Key to Life Foodbank was thrilled to complete an exciting partnership project with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), a national community interest company that helps young people gain trade and employability skills while improving local spaces.
At the end of November, VIY volunteers – art and construction students from South Tyneside College – wrapped up a full programme of improvements at the foodbank. Their work included decorating, creating vibrant new wall murals led by local artist Neil Gibbins, building sturdy new shelving, and transforming the kitchen, fresh/freezer room and back-door area, both inside and out. The project has made the working environment brighter, cleaner, more welcoming and far more efficient for the staff, volunteers and clients who rely on it every day.
“This was such a fantastic opportunity,” said Jo Benham Brown, Business Development and Communities Manager at Key Community. “Our building had been very well-used and was in real need of some care and attention. This project not only improved our space but also gave local young people the chance to learn valuable skills and gain a City & Guilds qualification.”
Shaid Nazir, Project Manager (North) at Volunteer It Yourself, added:
“We were delighted to work with Key to Life on this project. It provided young people in South Tyneside with hands-on experience, teamwork skills and the chance to see the real impact they could make in their community. Everyone involved came away with something tangible, both for their CVs and for the community itself.”
Volunteering with VIY offers young people free work experience on projects where vital community spaces in need of improvement are renovated. Participants worked alongside professional tradespeople, developing practical skills as a team and gaining
City & Guilds Entry Level 3 accreditation in areas such carpentry, painting and decorating, health and safety, tiling and brickwork.
The programme supports young people aged 14–24 who are NEET (not in education, employment or training), or deemed at risk of becoming so, including young people with special educational needs and/or a disability. Around ten local young people, including Jason, a young foodbank volunteer, took part, gaining hands-on experience, practical skills, and recognised qualifications.
Work began on 17 November and continued for two weeks, with the foodbank remaining open Monday to Friday, so clients could continue to access support as normal. “It was a little different for a couple of weeks,” said Ms Benham Brown, “but it was so worth it when we saw the amazing results!”
The newly upgraded facilities have made a real difference to how food and supplies are stored and distributed, while the murals have brought life and a renewed sense of community to the space.
For more information about VIY: https://volunteerityourself.org/