‘I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the Shed’
HULL GROUP FOR LONELY MEN
IT has been credited with keeping lonely men alive. Now, a Hull charity that brings isolated and older men together has won cash backing for its work.
Men In Sheds Hull was started in 2014 by Barry Cooper, a retired chef from Hull who had suffered from multiple strokes. The idea was to provide a place (the shed) for men to find company and a sense of purpose by getting involved in woodworking projects.
Nearly a decade on, the importance of the group was highlighted by one of the oldest members, aged 92, who said: “I wouldn’t be here [alive] if it wasn’t for the Shed.”
Now, the charity has been awarded a £5,000 grant towards its life-changing initiatives. The cash has been awarded by the John Good Group, a logistics and travel firm based in Hessle, after employees voted to support the cause.
Donna Jackson, a trustee of the Men In Sheds Hull, said: “We are so honoured to receive this funding and it’s really touching that so many of the John Good Group employees voted for us and made us this round’s winners. It will make such a difference to our members and volunteers.”
She added: “Our members are made up of people from all walks of life but with one thing in common, the Shed. Some members are recently bereaved, others retired, many with physical and mental health issues. After the pandemic and its affects, there is now huge demand in the city of people who have and still do feel isolated and vulnerable.”
Members of the group described how the Shed had helped one retail worker who joined at the age of 85 after losing his wife. He was described as being very quiet at first, but fellow members were soon “blown away” by the amazing intricate models he now creates, having picked up new woodworking and 3D printing skills from others at the Shed.
The £5,000 grant has been provided via the Matthew Good Foundation, which was created to support John Good Group employees in making a difference to good causes close to their hearts. Since 2011, the foundation has donated more than £450,000 to good causes in the UK and abroad. Matthew passed away in 2011 while running a marathon for charity.
Adam Walsh, CEO of the John Good Group, visited the Shed along with Michelle Taft, executive director of the Matthew Good Foundation, to take a first-hand look at the project.
Adam said: “Men can find themselves isolated and lonely very easily, especially when not in work. Whether that’s through retirement or other circumstances, it can be hard for men to find a purpose in life and the social connections that are vital to maintaining health, both mental and physical.
“Meeting the group that use the facility at Men in Sheds Hull, and seeing how it has given them the chance to create some brilliant pieces of work, while being able to openly discuss their stories with me, was so refreshing. I’m delighted we’ve been able to help with our grant.”
Via the foundation, the John Good Group grants around £60,000 annually to small community groups, charities or social enterprises that have a positive impact on people or the planet. The foundation’s mission is to amplify small charitable causes doing high-impact work that is often unseen and underfunded.
Founder Barry Cooper came up with the idea for the Shed after he saw a documentary on TV about a project called Men in Sheds in Australia. After struggling through the pandemic, the group bounced back, increased its services and employed a new manager. As well as selling the products they create, members of the group regularly help other community organisations in the city, a recent project seeing them build garden furniture for a local community garden.
The services of the Shed continue to be in very high demand. It is open four days a week and has 46 active members, with another 30 people on the waiting list to join. Equipment regularly becomes worn and needs to be replaced or serviced, and there are ongoing costs for supplies such as wood, glue, screws and other equipment.
Men In Sheds Hull also recently secured a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund that will help keep its doors open for the next three years. Further details about the group can be found on the Men in Sheds Facebook page.