Launched in April 2013, the Build-It programme was co-created by London Youth and social innovation agency Cospa. Benefitting 1,500 young people in south London over an initial two-year period, the Build-it programme gives young people the chance to learn trade and building skills and access employment opportunities by working on the regeneration of social housing and empty homes within their local communities. Build-It is supported by two key corporate partners, building contractors Keepmoat and Mears, along with other cross-sector organisations. The programme ensured each of the partner’s met their own individual objectives. Ranging from improved housing stock for Lambeth council to improving the skills of work ready young people in apprenticeships and the career development of young people. Each objective was useful for the local community and taught key skills to disadvantaged young people. Tim Reading, director of Cospa and one of its partners will join us to tell their compelling story about bringing together the local community and corporate partners to get young people learning how to build and use their skills to regenerate social housing.

1. YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOPING THEIR SKILLS AND
EMPLOYABILITY BY RENEWING AND RESTORING
EMPTY HOMES AND SOCIAL HOUSING

2. TIM READING, DIRECTOR, COSPA:
DEVELOPING AND MANAGING THE CROSS-SECTOR
PARTNERSHIPS BEHIND THE PROJECT

3. In collaboration with …

5. Triple win:
• Young people learning skills
and getting jobs
• Communities brought
together to become more
strongly involved in local
regeneration, volunteering
and social action
• Social housing stock in
disadvantaged communities
improved and returned to
use

6. Over two years (2013-15):
• 690 young people (aged 16-
25, NEET) participating and
achieving City & Guilds
qualification
• 31% progressing to
employment and 25% to
further training and
education opportunities
• Social housing renovated
and improved at 40 sites
across Lambeth

7. Keepmoat & Mears
Housing associations
Lambeth Council
Lambeth College
London Youth
Staff, materials, apprenticeships
Non-decent housing stock
Empty/derelict homes
Tutors/assessors, training pathways
Hard-to-reach young people

8. Keepmoat & Mears
Lambeth Council
Lambeth College
London Youth
Work ready young people
Residents engaged & benefitting
Empty homes returned to use
Hard-to-reach young people
Training/employment opportunities
Housing associations

9. Aim was to create a proven delivery model that
could be shared and rolled out in collaboration
with cross-sector sector partners in other regions
across the UK

10. TIM READING
Director, Cospa
T: 07725 335907
E: tim@teamcospa.com
CONTACT: