In April last year we reported about Age Concern Banstead’s plan to start a Men’s Shed in Banstead.
A Men’s Shed is typically a larger version of the typical man’s shed in the garden – a place where he feels at home and pursues practical interests with a high degree of autonomy. A Men’s Shed offers a place, the tools, and the resources for members to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace and in a safe, friendly, and inclusive venue.
An existing Men’s Shed in Kew
The Men’s Sheds movement began in Australia when men realised the value of coming together around practical tasks on a regular basis. This appeals to men both living alone or with partners of all ages although the vast majority of ‘shedders,’ as they are called in Australia, are at or beyond retirement date.
There are now more than 500 Men’s Sheds in the UK, 950 in Australia and 200 in Ireland as well as others across Europe and North America.
After several years of hard work by Nick Pulsford. Chairman of Banstead Age Concern (BAC), the project to launch a Men’s Shed behind the Banstead Centre in Banstead is nearly there. The delay had been caused by problems finalising a lease on the land, but this seems to be resolved and funding for the project is in place. Nick hopes that work will start on the site later this month or in August with a targeted opening date of December / January 2024.
Nick Pulsford, Age Concern Banstead’s Chairman, at the site of Banstead’s Men’s Shed
behind The Banstead Centre at the Horseshoe
The centre piece will be a 6 x 5 m fully equipped woodworking workshop designed to accommodate 10 “shedders” at a time. Tools and materials have already been obtained. Although initially concentrating on woodworking it is planned to expand to other activities subject to demand.
BAC is now recruiting its first “shedders” and is looking for a volunteer supervisor to manage the shed. Full training will be provided including First Aid training and a DBS certificate will be needed. They are also looking for people with particular woodworking skills who can provide training to the “shedders” and for any unused tools and timber that can be donated to the Shed.
Anyone interested should get in touch with BAC by email at shed@ageconcernbanstead.org.uk
To keep in touch with the project visit: www.ageconcernbanstead.org.uk/mens-shed