Men's group keeps on growing with new shed

From left, Kim Brindley, Chris Hodgson, chairman Malcolm McInnes, Rod Parker and voluntary sector support manager of Community Action Fareham Jennie Romicheva

THE Men's Shed community project has launched a new group in Fareham.

The branch is up and running thanks to the popularity of nearby groups in Gosport, Portsmouth and Havant.

And now, with the help of Community Action Fareham, volunteers from the Men’s Shed committee have set up the new group, which meets in Titchfield.

Chairman Malcolm McInnes said: ‘I’m glad to get it up and running.

‘We’ve been working hard behind the scenes so I’m happy to have launched.’

The shed, aimed at men aged 55 and over, meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Titchfield Festival Theatre.

Mr McInnes said: ‘I’m pleased to announce we can call Titchfield Festival Theatre our home.

‘It’s a nice venue with all the facilities we need.’

With membership costing £25 a year, Men’s Sheds give members the chance to get together to do practical activities at a low cost and help people suffering with isolation. Member of Fareham’s Men’s Shed Nick Inman said: ‘When people retire it can be a shock to the system.

‘The new shed will be a great way of tackling this problem.’

Fellow member David Spooner is looking forward to meeting new people who share his interests.

David said: ‘I enjoy painting and woodwork so it will be a nice way of making friends and trying new activities out.’

Paul O’Beirne, chief executive of Community Action Fareham said: ‘There has been a lot of interest regarding a new shed opening closer to Fareham after the success of the other local ones.

‘Lots of volunteers have come together and made it possible to get this project up and running.’

The Men’s Shed campaign originated in Australia before gaining popularity in Britain inviting members to join in a range of activities such as woodwork.