This week the Club was joined by Matt Wilkinson and Dave Robertson from the Mablethorpe Men’s Shed. Supported by the UK Men’s Sheds Association, Men’s Sheds can be found all over the country in the form of spaces where people (women included) can meet to socialise, share skills, make new friends and experience something akin to a (very relaxed) workplace environment.
The Mablethorpe Men’s Shed was started in 2016 in The Old Boatshed on Victoria Road by Brian and Val Cobbold both of whom have sadly since past away. The building is setup for woodworking and the Shedders (as they are known!) build items for sale at markets, car boot sales, fetes and within The Boatshed itself. They can also repair and restore items. All the money raised goes back into the project giving members a sense of purpose as it’s their work that helps keep the Shed going.
Matt and Dave explained that the benefits go far beyond the practical skills learned, and gave examples of people who came to the Shed whilst “down on their luck” that were able to make new friends and rediscover their confidence. It was particularly impressive to hear that people who had felt unable to take on employment had gone on to re-enter the world of work.
Several of our Rotarians are keen to take a look inside the Shed in the near future and will certainly look for ways to support this very positive and worthwhile project going forwards.