Age UK Redditch is launching a “Men In Sheds” group in the town.  We have the men, we just need the “Shed”. 

The Men in Sheds concept was created in Australia in the late 1990’s to tackle social isolation and improve health and well-being in older men. 

It aims to provide a supportive and friendly setting where men can socialise, learn new and hone existing skills by working alongside each other on community projects.  Similar groups have been very beneficial to men in later life where there can be issues arising from social isolation due to retirement or redundancy after an active working life.

The group will also have access to information about health and welfare and it is hoped that they can take on small projects such as furniture restoration which, when sold in the soon to be opened Age UK Redditch shop, can help finance their activities.

Age UK Redditch volunteer, retired fire-fighter Roland Duke, has been the power house behind getting the project off the ground and has received a lot of interest from Redditch men who are interested in joining the group but is now on the look out for a suitable venue.  It doesn’t need to be an actual shed, any venue that is big enough, available during mornings or afternoons during the working week, ideally have good access via public transport and have storage space for tools. 

If you know of a suitable venue within Redditch, are a man who’s interested in the joining this group or a wife who would like to sign your husband up, please contact Age UK Redditch on 01527 584653 or email us at info@ageukredditch.org.uk