Men in a south east London borough can learn new skills and make friends – thanks to new funding for a woodworking social group for older people.
Age UK Bexley has been awarded an £82,781 grant from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, for its Men In Sheds scheme.
Based at Christ Church, Erith, the project brings together older men who get to know each other while at work in the woodwork shop fashioning items such as children’s toys, garden equipment and ramps for disabled access.
The group also takes on commissions for work from local businesses and organisations, something which it is hoped will ultimately make the scheme self-financing.
City Bridge Trust Chairman Giles Shilson said: “Men In Sheds Bexley is a simple but very effective way of enabling older men to get together and make new friends while doing something constructive and rewarding.
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“They’ve produced some very high quality work and I would encourage businesses and organisations in the area to consider supporting this project if they are looking to have some woodwork done.”
The idea for Men In Sheds originated in Australia and there are now over 600 such schemes running across the UK.
As well as working together on woodwork projects, members of the Bexley group have also been busy transforming an area of waste ground at the church into an attractive outdoor space with a seating area and accessible raised beds.
Age UK Bexley Community Development Project Officer Emily Willey said: “The idea behind Men in Sheds is that members find it easier to build friendships and develop social connections by completing activities rather than just sitting in a room chatting.
“We have people from a wide variety of backgrounds and trades – we’ve even got an actor and a singer – and the activities are very much member-led so they decide the kind of things they want to make.
“The group provides crucial peer support and social contact as some members are single men living alone, carers or widowers. The project enables members to share their skills with each other and other organisations, which helps build confidence in our client group and provides valuable outreach services for the wider community.”
Anyone who would like to join the group, or to commission some work, is asked to contact Emily Willey by emailing [email protected] or calling 07780 655185.
More information is available online at www.meninshedsbexley.com
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