Cash boost for loneliness group

ACOMMUNITY group which aims to reduce loneliness and isolation with practical activities such as woodwork has been given a £1,000 cash boost.

Stockport-based Heatons’ Men In Sheds was awarded the grant by the Royal Voluntary Service and Asda Foundation Sheds Grant Fund.

Sheds are community spaces designed and run by members, allowing them to share tools, resources and skills, in order to create, learn and develop social networks.

The first UK shed opened in 2011 and there are now 440 with 10,000 members, established predominantly as a place for older men to come together and work on individual or group projects. Now, however, more younger men are getting involved.

The fund was established in 2015 to provide small-scale funding to sheds, to help with early development costs.

Grants of £250 to £1,000 are available to support the purchase of tools and equipment or ongoing costs like rent or insurance.

Anthony Williams, from Heatons’ Men In Sheds, said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding.

“We’re setting up a wood workshop for members and the grant will allow us to fit a dust extraction system.

“Without it, those with respiratory problems would be excluded from activities.

“Heatons’ Men In Sheds helps reduce loneliness by creating a space where members can connect, chat and create.

“Once the workshop is complete, we’ll use it to give back to the community by building planters for green spaces, creating heritage signs etc.”

The next round of funding is open and applications close on June 24.

Offers will be issued to successful Sheds in July.

For more information, visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/sheds and follow @rvssheds on Twitter.