FOLLOWING consultations with residents, one Housing Association is tailoring training and learning solutions to suit residents’ specific needs and requirements and as a result of resident requests has piloted its first course - a Ladies DIY course, run by ladies, for ladies. Sixteen residents joined Yarlington Housing Group staff at their Armoury Road building where they learnt, and had the opportunity to practice a range of DIY skills from using a drill to fit wall plugs, to wiring a plug, wall papering, painting and tiling or changing a toilet seat.

Karen Davy, communities manager at Yarlington, said: "We wanted to offer residents some basic training courses, but equally wanted these to be something that would attract and be useful to them, so we asked residents what they would like to see and what would interest them.

"Our female residents told us they wanted to be able to ask those basic DIY questions in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and not feel a fool doing so; that was where the Ladies DIY course came from."

Resident Kerry Wood who took part in the day added: "It’s been fun and educational - I’m looking forward to wallpapering at home now!"

"It was very informative. I didn’t feel silly asking lots of questions and it was great to learn about all those finishing touches which really make a difference," added Yarlington resident Alison Doughty.

Yarlington’s partnering organisation Buildbase kindly supported the Ladies DIY day and provided materials and tools for the course.

All attendees went home with a Dulux goody bag and two lucky residents won a DIY manual.

Karen Davy said: "It was an excellent day and great to see people getting involved, building friendships and sharing experiences.

"As a result residents are taking away valuable skills which they will be able to apply to their everyday life.

"We will definitely be holding more resident led courses in the future whereby our residents take the lead in expressing the training they want to see – I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next!"