VIY and Barclaycard to bring creative media space to young people in north Cardiff

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Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), a Community Interest Company (CIC) challenging young people to learn vocational construction skills whilst breathing life back into community places, is embarking on a project to bring a much-needed space for creative arts to Gabalfa Youth and Community Centre in Cardiff.

VIY combines DIY and volunteering by challenging young people aged 14-24 to help repair and refurbish youth and community facilities, whilst providing free hands-on work experience opportunities for local young people not in education, employment or training, or who are at risk of becoming disengaged, mentored by professional tradespeople with the chance to gain Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations in trade skills.

The CIC has been delivering construction skills workshops to students in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) in the city, mentored on the tools by professional tradespeople, since 2022 through a partnership between the Cardiff Commitment, Cardiff Council and Centregreat.

VIY’s next project in Cardiff is taking place between 15th-26th April. This will see VIY and young people from Gabalfa Youth and Community Centre and local organisations including the YMCA create a multi-purpose media studio where young people can learn and develop their skills including music production, live vocal and musical instrument sessions, podcasting, and editing, where there is currently no such provision for young people north of the city.

VIY will separate existing space through a sliding door to form the media studio, with acoustic tiles for basic soundproofing, and will create a partition wall on wheels to separate two neighbouring rooms where needed for different activities and rehearsals, plus redecoration throughout. Equipment including a sounding deck and microphones will be donated from Cardiff Council to get the studio up and running. This project is the fourth VIY project funded by Barclaycard, as part of their commitment to using music and the arts as a vehicle to teach life skills to young people.

Dan Mathieson, Head of Sponsorship for Barclaycard, said: “We are excited to collaborate again with VIY on what is our fourth project together and first in Wales. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished space and the benefits the refurbishments will bring to the local community.”

James Healan, Principal Youth Officer for Cardiff Youth Service: “Cardiff Youth Service are always keen to develop and nurture a collaborative approach to developing opportunities for young people within our communities. Young people are always seeking opportunities to explore the world of work and activities and opportunities that can widen these experiences.
Working in partnership with VIY and Barclaycard to bring alive a creative media space to young people in north Cardiff was an opportunity we could not miss.

Young people and the wider community will continue to benefit from a range of innovative and creative experiences in this digital space for years to come. Involving young people from the community gives them ownership and makes them partners in the space, encouraging them to be active partners in the activities and opportunities delivered.”

Megan Rees, Centre Coordinator, Building Heroes Wales said: “We are greatly looking forward to the opportunity to work with VIY on what, hopefully, will be the first of many projects. We’re keen to combine our forces to support young people through VIY and the military community through Building Heroes. I cannot think of a more worthwhile cause than mentoring
young people in the community, while providing employment and work experience for those leaving the Armed Forces.

Tim Reading, CEO of VIY, said: “We’re delighted to continue our growth in Wales and also to further build our partnerships with Cardiff Commitment and Barclaycard. With huge demand to bridge the construction skills shortage, as well as so many vital local community clubs and spaces in need of improvements to help them survive and thrive, we know there’s great work to be done together with a range of committed partners across the country.”

Further VIY projects are planned across Wales in 2024, including in Ebbw Vale at a rundown football club, supported by the Barclays Community Football Fund which helps to reduce inequalities in football, and at Brynmawr Rugby Club, with VIY National Partner, Toolstation supported by other local partners including Blaenau Gwent Council, with materials donated by
VIY’s Trade Partners including Travis Perkins and Dulux.

If you know or work with young people aged 14-24, those not in employment, education or training, or at risk of disengagement, who would benefit from these free work experience opportunities with VIY in Cardiff and Ebbw Vale in Wales, please contact the team at outreach@teamviy.com.