I mentioned the idea of Mensheds in Oz before, but the UK one has officially opened according to the BBC.

The first shed in a new project in Gloucestershire which aims to persuade older men to get out of their garden sheds and help others has opened.

Age Concern’s “shed” in the Forest of Dean is a workshop where men over 50 can meet up and refurbish unwanted tools which will be sent to Africa.

The charity wants to encourage retired men who do not traditionally use their services and are at risk of isolation.

They also hope to revive and preserve the skills of repair and refurbishment.

The “Men in Sheds” project’s aim is for groups of men over 55 to meet together and refurbish old hand tools.

The tools will then be packaged up into tool kits by another charity, “Tools for Self Reliance”, and sent to communities in Africa that need them.

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I missed this the other day, but Age concern are following the lead on the succesful Austrailian Menshed schemes, according to the BBC.

Age Concern Gloucestershire is about to begin its newest project in the Forest of Dean aimed at men aged over 55.

The “Men in Sheds” scheme will see men giving their time and skills to refurbish donated hand tools.

The Southampton-based charity Tools for Self Reliance will then send the refurbished tools out to Africa.

The project also needs men with administrative and marketing skills. The first “shed” will open later this May in The Mews, Mitcheldean.

“This is a unique opportunity for older men to use their skills and enjoy a social activity and help others,” said Linda Shepherd of Age Concern Gloucestershire.

Old hand sewing machines will also be reconditioned if available.

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