Shed load of things to do..

BEST buddies . . . from left, John Scholes, Geoff Thompson, Dave Freear, Simon Platt, Bert Wrigley and Roland Smith take part in Med in Sheds

A project to combat isolation among men over 55 has become so popular it has been moved to larger headquarters.

The Men in Sheds scheme started in the Satellite Community Centre on Wellington Road, Greenfield, a year ago.

But now membership has mushroomed to 20 and they have outgrown the centre and moved to bigger premises at Waterside Mills, Greenfield.

The Age UK Oldham’s Men in Sheds Project is an initiative funded by the local authority with aims to improve health and wellbeing.

Co-ordinator Dave Freear said: “Men can use existing skills, learn new ones and get involved in productive activity, while enjoying the benefits of working in a social group.

“It’s also where men can get together and put the world to rights over a cup of tea.”

Dave (60), a former electrical engineer, added: “We want them to engage in activities they enjoy, to help them relax and encourage them to turn-up regularly.

“We hope to start activities including refurbishing furniture, framing pictures and photographs. And we want to encourage wooden toy-making, and contructing bird tables and window boxes.

“We’ll also encourage basic IT skills, growing fruit, vegetables and assembling hanging baskets and tubs.”

Contact Dave on 0161-682 4747. Referrals are considered from men over the age of 55 who have undergone life changing experiences — redundancy, loss of a partner, early dementia, mental health problems, lack of confidence.