TOOLSTATION, one of Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, has completed its latest tie-up with the Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) social enterprise, helping fund the re-purposing of vacant units in Redditch town centre into a youth hub.
Wise Youth Centre, based at The Canopies, Redditch (B97 4HN), officially opened its doors on Monday, August 15 with local MP Rachel Maclean and Council Leader Matt Dormer in attendance.
The renovation project was delivered in partnership with youth services provider Young Solutions and North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership supported by 17 volunteers from local youth organisations including YMCA Redditch, Bromsgrove District Council and UP Foundation.
Volunteers were challenged with converting two existing units into one, for young members of the community to make their own.
The youth hub will also feature a kitchen area for young people to learn cookery and provide free meals to people participating in sporting activities.
By completing the construction project, 12 Entry Level 3 City & Guilds Accreditations were awarded in carpentry, health and safety and painting and decorating.
The City & Guilds accreditations, skills training, and mentoring of the volunteers were funded by Toolstation, with match-funding from Sport England and materials donated from the local branches of Travis Perkins and a Benchmarx kitchen.
Mrs Maclean said: “It was a real honour to attend the opening of the new Wise Youth and Community Centre.
“I had the opportunity to speak to those involved in making this a reality and it clearly was a passion project for everyone who made this possible. Thank you to you all.
“There are two people I particularly want to acknowledge, Loretta and Luke. They are Enhanced Youth Support Workers who co-ordinated the refit and launch of the new centre. They both spoke with such passion at the opening of WISE. It was inspiring to listen to the positive impact this project has had on the young people involved.”
