Official opening of the New Bromsgrove Shed!

On Friday 28th March 2025, members of Bromsgrove Men In Sheds came together with some of their sponsors and supporters to celebrate the official opening of the ‘New Bromsgrove Shed’ by Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Sam Ammar!

Following the relocation of the Shed from Stoke Prior to a shared unit with H2o Restoration Limited in Finstall, the Bromsgrove Shedders have been working extremely hard to set up a brand-new workshop and machine room, which was properly unveiled at the opening!

The Bromsgrove Shed is a key part of Age UK BRWF’s Groups & Activities. The concept originates from an Australian project started in the 1990’s, called Men’s Sheds, as a way of tackling loneliness and social isolation in older men where retirement can mean loss of status and contact.

Having previously visited the Shedders at Stoke Prior, in opening the New Shed, Cllr Ammar spoke about the importance of places like the Shed adding ‘there is no pressure…you don’t need to talk about anything, but if you want to, it is there…you stop and you have a coffee and it is just such a lovely place!’ Shedder Phil, who along with Shedder Rich supported Cllr Ammar with the cutting of the ribbon, spoke about the personal ‘boost’ that the Shed had given to him.

The opening was also an opportunity to thank all those whose support is so important to the Shed, with several of the Shed’s Sponsors (including Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants, bdht, Better Together, Broad Street DIY Ltd, Bluebird Care Bromsgrove & Redditch, Jukes Insurance Brokers, F B & Sons, Lawns & Landscapes, Eaton Limited and Whiting Landscape Ltd) being presented with their Shed Share Certificates!

There is still work to do, but the Shed is now back to operating six sessions a week (including a ‘Mixed’ session on a Thursday afternoon open to anybody aged 50+). If you, or anybody you know, might be interested in joining and/ or supporting Bromsgrove Men In Sheds please contact Jo Hughes at Age UK BRWF ( 01527 570490/ jo.hughes@ageukbrwf.org.uk) to find out how you can get involved !