Discover the DIY skills that will make all the difference to your family, from TV carpenter Robert Bent and HIPPO

As much as we all like to think we can tackle any problem that might arise in the home, it seems that a lot of us are missing many basic DIY skills.

In a recent study from waste removal experts HIPPO it was discovered that more than half (58%) of Brits aged 24 and under believe their generation is losing the skill of DIY.

Creating a DIY legacy

Historically, these DIY skills were passed down from generation to generation, but almost 2 in 5 (38%) of adults aged 18 – 24 admitted to having at least two DIY jobs that they’re relying on their parents to do for them. So HIPPO has teamed up with TV carpenter and father of four, Robert Bent, to help encourage younger generations to learn DIY and for the older members of the family to create their own legacy of skills to pass on.

‘We’re very lucky to be surrounded by books and online resources that provide us with a steady stream of DIY guidance, but nothing quite beats sharing DIY skills face-to-face with family and friends,’ says Robert.

‘In my own family, we’ve been sharing tips for many generations and I’ve loved passing the DIY tricks and hacks I’ve learned from my parents and grandparents to my own children. It’s important that we carve out time to create our own DIY legacies, not only to support the generation below us, but to learn from them too.’

The skill gaps - revealed

So what are these jobs that the younger generations haven’t mastered? Well, by the age of 30, 77% of Brits can’t put up a garden fence, 63% don’t know how to wallpaper a room and 60% are unable to bleed a radiator. Even putting together flatpack furniture is beyond their knowledge, with 59% not equipped to do so.

And it’s not just about lacking the information, it’s the confidence to try and attempt these tasks, too, as over a fifth of Brits admit to feeling anxious about tackling a DIY project without support. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to build up these skills, and HIPPO and Robert are here to help.

Easy expert DIY tips

The TV carpenter and tradesman has created a hub of his top tips to help younger people feel comfortable with getting into DIY and tackling basic tasks. On the HIPPO site, he explains how to unblock a sink, as he was taught by his father. He also talks through how to upcycle a chest of drawers, as upcycling has become something his own children are keen on. Then there’s achieving the ‘make do and mend’ mentality that is ‘key to a sustainable future and furthering the DIY skills of future generations’.

‘There’s something really special about putting up a shelf just how our mum taught us or using a hammer passed down by our grandad,’ says Gareth Lloyd-Jones, managing director of HIPPO. ‘Sadly, as our research shows, it seems this tradition is dying out, so we’re calling on families to spend a little more time together to create their very own DIY legacies.’

‘Hearing Robert’s stories of DIY through the ages is a fantastic inspiration, particularly from someone so committed to the sharing and learning of new skills,’ continues Gareth. ‘We hope more families and friends are inspired to learn from one another and strengthen their DIY legacy.’

Be prepared with HIPPO

For those looking to put their newly learned DIY skills to the test, HIPPO’s waste removal service offers a convenient and environmentally-friendly clear-up option.

These clever skip bags are available in three handy flat-packed sizes - so they don’t take up valuable room outside your home until you need to use them – and can be filled with home and garden waste, ready for kerb-side collection with 95% of collected waste going on to be recycled. Order online or find a stockist near you.