Age UK Isle of Wight now has it’s very own Men’s Shed located to the rear of its head office in Newport.
Open every Wednesday afternoon at 147 High Street, the Newport Shed welcomes men of all ages. It offers a variety of activities including woodwork, gardening and cookery.
The Newport Shed is a workshop located in a walled garden, where as well as practical woodworking Age UK IOW are able to grow flowers and vegetables. The workshop itself has been fitted out with the hard work and dedication of a small group of dedicated ‘Shed men’.
Lois Prior, Men in Sheds co-ordinator, explains what a Men’s Shed is:
“Men’s Sheds provide the space to meet with others and the opportunity for men to use their skills in a positive way and often for the wider community benefit. The UK now has around 300 sheds up and down the country, with several located on the Island.”
“There are lots of flats and sheltered accommodation in Newport where access to outdoor spaces can be limited. This shed is the ideal place to keep those gardening skills working. You may even want to learn about gardening and vegetable growing as well as woodworking, or teach others. The men can do as much or as little work as they want to. The most important thing is that they are here, being part of the shed and enjoying each others company.
“As well as the facilities and activities on site, we will be taking on the flower beds at County Hall. Being right next door enables us to have regular input into the beds and it’s something that the community can really appreciate”.
The Newport Shed is open every Wednesday 13:00-16:00. For more information call Lois at Age UK IOW on 01983 525282.
