Norwich Men's Shed: Connect, Converse, Create

The mental health charity Mind estimates that around a quarter of us will experience challenges with our mental health this year. Research by the charity has shown that the number of men experiencing suicidal thoughts has doubled since 2009.

But there is hope: finding connections and a safe space for men to talk about difficult feelings can help to overcome the effects of poor mental health and reduce the risk of experiencing a crisis.

Norwich Men’s Shed is a community group taking action by bringing men together in a positive, productive environment.  In their dedicated workshop space, participants (aka ‘Shedders’) are encouraged to share their skills and knowledge. By enjoying meaningful activities with like-minded people, Shedders gain a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

And, thanks to a donation of £3,500 from our Community Cares Fund, they’ll be able to help even more people make a positive change. With our grant, the Shedders will be able to run community activities for anyone, including women, as well as special holiday activities for families. By bringing communities together to learn new skills, everyone can feel a sense of pride and achievement in a job well done.

Roberta Wood, Co-ordinator of Norwich Men’s Shed said:

‘Norwich Men’s Shed is a vital facility for men in the local community. A place for men to connect, converse and create; our members really enjoy sharing skills and learning from each other. Thanks to this funding from Co-op Community Cares, we can now offer the wider community a taste of our Shed including outreach and mixed-gender opportunities.’

If you’d like to find out more about Norwich Men’s Shed, have a look at their upcoming events on their website here.

Our Community Cares Fund is generously supported by donations from our members and customers, and you can help! Discover how you can help even more amazing things happen here.