A PROJECT which is aiming to kick loneliness into touch received a visit from Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton this week.
Men in Sheds, run by Age UK Barnsley, provides carpentry and wood-turning activities for men aged 50 and above who want to get together and learn new skills in the man-friendly space of a shed.
It was piloted in Cudworth three years ago, a ward which Coun Houghton represents, but recently set up another ‘shed’ at the Newburgh Building on McLintock Way, off Summer Lane, on the outskirts of the town centre after securing £280,000 in lottery funding to help reach more blokes over the next five years.
Its members’ work can be seen at Library @ the Lightbox, one of the first town centre buildings to be finished as part of the wider £180m Glass Works redevelopment, after the men designed and created some furniture.
Sir Steve said: “It’s an excellent scheme and it’s one that’s had real success across Barnsley.
“It provides opportunity for friendship, conversation and activities for men who have perhaps faced major life changes such as retirement or redundancy, bereavement or ill health.”
