HOPING to bring the men of Holsworthy together for conversation and a cup of tea, two locals have set up their own ‘Men’s Shed’ in the town.

This is not a new idea, there are many Men’s Sheds to be found all around the country.

However, John Allen, a local councillor and retired businessman, and Tim Stokes, an outreach worker for the Methodist church, thought it was about time one of these groups came to Holsworthy.

With the co-operation of the Holsworthy Community College, premises have been found at the old Skills Centre next to the ambulance station in Well Park.

The shape and direction of the new Holsworthy Men’s Shed will be determined by the men that attend it, but typically these groups focus on projects such as woodworking, metal working, repairing and restoring of discarded pieces of furniture and electrical items, or any other project members determine they can undertake.

The group will also aim to provide a place for men to meet new friends and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.

Mr Allen said: “Men’s Sheds typically attract older men, but it is not to say younger men cannot participate. The essence of a shed is connections and relationships between members.

“Research shows the negative impact that loneliness and isolation can have on a person’s health and wellbeing.

“For some men when retirement comes it can feel like their personal identity and purpose is lost, and find it difficult to build social connections. Men’s Sheds can change this.

“The sheds are about meeting likeminded people and having someone to share skills with, finding that sense of purpose, reducing the feeling of loneliness and isolation.”

One of the objectives of a Men’s Shed will be to bring together the local community and build confidence in what can be achieved by working together.

For the group to proceed they will need tools and machinery and have asked for the public’s help.

Mr Allen said: “We still need any tools and machinery that might be lying around at home unused for the workshop, please help us if you can.”

To help boost numbers the Men’s Shed team will be holding a coffee morning today (Thursday) at their new premises in Well Park between 10am and 2pm.

Anyone interested in this project are invited to come along and have a chat.

If anyone thinks they may have something useful for this project or just want to find out more, contact Mr Allen on 01409 253663 or Mr Stokes on 07960 449188 or email [email protected]

l THE Royal Voluntary Service wants local community groups to discover their inner ‘Shedder’ by applying for the latest round of the ‘Sheds Grant Fund’.

The fund will support the set-up of community ‘Shed’ spaces as well as already established Shed projects, like the one in Holsworthy.

Royal Voluntary Service partnered with the UK Men’s Sheds Association in 2015 to jointly support the development of Sheds across the UK as a way of tackling social isolation in older men.

Now in its third year, the Sheds Grant Fund provides sums from £250 to £1,000 to people who are either interested in starting their own community shed or want help with running costs for existing projects.

While also open to women and men of all ages, the sheds movement is mainly aimed at tackling social isolation in older men and all groups are required to be part of, or join as a condition of funding, the UK Men’s Shed Association when applying for the grant.

Abigail Hurrell, sheds project manager at Royal Voluntary Service, said: “At Royal Voluntary Service we see sheds as an ideal way for older people to stay active in their local community as well as having a go at learning new skills.

“There’s a secret ‘Shedder’ in all of us and most people have a DIY project around the house that they haven’t got round to. Sheds provide an opportunity for people to get advice on all of those tricky jobs and build their confidence.”

To find out more about the Sheds Grant Fund visit the website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/sheds