The Men’s Shed in Great Yeldham has been set up by volunteers with the support of the Parish Council and The Essex Shed Network.
Work has now started on our own Men’s Shed. Planning permission has been received for 3 containers to be converted into a ‘shed’. Which have been purchased and sited in a corner of the Sports and Recreation Ground, cut and joined together. The ‘shed’ has been refurbished inside with electrics, benches, as well as power tools and generator, using a grants from M.I.N.D (the Mental Health Charity), Essex Community Foundation, Essex Association of Local Council’s Microgrant, Braintree’s Councillor Grant, United Charities.
Fantastic News – the project has just been successful in securing a grant from Awards for All for £3,619 to purchase materials to clad and fire retard the outside of the ‘shed’ and install a canopy for the outside area.
The next stage of the project will be to seek funding to install an outside seating area with tables, transform the scrub-land opposite to a wildflower meadow.
The success of the programme will be down to the support of the local community. Everything we do will be funded by charitable grants and goodwill. Darkins, the hardware store in Sible Hedingham has provided paint and tools to tidy up the outside and waterproof the roof . This is a very generous offer of which we are very grateful.
We have a strong and active committee in place and work is moving along at a good pace. The committee is busy searching for grants and other sponsors but we would like to appeal to the local community for support too.
If you can help or support with any of the following, used or new, we would like to hear from you:
• Silent Diesel Generator
• Work benches and Work Mates
• Hand Tools – Pliers, Wrenches, hammers, saws, Vices, Clamps etc
• Power tools
• Nails, Screws, fixings
• Lighting
• Electrical sockets and cabling
• Ramps to aid Disabled access
• Anyone who can spare the time to join the conversion working party to Paint, cut and build
• A sign maker
• People and tools to clear the ground area around the shed.
We will advertise our sponsors, donors and helpers on social media where we can and also on a roll of honour within the shed once we are open Please join our group page on FB – https://www.facebook.com/groups/482066230422000 where you can follow our progress.
We look forward to opening our doors in the New Year to this exciting new community asset
If you would like to help in any way or if you would like to know more about this project, you can contact Mark Sutton, the Chairman at mark-d-sutton@live.co.uk
Background
The Men’s Sheds Association was originally set up as a meeting place for retired men. Research found that men’s social and support networks usually revolve around work and when they retire this network can change or vanish completely, leading to social isolation and loneliness. The Sheds are set up across the country for a variety of activities including model making, gardening, carpentry, bike refurbishment and woodwork. They help reduce loneliness and isolation but most importantly, they’re fun.
