You can work on your own project, just as you might in your own shed, but with the benefit of a group who might offer advice and help. Do you want to finish those shelves you started months ago? Or can you offer your skills and advice to someone else?
Having no previous woodworking, DIY or commercial skills is no bar to joining the shed. We are planning a series of workshops with a qualified instructors. Learn new skills and use them for projects around the centre's gardens or for the community.
Other skilled craftspeople will be coming
to give workshops, such as the art of spoon whittling and
carving.
Which workshops will run in the
future? The "shedders" can decide.
Get involved with 'Tools for Africa' - a charity that sends refurbished tools to craftspeople in Africa. Get real satisfaction from bringing old tools back to a shiny and sharp condition and a new lease of life.
This is how the Australian Men's Shed Association describe the need for Men's Sheds:
"There has been little encouragement for men to take an interest in their own health and well-being. Unlike women, most men are reluctant to talk about their emotions and that means that they usually don’t ask for help. Probably because of this many men are less healthy than women, they drink more, take more risks and they suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression...."
"Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and an active mind. Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed gives a man that safe and busy environment where he can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned friendship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for."
Read more on Men's Sheds.
→Work on a community project
→Help to make and repair items for the Gardens
→Learn to make picture frames, bird boxes, and other projects
→Join a woodworking class
→Refurbish tools for a charity sending tool kits to Africa
→Learn how to whittle spoons
→Repair electronic equipment for the community
→Restore furniture
→Or just pop in for a cup of tea and a chat!
→The re-vamped garage to the side of the Balsam Centre
→Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
→You will need to do a health and safety check before starting, and then you can join any of the classes or activities
Why Join?
All these help your mental wellbeing
Encourage them to come along. Speak to Nick or Annette, 01963 31842, to find out more or pick up a leaflet. It's free to join!
Men's Sheds Started in Australia