An introduction to Men In Sheds, Ransom Wood
Men in Sheds workshop at Ransom Wood is a project aimed exclusively at retired men to enhance and support them in later life and help with their mental health and wellbeing, involving them in their local community.
The three founding members of Men in Sheds are a group of three local, retired gentlemen. They have come together to open a new and independent "Men in Sheds" facility at Ransom Wood - a beautiful local woodland area to the south of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.
Since commencing the project, two of the original group members have withdrawn from the founding group due to ill health and other commitments. Still, the heart, soul and purpose of the project remain.
Launching our own Independent Shed
When we decided on launching our own independent shed, we found and leased an old disused building on the Ransom Wood Estate. This building was used initially as an N.H.S. Hospital morgue during its days ending in 1987. Since closing, the building has been left unloved and unused. It has now been renamed to T.O.M. (The Old Morgue) to start its new life, helping men of a certain age find a new and more positive way forward.
We are a self-funding project. The newly leased building had no water or electric supply. It required a complete makeover internally and externally, including electrics, water, plastering, insulating, heating and painting. Most of all workshop equipment is either powered battery-operated or manual hand tools.
We also purchased a used 40-foot sea container which we have sited alongside The Old Morgue (T.O.M.). The container has undergone a total refit with a toilet/restroom, kitchen, canteen and small shop to sell our members' products to help support and finance the project.
It will also need two wheelchair ramps installed, allowing both members and the public access to the facilities. We have also constructed a wood store at the rear of The Old Morgue (T.O.M.). We have removed vegetation and soil around the back of the building, which was very overgrown from years of non-use. We found and have retained some of the original hospital signage during the cleanup. The wood store construction has been totally constructed from recycling materials, pallets, posts, paving slabs, roof timbers and coverings and most of all, built by ourselves.
We are very grateful that the Ransom Wood management team has installed new service utilities for us, including water, drains, electricity, and internet/Wi-Fi.
We are a non-profit project run by volunteers for the benefit of Men aged 60 and over
Men in Shed, Ransom Wood, is a non-profit project run solely by volunteers for the benefit of its members, men of 60 and over. All funds raised from the workshop activities will be used to buy woodworking machinery and other equipment and consumables to support the membership and the project going forward. Any surplus profits left at the end of the financial year will be donated to other local community projects such as day clubs, food banks and other like-minded non-profit organisations.
We would welcome any funding and support from local businesses district or county councils. This can be by donations of both new/used hand tools, battery-operated tools or electrically cable operated tools. It can also be by financial contributions or gifts to fund materials and equipment for the shed.
A renewed sense of Purpose & Belonging
Men in Sheds, Ransom Wood, is a place for men to meet and share their experiences and skills. It is also a place to discuss their possible worries and fears they may have, particularly in this very trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also about having fun, talking, sharing skills and knowledge with like-minded people and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.
We hope to reduce isolation and loneliness within this age group as a by-product of this. They also allow men to discuss and possibly help deal with mental health and wellbeing issues and challenges that sometimes are forgotten.
We also hope that this sense of belonging as a member of Men in Sheds Ransom Wood can make it easier to remain independent and active in their local communities.
Above all, we hope to rebuild the community spirit in our members and, in some cases, make a difference in supporting men's wellbeing in their everyday lives. One of the areas that we hope to make a difference is getting our members to speak openly to each other about everyday life that affects their mental wellbeing.
Supporting Men In Sheds' much-needed facility to create a better community
During the current situation regarding COVID-19 and the pandemic, we have contacted local businesses, councils and other agencies looking to introduce ourselves and offer our services within our local community. We are also looking and would welcome funding and financial support from local councils and the business sector to successfully provide this much-needed facility for this age group of men, which is sadly lacking in our local area.
Our workshop is open from January 2022. The membership will be small to start with. But, through advertising and word of mouth, we hope that the shed's name and what this project offers will be common knowledge in the community very quickly.
