Volunteers are transforming community spaces while gaining skills, thanks to funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) has been awarded £60,000 by Newark and Sherwood District Council to provide development opportunities for young people from the fund.

The most recent project is at St Andrew’s Mission Hall, Blidworth, where renovations have been undertaken by community volunteers and the VIY team.

The two-week project includes new fencing, bespoke art, and decorating as well as improvements to the building and participation in joinery activities.

VIY enrolled 23 local young people on to the project, giving them the opportunity to achieve an accredited qualification with support from VIY trades mentors, in addition to demonstrating their volunteering efforts.

VIY challenges people aged 14 to 24 to regenerate community spaces while learning new vocational skills, with the chance to gain employability skills and qualifications, including City and Guilds accreditation.

Learners are mentored by professionals, and projects are developed through engagement with the local community to identify improvements that will benefit local residents.

The first two projects selected by VIY on this programme were at Newark Orchard School in February 2023, creating a sensory garden, and at Boughton Hub in spring this year, building a community garden for 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.

Coun 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, added: “We’re grateful that our mission at VIY can help places like St Andrew’s Mission Hall, which have 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.”