Yate Men’s Shed. All action! 
Yate Men’s Shed last month received a grant of £3,686 from Quartet Community Foundation. The funding will go toward running costs and the setup of a table tennis club. The new table tennis group will help meet demand from older players and improve wellbeing and reduce isolation among older men.
Nigel Woodford from Yate Men’s Shed:
“In June 2021 Yate Men’s Shed realised that the support to mature men was focused on their mental health with social gatherings and workshop sessions.
“There was an opportunity to help improve our members’ physical activity level. As our age group attended ‘Youth Clubs’ in yesteryear, most can play table tennis to a reasonable level. To reduce the risk of becoming overactive too soon we play mostly doubles.
“The table tennis group is already very well attended and extremely popular. Mostly men attend but a few ladies have also joined and been welcomed.”
Covid has impacted local charitable organisations in many way. Yate Men’s Shed has taken a financial hit, as a fall in member numbers has resulted in lower membership contributions. With a plan already in place to increase membership, the group hope this grant will offer support to tide them over during a difficult time for so many charitable organisations.
Nigel Woodford, Trustee Yate Men’s Shed:
“The ‘Shed’ is open, although not all members have returned. A few are still isolating with underlying conditions putting them at a higher risk and a couple are not yet confident to return. Even so we continue to hold meetings for those who can attend and as the weeks pass more are dropping by.
” As trustees we are very grateful for the grant which you have given us. It will provide financial stability to the group at this difficult time and ensure members get the support they need to improve their mental and physical health.”
Men’s Sheds are in many ways similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building within the community, sharing skills and knowledge and, of course, having fun with like-minded people.
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