Power tools at the ready on women-only DIY course

SheSheds, new DIY group for women, first meeting at Springhead Community Centre. Pic shows instigator Barbara Beeley (front centre) with left to right, Sandra Bridgehouse, Lynn Griffin, Tony Frampton (Men In Sheds), Christine Wilson (Saddleworth and Lees district team community development officer).

From Men in Sheds to SheSheds

WOMEN proved DIY isn’t just a male domain at the launch of a project called SheSheds.


As reported by the Chronicle, the scheme is the brainchild of Saddleworth parish councillor and former Oldham Council member Barbara Beeley to encourage women to tackle a range of home projects.

Its believed to be the UK’s first women-only DIY course and the launch saw women from across the borough attend for the first session of a basic eight-week course at Springhead Community Centre.

Councillor Beeley was inspired by suffragette Annie Kenney, also from Springhead, who was a beacon in the Women’s Social and Political Union and was jailed for campaigning on issues surrounding votes for women.

Success

Councillor Beeley joined forces with Christine Wilson, community development officer, to approach Age UK after witnessing the success of its Men in Sheds project.

That project was set up with the aim of preventing men from becoming isolated.

Initially, the course will teach women how to stop dripping taps, using basic tools, making items including bird boxes and working on garden projects. It’s being run by Age UK Oldham staff on Wednesdays.