The latest update from the Project Team.

The growth of Men's Sheds across Wales continues. There are now 45 active groups from North to South Wales. We recently welcomed new Men's Sheds at Hermon, Pembrokeshire and Crynant, Neath Port Talbot. You can find details of all Men's Sheds at www.mensshedscymru.co.uk/map

Welcome to Tony Graham, Men's Sheds Cymru new Project Manager

Tony has joined Hafan Cymru and been with the Project Team for the last two months. Tony now takes on the role of ensuring the value and contribution Men's Sheds has made and can make to combating loneliness and isolation is known to all agencies and government. Tony manages the development of new Men's Sheds and supports existing groups across Wales. A challenge as the Big Lottery target is for 85 Men's Sheds groups in Wales by the end of 2020.

In addition Tony has another role to deliver Advocacy services to Men's Sheds members, their families and friends. This is a service supported by the Welsh Government with the aim of utilising the Men's Sheds network to deliver help to ensure individual's voices are heard.

Tony has a wealth of experience in encouraging, supporting and developing groups. Previously working as a Director for the Trussell Trust in their national operation to deliver a network of hundreds of food banks across the UK.

Tony is busy visiting 'sheds', meeting members and finding out just what their shed means to them.

Tony is keen to understand and experience what has worked well and to learn what ambitions the Shedders across Wales have for the future.

“There is lots of outstanding work going on in Sheds across Wales and I have been struck by how willing men are to address some big issues in their own lives and the lives of their friends around them. Sheds provide a safe space to be yourself and to be honest with other men and long may that continue. I want to work with my team and with our member Sheds to create a strong association of Sheds across Wales that will stand shoulder to shoulder with the other Men’s Sheds Associations in Scotland, Ireland and England. We all have plenty to share and learn from one another to strengthen and ensure the Men’s Sheds movement goes from strength to strength for the benefit of all men in Wales”

Crynant Men's Shed

Welcome to one of our newest Men's Sheds. With help and support from Crynant Community Centre, this group have set themselves up in a small brick and stone building on site. Plenty of activity and involvement in the upcoming intergenerational village event about the First World War.

Our new Wellbeing Advocates

We are pleased to announce a new service available to members of Men's Sheds, their families and friends. Funded by the Welsh Government our Wellbeing Advocates can work with individuals to help ensure their 'voice' is heard. For more contact Tony in North Wales tony.wan@mensshedscymru.co.uk or Shevaughn in South Wales shevaughn.Williams@mensshedscymru.co.uk

Men's Sheds Video

It's almost ready and we plan to publish the story of Men's Sheds from around Wales in October. We'll send a separate link, soon. We are grateful to groups in both North and South Wales who participated and who were pleased to share the story of their 'shed' journey.

Funding news

If you are looking for funding have a look at our list of organisations who may be able to help. A number of Men's Sheds have been awarded grants from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme. Full details of organisations can be found on our website at http://www.mensshedscymru.co.uk/how-can-we-help/funding/
If you need help with making an application email info@mensshedscymru.co.uk and we will put you in touch with the Development Officer for your region.

Men's Sheds Cymru is Hafan Cymru project funded by the Big Lottery to the end of December 2020.

The Wellbeing Advocates Project is managed by Hafan Cymru funded by Welsh Government until July 2021.