DIY SOS is calling upon trades and volunteers far and wide to help them with their latest transformation.
The project will be one of the Purple Shirts’ most ambitious to date, in only 11 days; the team will build a brand-new support centre for The Roots Foundation Wales, which supports children in care and leaving care, complete with short term accommodation for young people transitioning into adult life. Those who are able to donate time and skills, or supplies and materials are being urged to email DIYSOSCIN@bbc.co.uk before attending a Trades Day on Tuesday 15th August 2017 in Swansea.
The build will run from 6–17 September 2017 and will feature in a special edition of the programme in aid of BBC Children in Need, which supports The Roots Foundation Wales. The Trades Day, held in Swansea, will give volunteers and donors of supplies and materials the opportunity to take a look at the plans for the build, meet the team and see how they can get involved.
DIY SOS presenter, Nick Knowles, said: “We are so excited to be back in Wales to shine a light on the challenges faced by some of the UK’s children and young people in care and leaving care. We cannot wait to provide these youngsters with a modern new building and accommodation which will help them reach their full potential.
“We won’t be able to do this alone and building a new property from the ground up is no mean feat. We need hundreds of volunteers and tradespeople, from electricians and plumbers to carpenters and plasterers, not forgetting decorators and anyone else who can spare time, resource or materials, to please get in contact via diysoscin@bbc.co.uk and attend our Trades Day on the 15th August.”
Emma Lewis, Chairperson at The Roots Foundation Wales added: “The Roots Foundation Wales delivers support to children and young people in care and leaving care, offering advice and guidance on topics such as finance, cooking, health and employment whilst helping to prepare them for adult life. We also provide intensive support through initiatives such as our C.A.R.E Project which is funded by BBC Children in Need and delivers help to children and young people in care or leaving care who are at risk of exploitation.
“The children and young people we work with are vulnerable, often isolated and may lack a support network. We are so grateful for this opportunity and hope the local community, Wales and beyond come together to get involved, it really will make a difference.”
DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special (working title) will air this November during BBC Children in Need Appeal week.
