A major refurbishment project which was awarded £25,000 funding from us at the City & Guilds Foundation is nearing completion. The project has saw the transformation of an empty three-bedroom house into a safe, welcoming space where women on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) can spend quality time with their children. The initiative, delivered by Volunteer It Yourself in partnership with Wates Group, is around 85% complete and already demonstrating the value of combining rehabilitation with skills development.
Unique delivery model
What makes this project unique is how it is being delivered. The refurbishment of Spinney House near HMP Send in Woking is being carried out by a team of local young people aged 16 and over who are not in education, employment or training, or who face significant barriers to progression. Through hands-on involvement, they are gaining valuable trade skills, qualifications and confidence, helping to open up new pathways into work.
Su Pickerill, Head of Social Value at Wates adds, “’Working in partnership with VIY, we would like to support people that are furthest from the workforce to gain qualifications and experience during the refurbishment process to improve their confidence and employability opportunities.”
The vision is to create a safe and comfortable environment that supports women on ROTL to maintain strong relationships with their children during their sentence and as they prepare for release. For some families, these visits may be among the most important moments they share, particularly where children may be entering care or where contact has been limited. By providing a homely setting, the project aims to reduce stress for children and create positive, lasting memories during what can be a highly challenging time. In doing so, it also supports wider resettlement outcomes by strengthening family ties: an important factor in reducing reoffending and supporting long-term stability.
Significant progress has already been made on the refurbishment. The property, which had previously suffered fire and water damage, has been extensively upgraded. Completed works include the installation, plastering and painting of ceilings, finished bathroom tiling, a new loft hatch and substantial garden clearance and landscaping. The final phase of the project is now underway, with the kitchen installation around 75% complete and remaining joinery works in progress. External improvements, including new fencing and additional outdoor space enhancements, will help create a safe and relaxing environment for families to spend time together.
Commitment to social value
At the heart of the project is a strong commitment to skills development and social value. Fifteen young people referred from Surrey County Council, have taken part in the work, with 100% either currently not in education, employment or training or at risk of becoming so. Through their involvement, every participant has gained an Entry Level 3 qualification from City & Guilds, with some achieving multiple certifications including Health and Safety in the Workplace and trade-specific skills such as paint finishing.
Beyond formal qualifications, the impact on confidence and wellbeing has been significant: all participants reported increased confidence in future employment, improved understanding of employer expectations and a positive overall experience. 77% said that they’ve developed key soft skills including teamwork, communication and problem-solving, with the majority now considering a career in construction. Encouragingly, improvements have also been reported in physical health and wellbeing with 92% and 85% respectively reporting an improvement, highlighting the broader benefits of hands-on, purpose-led activity. This initiative reflects a collaborative approach to addressing multiple challenges at once whilst also showing the social impact of a targeted investment in skills, partnerships and community-led delivery.
