East Suffolk Council
Men’s Shed donation to enable wider community use of venue
A venue enabling men to congregate and connect is set to undergo some vital improvements following a donation from six East Suffolk Councillors.
Lowestoft Men's Shed has been providing a space for men to share conversation, hobbies and skills at its century-old home in Stradbroke Road for the last seven years.
Since first occupying The Hut – initially built to dry and mend fishing nets in the 1920s – members have been steadily refurbishing the building to a standard fit for wider community use.
Further important work, including window replacement and general structural repairs, has now been added to the list following a donation of £3,543 from the collective Enabling Communities Budgets of Kirkley and Pakefield ward councillors Peter Byatt, Louise Gooch and Malcolm Pitchers, and Oulton Broad councillors Edward Back, André Gee and Keith Robinson.
The Lowestoft Men's Shed, which has grown in membership from 12 to 64 in just seven years, aims to promote men’s good health – particularly for those who are retired, unemployed, or have health problems – through hobbies, recreational and or other leisure time occupations, including practical interests, skills sharing and the learning of new skills, and helping with other community-based projects.
Cllr Louise Gooch said:
“The shedders have worked wonders refurbishing their home and have established an asset to the community through their work to support men’s wellbeing.
“And their efforts have extended beyond the four walls of the building by offering their skills voluntarily to benefit other local groups and organisations.”
Cllr Edward Back said:
“We are pleased to have pooled funding from our collective Enabling Communities Budgets to make this grant to the Lowestoft Men's Shed.
“The group has gone from strength to strength since its formation and is continuing to provide a welcoming space for men to pursue practical interests and foster friendships.”
Trevor Ayers, Lowestoft Men's Shed Treasurer, said:
“The group have leased the property since September 2016, and started a programme of renovation to develop a workshop, an allotment, a canteen social space and renovate the main hall. We have a committee consisting of seven individuals who serve to guide the group, but all members are encouraged to participate in running their club.
“At the outset, we did not know each other very well, if at all, so essentially, we were all strangers together. We soon started to interact over cups of tea and coffee and working together to build confidence.
“Some very strong friendships have been achieved over that period. Also, even more importantly, we have all become friends and happily talk to each other about our lives, personal circumstances, problems and successes. Advice on how to improve one’s lot has been given freely and, when needed, a shoulder to cry on.
“We believe that this coming together of men, meeting and chatting over a cup of tea, working on common projects has made a significant impact on their lives.”
The new workshop includes various bought and donated woodworking machines, allowing members to not only work on their own creations but contribute to projects like renovating signs, constructing planters for schools, and making hedgehog, bird and bug boxes for allotments on behalf of Lowestoft Town Council and Suffolk County Council. Other projects have included making tables for the First Light Festival and making signs and notice boards for Pakefield Community Group.
Work to the building’s roof, windows and main hall has already allowed the space to be used for local theatre groups, knitting and canasta clubs, as well as a ‘home venue’ for the Men’s Shed table tennis team.