Along with Birmingham City Council, The Active Wellbeing Society and the Canal and Rivers Trust, Sport Birmingham have worked alongside VIY supporting their delivery of a range of projects in Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Balsall Heath and Bordesley Green.
VIY combines DIY and volunteering (VIY!) by challenging young people aged 14-24 to help repair and refurbish community places and spaces, whilst learning vocational trade skills on the job. VIY learners are mentored by professional tradespeople and can work towards and gain entry level City & Guilds trade skills accreditations. They work with young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of disengagement/exclusion from mainstream education and training. The young people learn skills whilst renovating community spaces in need of essential repairs and improvements.
Over recent years, VIY have worked in collaboration with Sport Birmingham to create opportunities for young people and transform community spaces across the region. Through the Commonwealth Active Communities Fund, 5 community spaces have been transformed from November 2022 to January 2024, creating better access to physical activity while empowering 61 young volunteers (14 – 24) with skills, qualifications, and personal aspirations. These projects targeted areas with the highest inactivity and socio-economic challenges, making sport and physical activity more accessible for local communities.
What VIY have achieved
5 active spaces improved in priority wards:
- Paddlesports Hub at Ackers Adventure, Sparkbrook
- Concord Youth Centre, Sparkbrook
- Saltley Stallions FC, Bordesley
- Muath Trust, Sparkhill
- St Paul’s Community Trust, Balsall Heath
Opportunities for 61 young people:
Referred by 10 local Youth Referral Partners, including St Basils, Edge Academy, and Waverley College.
55 City & Guilds Entry Level accreditations achieved:
At least 7 young people have progressed from NEET to education, employment, or training, with many others gaining skills, confidence, and experience.
For full details of VIY’s work with Sport Birmingham click below.