A MAN from Okehampton is appealing to town organisations and individuals interested in helping to set up a 'Men's Shed' in the town.

Norm Bridgewater is making the appeal to set up a men's shed, a concept which originated in Australia in the 1990s.

The general idea of a men's shed is to give men, particularly older and retired men, a place to take part in practical activities, share their skills and socialise with people of a similar age to them.

Mr Bridgewater said: 'There is a popular idea around the world that most communities would benefit from having local men's sheds. The principle behind the men's shed is to provide a space where retired men with time on their hands can share skills and ideas to benefit themselves, their health and wellbeing, and others in the community.'

There are now more than 900 sheds in Australia, with others in New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Britain and Ireland. The shed concept was first realised in England by Age Concern Cheshire at Hartford in 2009, around the same time as the first shed in Ireland. There are now more than 50 sheds open in the UK, with many others being planned. 

They vary from full-time projects with paid staff and occupying industrial premises to groups meeting in village halls and community centres for only a few hours a week.

Age UK Exeter runs a Men in Sheds group, with the objective of refurbishing and renovating tools and garden equipment to make them workable. These tools are then donated to charities and organisations both in the UK and Africa, or to be sold to local people to raise money for Age UK Exeter.

The project costs just over £10,000 a year due to rental, staffing and utility costs.

If you are interested in helping Norm set up a men's shed in Okehampton, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01837 55957.