Donation supports Age UK Wyvern Sheds Together Project

A group based in Ledbury and Bromyard is benefitting from a donation of products worth £500 from Ronseal to help local older people take part in woodwork projects.  

Sheds Together, an Age UK Wyvern initiative, received a supply of paints and varnishes to help them produce wooden constructions such as benches and wildlife shelters, many of which will benefit the local community. 

A Sheds Together workshop can be found at Ledbury Rugby Football Club and brings together older people with an interest in woodwork and practical tasks. Over the past three years the group has created a pond for a school, renovated a lectern at the Cemetery chapel and produced a ticket booth for the Ledbury Carnival, as well as helped members with projects they’ve brought in from home. 

Keith Copus from Age UK Wyvern, who runs the group, explained how much they appreciate donations for their work, “We’d like to thank Ronseal for their very generous and useful donation. With help like this, and the kind support we’ve received from other organisations such as the Town Council and the Rugby Club, we’ve been able to build up a thriving group. We also try to give back to the community and have made several items for local groups at the cost of materials only”. 

A wide range of people, from novices to past masters, take part in projects at the Sheds. David King, aged 67, from Ledbury admitted, “Over the years I’ve realised I’m no good at DIY, but here I can take part in projects with the help of others. I’ve made a bird box which I’ve taken home and hope that I will see birds nesting in it this spring”. Meanwhile, his friend Albert Marshall is a self-confessed “techy” who revels in anything practical. He commented, “I like helping people, and here I can share my knowledge and pass on skills”. Currently, the group are working together to build a dolls house for display in the Age UK Wyvern charity shop on The Homend in Ledbury town centre. 

The Sheds Together project is proving so successful that there are plans to extend its operation. At the Ledbury site, preparations are being made to build a new workshop which will focus on arts and crafts. It is hoped that there will be sessions helping people to try producing stained glass and other creative arts. Meanwhile, the Bromyard Shed is moving to larger premises at the Westington Works on the A44 between Bromyard and Leominster, where it is hoped even more older people can enjoy taking part in practical projects.