Help support Shed spaces

GROUPS across Halton are being encouraged to apply for a share of funding to help support the Sheds group.

Older people’s charity Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) run the Sheds Grant Fund to provide small scale funding to Sheds whhich is looking for help with either set up or next stage development costs.

The facilities are designed to allow residents to come together and take part in practical skills and activities.

They are designed and run by their members and provide opportunities for people to share tools, resources and skills in order to create, learn and develop social networks.

A Men’s Shed opened at Halton Haven Hospice in 2014.

It helps men who may be looking after or caring for someone with a life limiting illness or those who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one.

It contains tools and workbenches, computers and a kitchen, which was donated and paid for by one of the men who attends for those who want to learn to cook.

Grants of between £250 and £1,000 are available and must be submitted by Sunday, March 5.

RVS sheds project manager Jo Phillips said: “Each Shed is unique due to its location and the activities that the members want to undertake in the space.

“Whether it is for woodworking, gardening, model making, weaving or electronics, we are delighted to be able to give a helping hand to local communities who want to get a community based shed up and running.”

The UK Shed movement follows a blueprint from an Australian project and since the first Men’s Shed opened in the UK since years ago, there are now nearly 400 across the UK opening their doors.

Many sheds are created to enable older men to come together and work on either individual or collective projects.

The movement is increasingly experiencing younger men and women becoming involved and benefitting from the social interaction and practical skill sharing that are at their heart.

The funding is provided by the Asda Foundation.

Manager Julie Ward said: “The Asda Foundation is one of the many ways we can give something back to our local communities.

“That’s why we lend a hand to a wide range of good causes with which our colleagues are involved with, sharing their passion and helping to make a difference through a variety of projects across the UK.”

For more information, an application form and guidance notes visit http://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/sheds