Youth volunteering scheme given Big Society Award (From Streatham Guardian)

Youth volunteering scheme given Big Society Award

2:10pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in News

A volunteering scheme set up to help unemployed and disadvantaged youths has been presented with a Big Society Award.

The Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) project was a partnership project between Pimlico Plumbers, Wickes, training organisation A4e and the Co-Sponsorship Agency.

Designed to provide training opportunities to disadvantaged 16 to 25 years old, more than 40 young people have helped to replace Streatham Youth Centre's roof, undertake plumbing work in the centre's toilets facilities and service and repair the central heating system through the scheme.

All of the work was done under the mentoring and supervision of Pimlico Plumbers engineers and trades people.

The Big Society Award follows the VIY project winning Best Community Involvement in a Sponsorship Activity’, ‘Best Collaborative Approach’ and 'Best Project' at the Corporate Engagement Awards.

Congratulating VIY on their award, Prime Minster David Cameron said: "This is a fantastic example of a Big Society approach where young people learn building and trade skills while at the same time providing vital repair work and improvements to their local community centres.

"It is also a great example of businesses of all sizes working together to come up with a solution that has a lasting effect for everyone involved."

Charlie Mullins, Managing Director of Pimlico Plumbers said: "We are very proud to receive such a wonderful endorsement from the Prime Minster.

"The project has made a real difference to the lives of the young people who took part as well as dramatically improving the youth centre. Everyone involved should be really proud of what we have achieved."