APPEAL FOR ‘SHEDDERS’ AS RENEW MEN’S SHED OPENS ITS DOORS

The Swindon Renew Men’s Shed project is seeking ‘shedders’ who want to come along and take part in activities when it opens up again on May 11th.

Renew is an organisation which has been highly successful in the town over the last three years and is part of the UK Men’s Shed Association, which has 600 projects across the UK.

The aim is to help men and women with their mental well-being by providing welcoming, supportive social spaces for them to pursue practical activities. make friends, reduce isolation and feel valued. 

Kevin Prosser runs the Swindon group. 

He said: “Like many organisations, the pandemic stopped all of our sessions and we focussed instead in providing food parcels in conjunction with Swindon Night Shelter and selling the award-winning Frenchic Furniture paint which helps us with the finance to keep going. It’s taken a while to plan and prepare a safe return to work. There will be some changes to what we do, however I’m proud to say we are almost ready to go”.

One of the changes will be that the ‘shedders’ will be helping other community groups across the town, by creating new furniture or upcycling existing pieces. This month ‘shedders’ will be working on a beehive, a bench and a number of woodwork and upcycling projects for Swindon Hub, who are planning a new creative and community hub in the town centre. 

“As well as learning a new skill or someone sharing a skill with others, working on project for the community or doing a commission for an individual can help those we serve gain a renewed sense of purpose and belonging,” explained Kevin. 

The project will be open again from Tuesday May 11 at its premises at Chippenham Close Community Centre, in Chippenham Close, Penhill with men’s woodwork sessions on a Tuesday morning and upholstery sessions on a Thursday morning led by professional upholsterer, Erica Sawdon who donates half a day a week to the project. The upholstery session is open to male and female ‘shedders’.

This month there will also be the opportunity of some one-off upcycling and woodwork workshops for the general public on a Saturday so that everyone can get involved in helping with the community projects whilst learning or sharing a skill at the same time.

In the next few months, the plan will be to offer a ladies’ craft club, sewing and art workshops as well as Christians Against Poverty Life Skills and Fresh Start courses.

Anyone interested in becoming a ‘shedder’ or attend one of their Saturday workshops must book in advance due to Covid19 restrictions. To find out more visit their Facebook page Renewswindon or call Kevin Prosser on 07540 726432. 

*Image shows preparation for new sessions to start again for ‘shedders’ this week. Picture taken by Neil Moore of Moore Photographics. 

Check them out via their Facebook: Renewswindon or Website: www.renewswindon