them find employment opportunities. Gardening 4 Health reported, “We really enjoyed working with VIY and the young people that came along to help build the shelter. They all engaged in the project and seemed to really enjoy it, which was lovely to be a part of.”
Positive force
VIY also worked with an award-winning youth organisation called Be The Change that brings together young people in Bolton, Lancashire, and helps them become a positive force in their community. Be The Change is moving to a larger space in the city so it can double the people it supports from 200 to 400. With VIY’s help, 11 young people – referred by Be The Change – created two new spaces in the building. This included a new music and podcast studio where young people can learn and practice their music skills away from the streets, and a counselling room where youth workers and young people can have private conversations. The VIY team also decorated a games room. The project not only creates a safe community space in the city, it enabled eight people to gain accreditation in carpentry and work skills. Be The Change said, ”Having young people involved in this way helps to give them ownership of the centre and it is something they will forever cherish and be proud of.”
Photo credit: Volunteer It Yourself
