Men’s Shed set for summer of DIY thanks to cash boost
DIY fans will be going hammer and tongs this summer thanks to a weighty funding boost.
Members of Barrhead Men’s Shed received a generous £500 donation from intu Braehead, which will able them to get stuck into some handy work.
The mall’s general manager, Gary Turnbull, met with folks at the Shed to award them the cash prize.
The money will be used by members of the group, known as ‘shedders’ to buy tools and timber for their summer project of building wooden benches, seats, planters, raised beds and bird boxes for gardens.
Barrhead Men’s Shed, based at an industrial unit in Robertson Street, was set up nearly four years ago.
It’s purpose is to give men and women over the age of 50 a place to meet and take part in creative, work and recreational activities.
Chairman Alex Storrie said the boost will help the charity to carry on its mission.
He explained: “We’re here to get men and women who are on their own out of the house and become active.
“There are people living in isolation, sitting at home, talking to the four walls or watching daytime telly, but we’ll give them a new purpose in life.
“We’ve got several craftsmen as members who will show the other men how to make things and we also teach computer skills, arts and crafts.”
The charity plays a vital role in meeting the social, health and wellbeing needs of its 35 members.
Alex said the Men’s Shed is more than just a place to transform pieces of timber into something useful, it’s a place where members can get help and always find someone willing to listen to their problems.
He added: “It’s a lifeline to some people and time spent in the Men’s Shed can be very therapeutic, as the guys have someone to talk to, or confide in.
“It’s also good for the people who are doing the listening.
“None if us are trained psychologists, but we can spot when someone needs a hand or someone to talk to.
“There was one of the shedders whose wife had died and he didn’t have any family or friends living close by.
“We knew his daughter was having an operation for cancer and I asked him how she was. He burst into tears and said he had never known so many people being kind to him.
“Those who come in here very shy are full of confidence and chat in no time.”
Community development manager for intu Braehead, Lydia Brown, said she was delighted to award the folks at the Men’s Shed with the cash.
She told: “The volunteers who run Barrhead Men’s Shed do a wonderful job encouraging men and women to take up a new interest, keep active and get a new lease of life.
“You can feel the fantastic atmosphere and camaraderie when you visit the Men’s Shed.”