A COMMUNITY group in Okehampton is celebrating today after receiving funding for their shed space from the Asda Foundation.

A total of £1,000 has been awarded to Okehampton Men In Sheds, a group where men, generally retired, come together to take part in practical skills and activities. The activities 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.

Royal Voluntary Service, with funding from the Asda Foundation, established the Sheds Grant Fund in 2015 to provide small scale funding to sheds who are looking for help with either set up, or early stage development costs.

Grants of between £250 and £1,000 were made available – with applicants encouraged to apply for some of the tools and equipment they need for their activities or ongoing costs such as help with their rent or insurance.

Terry Kempster from Okehampton Men in Sheds said: ‘Okehampton Men in Sheds have funded and nearly completed the construction of the shed and are now looking to equip it and connect it to mains electricity.

‘Our main focus will be working with older men in particular to combat loneliness, isolation and depression. Our trustees are all local people with extensive knowledge of the local community. The project has come about in response to a high level of demand from local agencies which have seen the success of similar projects elsewhere and recognise the need for one in our area.’

Abigail Hurrell, sheds project manager at Royal Voluntary Service said: ‘Most sheds are started by local groups coming together due to a shared interest in traditional crafts such as joinery, furniture renovation, metal work and mechanics.

‘We are delighted to be able to administer the grant funds so that these skills can flourish in a friendly and sociable environment, and that more local community based Sheds can get up and running.’

Annmarie Rocks, senior co-ordinator at the Asda Foundation 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.  We see the Sheds programme as making a real difference at a grassroots level and are proud to support this initiative.’

The Shed movement follows a blueprint from an Australian project and since the first Men’s Shed opened in the UK seven years ago, there are now over 300 in the UK with three new sheds on average opening a week. Sheds are often places for older men to come together and work on either individual or community projects – but are now increasingly seeing younger men and women getting involved and benefitting from the social interaction and skill sharing that are at their heart. 

Victoria Little, director of services for the UK Men’s Sheds Association: ‘We are thrilled that a further 19 sheds have been awarded funding through the Asda and Royal Voluntary Service grants scheme. Men’s sheds are making a real difference to their communities across the UK and this funding boost will go a long way in furthering that positive impact.

‘For some of these grant recipients it will be the catalyst they need to get their sheds up and running after months of development, and for others it will help to create safer and more sustainable sheds, enabling them to continue being enjoyed by many in the community for years to come.’

To find out more about Royal Voluntary Service and Asda Foundation Sheds Grant Fund please visit the website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/sheds and follow @rvssheds on Twitter for regular updates.