Keeping a warm welcoming space

Aim

We have about 50 members enjoying activities & socialising. We are struggling to keep our space warm & welcoming due to current energy costs

Who are we?

We are a local Men's Shed offering a safe and warm space for men to socialise in (without alcohol) and participate in activities such as wood-working, bicycle repair/refurbishment, model making, 3D printing and music group. We enable an environment where men can talk openly about anything, including their mental health status, and have had people referred by local NHS professionals. All male adults 18 and above are welcome regardless of colour, creed, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We NEED to keep this space open in the face of mounting heating & lighting costs and we need to be able to buy raw materials in a world where costs seem to be increasing all the time.

Community impact

Our membership is 90% retirement aged, many of whom are widowed. The Shed offers 1. A working type environment if they choose and 2. A place with conversation and companionship. Many of our members would probably draw on social care resources if not for the Shed. Additionally we have assisted a few with suicidal thoughts after loss to realise they are not alone and to seek help and guidance from those who have suffered loss before them. This has been of huge help to those involved.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding to ensure the survival of the Shed, plain and simple. We require to buy raw materials, such as wood, which has more than quadrupled in price since lock down ended and our energy bill which was around £60/month rocketed to £350. On top of this we see the inflationary pressures all are facing for tea, coffee, sugar & cleaning products - wood glue, screws, nails etc. We endeavour to make items we can sell to top up our public donations but these massive increases are all having an impact on our finances, and if we continue without this crowdfunding support we may not be able to absorb all these increases.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We will spend the money supporting our heating & lighting costs, particularly over the winter months. We need to make the place inviting enough to ensure our members feel it is a place they want to frequent. If we are able we may use some of any money raised to buy materials to allow us to produce items that assist in making us as self-sustaining as possible. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made