“Building People – Building Skills”

What we do:

We seek to bring hope by reaching and supporting vulnerable young adults, focusing on construction skills training, help in gaining employment and life skills development.

Our primary focus is on disadvantaged young people who are NEET, aged between 16 – 25 yrs living in and around Birmingham and Solihull. B4H is focused on candidates who generally have few academic qualifications and low self esteem. We start with one to one coaching then work towards Level 1 CSkills NVQ in carpentry and joinery. Along the journey, students will have passed H&S training and received their CSCS card and so become “construction site ready”.

Our Approach:

‘There is such a need out there. Young people’s lives are being ruined as we speak but Building 4 Hope is working, lives are being transformed and it’s an incredible privilege to be part of it’ 

Kevin Byrne – AMCIPD, MinstLM

Kevin Byrne

Kevin Byrne is Project Manager and founder.

Starting out as an apprentice carpenter and joiner, Kevin has over 30 years practical knowledge in the construction and trade industry, alongside a wealth of experience in providing both private and public construction training, including overseeing large scale apprenticeship schemes and the creation of dedicated training centres.

Above and beyond this, Kevin has a real heart for the young people he works with and is passionate about seeing lives changed.

Our experience is that conventional training courses at local colleges tend not to be fit for purpose for young people who have very few academic qualifications or who have very low self esteem. The class sizes and teaching format often don’t address some of their underlying issues.

We have identified that the two most important things many disadvantaged young adults who are NEET need are:

  1. Positive relationships with role models who were committed to their long-term health and wellbeing, who can advise, mentor and challenge; and
  2. Qualifications and skills that allow them to find and secure employment.

How you can help:

Building People. Building Skills:

You can play a crucial part in restoring self respect through a job well done by:

You can help them go from zero qualifications and no job prospects to being ready for a fulfilling career in construction.

Safeguarding

Building4Hope commits to:

  • ensure that DBS checks are carried out for teachers and mentors.
  • take part in  relevant and adequate in-house Safeguarding Training on a regular basis.
  • endorse and follow all national and local Safeguarding legislation and procedures.
  • support the Safeguarding Co-ordinator in any action they may need to take to protect children and vulnerable adults.
  • share any concerns about the welfare of any child/young person with the Safeguarding Co-ordinator.
  • review its policy on a regular basis.

Background

We know through government research that the issues that affect young people who become NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) cost over £65,000 each in direct lifetime costs to public finances. There is also a strong correlation between unemployment and negative/harmful outcomes to individuals and communities e.g. drugs and alcohol misuse, crime and anti-social behaviour and mental health related illnesses.

B4H was registered with the Charities Commission on 7 March 2017.

B4H Trustees:

Stephen Cox
Stephen CoxTreasurer
BSc(Hons), PGCE, a former Head of dept. with over 28 years of teaching background. Acting B4H’s Safeguarding Co-ordinator with extensive experience including establishing and operating procedures in accordance with CCPAS guidelines. Stephen sees the work of B4H as invaluable and greatly needed.
Timothy Coleman
Timothy ColemanTrustee
Worked with a large range of charitable organisations delivering communications content and strategy. Loves the work of B4H and seeing the impact it has on young lives.
Lianne Benson
Lianne BensonAdministrator
Lianne is a qualified Social Worker, Fostering Assessor, previous Family and Intervention worker, prison outreach Leader and Youth Worker. Masters in Social work and BA Hons in Social and Community Studies.
Julia Coleman
Julia ColemanTrustee
A State Registered Nurse (SRN) who has experience working with vulnerable adults, as well as being a mother and grandmother. Julia is a mentor and trained advisor with a charity working with those who are struggling with life issues they face.
Gloria Beckett
Gloria BeckettTrustee
Masters in Public Health, Lead Health Protection Nurse, Winner of the Infection and Control Nurse of the Year Award 2021/22 Prevention Public Health Department. Gloria has a heart and passion to support all people to reach their potential. Gloria understands the difficulties and barriers that prevent young people from achieving their potential. Gloria finds the ethos and aims of the charity very close to her heart. She is very excited to join the team; bringing Hope and transforming lives.

For more information about how you can work with us to transform lives, then please contact:

kevin.byrne@building4hope.org.uk

Funding

All donations very welcome – however big or small.

Your donation will support Building4Hope’s work to equip and transform a young persons life.

Thank You for your support.

For more information about how you can work with us to transform lives, then please contact:

kevin.byrne@building4hope.org.uk

Heart of England Community Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation
Norton Foundation