04.03.10
B&Q show the WI how to DIY
Today (Monday, 1st March) B&Q held its first DIY class for WI (Women’s
Institute) members at the institute’s educational centre and college,
Denman College, in Oxfordshire to help teach members DIY basics from how
to handle a power tool to fixing a leaking tap.
The class saw 75 members learn new skills in the specially designed DIY master class which was run by B&Q experts. The WI members who attended the class will be giving feedback on the training and content in order to ensure that the classes can be tailored to suit the audience and further classes can be planned. If successful B&Q hopes to run future classes specifically tailored to women DIY novices during 2010.
Research shows that 60 per cent of Brits have unfinished jobs at home and the things that stop those jobs being finished are lack of time, cost and knowledge. The aim of B&Q’s classes is to improve the practical skills of the nation and give them the confidence to tackle those unfinished jobs, and make a start on new projects.
During today’s class WI members could choose two of basic DIY skills
to experience:
• Plumbing – practical steps on how to fix a leaky tap and the
tools and materials needed to do so
• Joinery – step by step instructions on how to put up shelves
and how to use the most popular power tools such as a drill, and hand tools
such as hammers
• Tiling – instructions on how to measure, cut and apply tiles
to create a custom splashback
• Decorating – the basics of home decoration such as painting
and wallpapering and the correct use of brushes, rollers and other equipment
WI member, Marilyn Ordish, said; "xxx"
WI member xxx also agreed saying “xxxx
Jacqueline Caston at B&Q said; “Women today need a whole gamut of skills and are as likely to need to be able to wield a power drill with knowledge as a wooden spoon.
“Women of all ages from early twenties to late seventies donned aprons picked up tools and will be DIYing more than ever. The women who joined us in today have left with some new skills and we hope that they’ll feel empowered to try some new jobs at home rather than calling in help from their husband, friend or tradesmen."
Last year B&Q launched the DIY classes programme, with a trial in the North West of England, in an effort to get more people doing DIY jobs around the home. Over the last few years B&Q has taken steps to make stores more female friendly, extending its decorative offerings and has seen an increase in female customers.
The retailer will also be holding a Women’s Institute DIY class on Wednesday 4th March in Stratford, London, for the WI members of Goldsmith College. This session will cover practical side of DIY and the more personal side of home improvement for the WI’s younger generation.
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