Toolstation, part of Travis Perkins, joined forces with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) to refurbish the interior of the Plumstead Common Working Men’s Club.
The club, which was established 116 years ago, serves the local community and regularly hosts darts tournaments for the London Youth National League.
The space, which was in need of repair and refurbishment, was renovated by 27 volunteers aged between 14 to 24 years old. According to a statement, the transformation will make the local institution more “attractive” to new and existing members.
The volunteers and VIY updated the youth darts arena and adults dart space. Other refurbishments included “transforming” the main entrance area, sanding the wooden flooring with a sander loaned and delivered through Toolstation’s new partnership with Travis Perkins Hire, which means that Toolstation customers can hire products through the counter at their local branch. The volunteers also repaired the damaged walls, doors and skirting boards ahead of them being painted.
The statement added that the initiative is helping more young people learn DIY skills and to consider a career in the construction and building industry, whilst renovating a space they may use and benefit from.
Toolstation has funded and helped the volunteers gain City & Guilds qualifications as part of its partnership with VIY. The project saw the volunteers come together from local youth referral partners including London South East College, Newhaven School and Shooter Hills College, and they spent a total of 10 days working on the project, with over 75% of all the young people being awarded an Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditation in Health & Safety and Painting & Decorating.
Rupert Nichols, customer and commercial director at Toolstation, said: “Luke Littler’s heroics at Alexandra Palace has inspired so many more young people to get behind the oche, so VIY and the volunteers have hit a 180 with the transformation of this club. The refurbishment will encourage the local community to spend more time at this iconic venue.
“At Toolstation, we believe that supporting communities involves creating positive change where it’s needed most. Partnering with VIY means we can help improve living conditions and share valuable skills with the young volunteers from the local area. We believe that this project will encourage young people to develop confidence and learn practical trade and building skills and to consider a career in the trade.”
Ed Sellwood, COO and co-founder at VIY, added: “We’re proud of our long-term partnership with Toolstation, helping to inspire and diversify the next generation of tradespeople, whilst helping to improve spaces that matter to communities that desperately need improvements. We look forward to continuing our great work together this year.”