We Love To Build!

When Inspired Sisters (an educational non profit organisation that works with mainly BME community) found themselves needing more space, they rented an empty unit next door, and called in two Construction Projects that train people in the Community.

One of the Construction Projects, run by the Wai Yin Chinese Women Societyencourages people, particularly women and ethnic minorities to learn construction through Volunteer projects, and has recently won the Excellence award from the European Social Fund for its work with both volunteers, training and work placement scheme with New Charter Building Company.

Brighter Futures, (a construction project based in Salford that works with local young people and everyone!),  were also very willing to offer their trainees who wanted to volunteer. Together the volunteers working with their trainers have converted the unit into two large rooms which will become the crèche and a classroom, and also created a small interview room. The structure has been completed in just 8 days, giving the volunteers the opportunity to learn how to build stud walls, insert door linings, and electrical fittings, and also hang doors. Next week they will be learning papering and decorating, and also encouraging other people to get skilled in construction.

Fajer the Director of Inspired Sisters said ' It is wonderful to see so many people joining together from different backgrounds to help us make our centre bigger. They have built this space with such love and enthusiasm, it will be a very special space to be in'.

Sheila for the Wai Yin who manages the Project said 'Manchester is famous for its Volunteering Culture. If you add to this people's enthusiasm to learn building skills and get into construction then you have a powerful force. This is our community, it is diverse and precious, we are helping to build it up.'

Simon is a volunteer trainer, and a skilled joiner from Brighter Futures. 'This is an opportunity to pass on my skills to people who are so enthusiastic to learn, I have really enjoyed myself, and think that volunteering is a great way to learn.'
 
Tom McManus of Brighter Futures Said ' working with the WAI YIN and Inspired Sisters has been a fantastic experience for everyone involved in our 'Girls Allowed Programme' we will continue to develop the programme and work every closely with our partner organisations to help as many people as possible.
 
One of the women from Brighter Futures said, 'I really enjoyed doing this project, I have had an incite into the different area's of construction whilst I have been here. The tutors are easy to get on with, explained tasks so that we understood them, there's no issue with making mistakes we just have to put them right, we all learn from our mistakes and that is what is so good about this course. We have all enjoyed it and had a laugh, it's been brilliant. Thank you so much.'

 
Everyone is proud of their individual contribution, even Fajer, who touches her bit of wall each time she comes in.
 
opportunity for photographs and you can interview the volunteers.
 
Inspired Sisters
Contact Fajer
Unit 7
Longsight Business Park
Hamilton Rd
Longsight
 
M13 OPD
 
Brighter Futures
contact Tom McManus



Phone: (0161) 737 4790
E-mail: mcmanusassociation@live.co.uk
Business Address:
Brighter Futures 
Cumberland House                              
Lissadel Street
Salford
M6 6GG


Wai Yin Chinese Women Society
Sheila Standard
Education Training and Employment Services (ETE) Co-ordinator
Wai Yin Chinese Women Society
61 Mosley Street
Manchester M2 3HZ
Headquarters Telephone: 0161 237 5908
Mobile: 07879027858
www.waiyin.org.uk

Sheila Standard
Education Training and Employment Services (ETE) Co-ordinator
Wai Yin Chinese Women Society
61 Mosley Street
Manchester M2 3HZ
Headquarters Telephone: 0161 237 5908
Mobile: 07879027858
www.waiyin.org.uk