Fantastic community support for #TwiddleBoardDay!

Thanks to the support of the community and local businesses Ormerod Rutter, Bluebird Care (Bromsgrove & Redditch) and Broad Street DIY, ‘Twiddle Board Day’ returned to Bromsgrove Men In Sheds on 25th September 2026!

September is World Alzheimer’s month so, to help raise awareness, the Bromsgrove Shedders decided to host a community session, inviting members of the Ormerod Rutter and Bluebird teams to get involved in transforming everyday items into something meaningful for local people living with dementia.

Twiddle Boards are activity boards fitted with familiar and tactile items that can help people living with dementia by encouraging focus and easing restlessness, in addition to prompting memories and helping to creating valuable moments of connection.

To prepare for the day, the Shedders put out an appeal for donations of safe, sensory and engaging items such as locks, chains, switches and fidget spinners that could be used to help make the Twiddle Boards.

Long-standing supporters and sponsors of Bromsgrove Men In Sheds, Broad Street DIY responded to the appeal, with Director Lisa Warren bringing a box full of items to the Shed. The visit also provided the Shedders with the opportunity to present Lisa with Broad Street DIY’s 2026 Shed Share Certificate as a ‘Thank you’ for the local business’ continued support for the group.

Speaking on behalf of the Bromsgrove Shed, Age UK North Worcestershire’s Jo Hughes said, ‘We would like to say a massive thank you to all those that donated items and to everyone that has been involved in the production of the Twiddle Boards - it has been fantastic community effort! It was great to see members of the Ormerod Rutter team working alongside the Shedders, sharing thoughts, ideas and practical skills to create the Boards. Each of the Boards is unique in design, but they are all an engaging resource that could help to make a difference for a local person living with dementia’

The finished boards are being given to Bluebird Care customers in addition to other organisations supporting local people living with dementia.

Bromsgrove Men In Sheds is a key part of Age UK North Worcestershire’s Groups & Activities. The concept originates from an Australian project started in the 1990’s, called Men’s Sheds, as a way of tackling loneliness and social isolation in older men where retirement can mean loss of status and contact. If you, or anybody you know, might be interested in joining and/ or supporting the Bromsgrove Sheds please contact Jo Hughes at Age UK North Worcestershire (01527 570490/ jo.hughes@ageuknorthworcs.org.uk) or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/northworcs/activities-and-events/men-in-sheds/ to find out how you can get involved!