ActivSheds celebrates 10 years making, doing, repairing, upcycling and – most of all – making friends and finding support as part of their local community on Friday 8^th May 11am to 2pm at ActivSheds, the CRESS Pavilion, Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE

Everybody is invited to come and meet members, look around at the facilities, find inspiration for your own project, view their wonderful products, and find out how to get involved over a cuppa and food.

Part of the international Men in Sheds movement, the project is for men who would like to share knowledge, learn new skills, and pursue hobbies and interests to do with carpentry, DIY and construction. It is also an opportunity for members to socialise and make friends as they engage in practical tasks – keeping them connected through difficult times such as retirement, bereavement, disability or ill health.

On Fridays, ActivSheds run a men-only session; on Thursdays everyone is welcome.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Susannah Robirosa [email protected] Mobile – 07530 407302. ActivLives – 01473 345350.

About ActivSheds

As some of you may know, the Men’s Sheds movement started in Australia, back in the 1990s. Its mission was simple – to keep men happy by providing a place for them to do “stuff” with other blokes – make, repair, build, renovate, recycle, pursue your own project, or do something for the community. And, above all, to make friends.

Since it started, Men’s Sheds have sprung up all over the world. Here in Ipswich, we are lucky to have one in the heart of Maidenhall, run by ActivLives.

ActivSheds started as a small group of men who set about repairing a dilapidated shed in which to operate. Ten years on and some of the original founders are still there, others have come and gone, but ActivSheds are proud to say they have a strong core team of around 8 people who show up every Friday, come rain or shine, and who have formed close, supportive ties and friendships.

Almost out of nothing, the Shedders have built an amazing work space, with work benches for disabled people, shelving for project work, rafters to store bird boxes and garden trugs, as well as a tea bar to make the obligatory cuppa.

In response to demand, they also run a second day to work with people who need a level of support to build their skills and confidence, including older people living with stroke or dementia, young people with autism or other learning disabilities, people living with severe mental ill heath, people on probation to help them in their rehabilitation journey, and refugees and asylum seekers to enable them to integrate into the local community.

Members vote with their feet.

Every Thursday and Friday you will find groups of people quietly working away at everything you can think of. Not only bird tables, nesting boxes and the usual sorts of things you’d expect to find, but the most creative ideas you can think of – planters in the shape dogs, cats and peacocks, a hot air balloon taking off with an image of a member’s wife drinking champagne in the basket, a stick for an Irish drum, and even a character out of Star Wars!

Members have completed projects big and small both for the community garden and for other community projects. These include, building disabled gardening bays, raised beds, signage, trellis and planters, as well as renovating benches and garden furniture, building bee hives and crafting a giant bee sculpture!

Over the years, ActivSheds have talked to many of the people who come to the Shed. They have heard heart-warming testimonies about how it helps members:
“It’s the highlight of my week.”
“It is a family of sorts.”
“It’s my support bubble.”
“Like many men, I don’t have any real friends – and I rely on this place.”
“Men don’t talk. We bottle things up. Here, we talk here.”

Because it does help, Men’s Sheds have a very serious side. They are set up to tackle loneliness and social isolation in men of all ages. Loneliness has a huge detrimental impact on men’s mental health, which may give rise to many other health problems.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Susannah Robirosa [email protected] Mobile – 07530 407302. ActivLives – 01473 345350.