Men's shed extends facilities after firm donates materials

This came after Buildbase Portsmouth donated material to the Copnor-based men’s shed to add front decking and an access ramp to the recently-built shed building.

Stephen Redrup, Trustee of The Ports-mouth Men’s Shed, said: ‘Thanks to the donation and support of materials by Portsmouth Buildbase we have been able to provide an outdoor decking area and wheelchair access ramp for the members of the Copnor men’s shed.

‘This has enabled us to extend the facilities of the shed to a wider group of men, who would possibly have felt excluded.’

The Portsmouth Men’s Shed has locations at the Stacey Centre in Copnor and at St. George’s Church, and boasts more than 30 members.

The purpose-built cabin was put up in July 2015 and has been fitted with electrics, plumbing, work benches and seating areas. There are also all the materials necessary for planning and assisting woodworking projects.

The shed is also kitted out with a number of small hand and electric tools, including drills, saws and sanders, in addition to a number of large, more powerful electric tools, such as a wood lathe, planer and a pillar drill.

Martin Watson, timber manager at Buildbase Portsmouth, said: ‘Men’s sheds are a particularly good idea, especially when they bring people together, as well as helping the community.’

The ceremony fell on a busy week for the Portsmouth Men’s Shed, as well as many other sheds countrywide, as several groups met with the aim of forging a network of Southern men’s sheds.

Seventeen men’s sheds were represented at the meeting – from as far away as Reading and Poole. As a result, a network was created and Mr Redrup was appointed co-ordinator for the group. Now there are plans to set up men’s sheds in Paulsgrove, Cosham and Hayling Island.

For more information please visit 
portsmouthmensshed.org.uk.