Roberta Wood is the manager of Norwich Men’s Shed, a community space for men to connect, converse and create. With a Crowdfunding campaign for its new home underway, Roberta explains how they hope to support the wellbeing of men for years to come
I’ve been working with Norwich Men’s Shed for over 5 years now and essentially, as the only paid management, I am the one at the helm, trying desperately to keep everything on an even keel! Leading a small charity is a tough gig, but alongside the challenges, it is incredibly rewarding.
I truly believe in the work of the Norwich Men’s Shed – we attract men who may be struggling with poor mental health and social isolation but would not access the usual support services. Sheds are places of connection and there is a strange kind of magic that happens when men meet in the workshop environment – a safe space that enables sharing and openness around their struggles and worries. A diverse range of men of all ages and backgrounds come together to form a community, and the peer support and camaraderie is I have witnessed are truly incredible – without sounding overly dramatic, sheds can literally save lives.
What is the background to Norwich Men’s Shed and how has it helped men over the years?
Norwich Men’s Shed was founded by local men’s charity MensCraft in 2013 and became an independent CIO in 2017, evidencing over 10-years of supporting men in the local community. Over the years, Norwich Men’s Shed has grown from a small club with a handful of members into a popular, respected and well-known local charity that actively works with other charities and community projects in the area.
We offer a community workshop environment for men to socialise and learn new skills, addressing key issues around wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness. We support 100+ men each year, with 60+ active members at any one time. Members engage in a wide range of meaningful and worthwhile activities with like-minded people, having fun, sharing skills and knowledge and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.
Our workshop activities are member-led and mainly based around wood-working skills. Members describe the making activities as therapeutic – a way to switch off from daily worries and de-stress – however you’ll often find them connecting over a cuppa with many stating company and friendship as their main reason for membership. Our Shed offers a safe space to talk – a place of peer support, our members feel comfortable discussing personal issues with each other and support fellow members through traumatic times.
While Shed members themselves are our immediate beneficiaries, the knock-on effects quickly spread beyond the workshop walls into the wider community. Members tell us of the uplift they get from coming to the Shed, that in improving their own wellbeing they were in a better place to connect with and support others in their lives beyond the Shed. Some members tell us that the support from the Shed has saved marriages and rebuilt family relationships, others of how they have returned to the workplace or taken up other community-based activities after prolonged periods of isolation and poor health.
We also collaborate with other organisations on projects of community benefit – these activities range from the restoration of historic NHS equipment, making puppets with families at community-events, practical skill sharing sessions and creating fairy door trails for literacy workshops with libraries and schools.
What is the latest development – where are you moving from and to and why?
Our workshops are currently based in Pitt Street near Anglia Square – these premises have served us well for many years, but situated on redevelopment site, they are always at threat of demolition. Additionally, the building is in a poor state of repair, and it is not cost effective for our landlord to make any major renovations. Access to a physical dedicated workshop space in a central location is key to our delivery, but, with a one month notice period, we were always on edge, expecting our lease to end at any point.
We were thrilled to find an alternative venue nearby through Norwich Historic Churches Trust – as a grade I listed building it comes with a 10-year secure lease. Located nearby, we can continue to support the men who need us most, and while the listed status presents some challenges, this building is unlikely to be pulled down! Set-up of a long-term workshop will bring a feeling of security and help futureproof our charitable offering.
Additionally, the single level workshop layout with accessible toilet facilities will expand our reach to those who cannot attend at our current premises, including wheelchair users. Two years ago, we partnered with Headway, a charity who support adults impacted by brain – they hire our workshop facilities on a regular basis and the improved accessibility means that their clients with higher mobility needs can now attend too.
Why is the Crowdfunder important and how can people show their support?
There are around 1000 Sheds in the UK, but we all operate independently. Based in central Norwich, our location is crucial to ensuring maximum accessibility to all residents, but, as an urban Shed, our costs are higher than most. Classed as a micro-charity, we operate on a comparatively small annual budget, and our hard-working members currently generate 30% of our core costs themselves; both through paying membership fees and volunteering their time to make items to sell, including bespoke commissions. We are reliant on grants and donations to make up the shortfall.
Total cost of the move from the planning stage, through to final set-up is circa £20k – we have raised some funds already but have a shortfall of £5k. There is no operational heating at the new premises, and we will need to install this alongside improving the lighting to create a safe workshop environment. We hope to move-in in October, and this stage of work needs to be completed for us to operate through the winter months.
We need the community backing to help us with this exciting move to (what we hope will become) our “forever home”. We have set up a Crowdfunder where people can donate: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/new-home-for-norwich-mens-shed. Alongside this financial assistance there may be local companies who can help with practical tasks: are you a removal company, electrician or builder who could donate time or supplies? Please contact us via roberta@norwichmensshed.org.uk
How can people join Norwich Men’s Shed and/or find out more?
Norwich Men’s Shed membership is open to any man (aged 18+) who is interested in accessing a workshop environment. Shedders come from all walks of life – some have skills they want to share, others because they want to learn new things, and some to simply socialise. Members span the novice, the DIY-er, the keen hobbyist and the retired professional – all abilities and skillsets are welcome.
We operate as a membership cooperative, and alongside a nominal membership fee all members contribute something to the running of our Shed. This ranges from taking on maintenance responsibilities, making items to sell, training/mentoring other members, attending events, or simply being a listening ear over a cuppa.
We currently offer a choice of 5 weekday sessions, and have recently received funding to trial evening sessions for men who work daytimes.
Find out more at norwichmensshed.org.uk or email nms@norwichmensshed.org.uk. To help with the Crowdfunding campaign, visit crowdfunder.co.uk.
Featured images – supplied
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