Bromsgrove Lions visit MIS
Published on 01 August 2018 04:32 PM
On 30th July Bromsgrove Men In Sheds welcomed members of the Bromsgrove Lions, along with Janice Boswell MBE, to their ‘Shed’ at Metal & Ores Industrial Estate, Stoke Prior. The Lions have made a very generous donation of £300 in support of Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest’s Shed Share scheme and were visiting the Shed to meet some of the Shedders and to receive their Shed Share Certificate.
Lesley Godwin from the Bromsgrove Lions said; "We are proud to help the community by supporting the Age UK’s Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest’s ‘Men in Sheds' project - it offers wide ranging benefits for so many people. We know through the Lions the value of friendships and companionships that are formed by doing activities together, but there are very few initiatives quite like Men In Sheds locally why it is important that we all come together to ensure that it continues”
Janice Boswell also added; “Bromsgrove Men In Sheds is fantastic. It is such a gift to Bromsgrove to have an initiative like this within our District. I have always believed that if you help others you can help yourself. Having come here today to meet some of the Shedders and to experience the atmosphere, I totally understand what people get by coming here and would encourage others to join and get involved! It is so important to be a part of something – we should never underestimate the value of friendships and doing things together. It was also great to hear about the wider community projects that Men In Sheds have been involved with in at Stoke Prior and Dodford Children’s Farm, and to be a part of the discussions about the Shedders supporting the Lions with the Primrose Garden at the Princess of Wales Hospital – we can make so much more of a difference when we all come together and support one another.”
Men in Sheds originates from an Australian project started in the 1990’s, as a way of tackling loneliness and social isolation in older men where retirement can mean loss of status and contact. The Bromsgrove Men in Sheds Group has been operating since 2016, providing a supportive and friendly setting where people can come together to socialise and learn new skills.
The Shed Share scheme, launched in March, is an ongoing initiative and is part of Age UK BRWF’s plans to ensure the sustainability of this much valued local group. For £100, local businesses/ groups/ individuals can sponsor a ‘Shed Share’ for a year. In return, like the Bromsgrove Lions, sponsors will receive a Shed Share certificate, as well as having their support recognised in a variety of ways by Age UK BRWF and the Men In Sheds Group.
Anyone that is interested in joining or supporting Bromsgrove Men In Sheds can find out more by contacting Jo Hughes at Age UK BRWF on 01527 568855 and/ or by watching the ‘Men In Sheds – A Closer Look’ video produced by students from HOW College https://youtu.be/p_SBhOZQgeg. To help raise awareness of, and funds for Bromsgrove Men In Sheds, Shedders along with Age UK BRWF staff and volunteers will also be in Morrisons Bromsgrove on Thursday 9th August.