£500k funding for Men's Shed' project

The 'Be Safe Be Well' group allocated lottery funding to further enhance the 'Men's Shed' Project

"The outcome of any shed is to improve mental health, to create community, to build families up and we have seen the proof of that in our sheds" said Be Safe Be Well project manager Catherine Taylor.  So £500,000 of additional funding should bring about no end of good.

The organisation has been awarded the money from the Big Lottery Fund ‘People and Communities’ Award.  The money is to enhance its existing Men's Shed projects and to create two more shed projects in the Causeway Coast and Glens Area over the next four years.

We can see the pond again! Thanks to volunteers at Foreglen today. @bitcni pic.twitter.com/tFdQYugV0X

— Be Safe Be Well (@BeSafeBeWell) August 16, 2016

The funding will allow the organisation to increase its opening hours and membership at its existing shed projects that they have in Foreglen and Limavady. WHile they will also be able to open two more sheds in the region.

 A new shed will be opening shortly in Portstewart in partnership with a Portstewart Men's Group. While a further shed will open in Coleraine over the next two years

Someone's getting into the Christmas mood! #TommyTheElf @BIGNIonline @IrishSheds pic.twitter.com/OqoFK7T6FY

— Be Safe Be Well (@BeSafeBeWell) September 28, 2016

The Be Safe Be Well Men's Sheds offer men aged 25 and with a dedicated place  to complete a number of activities which have been chosen by the members.  Each shed has activities running which has included, gardening, wood and willow craft,

Speaking about the Big Lottery funding award, Catherine Taylor, Project Manager said ‘We are thrilled to be able to continue to provide these very valuable shed projects for the 43 existing ‘shedders’. The sheds which our members have helped shape and develop, have proved to be a vital tool in helping them to sustain or improve their mental health by providing a supportive community. It has been said by the Men's Shed founder that ‘Men do not talk eye to eye, they talk shoulder to shoulder’. We are excited about creating our new shed in Portstewart which will be the first Men's Shed in that area.’

William Wilson, Chairperson, Portstewart Mens Shed added ; ‘A group of men in partnership with Be Safe Be Well have for the past year been in the process of setting up a Men`s shed in Portstewart, to be known as Portstewart Men`s Shed. This work is nearing its goal for, in the near future, we hope to secure a shed premises in which we will be able to establish a Men`s Shed. There is still a lot of work to do, but with the support of Be Safe Be Well and with the willingness of our membership, we will succeed.