Shedloads of fun in Portland project for men

The shed has been designed as a special place for men on Portland to share skills, make memories and pursue practical interests.

The Man Shed is bigger than your average garden shed, with tools available to share in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue.

Colin Stott, project manager, said he hoped they would be able to create a place of leisure for men to socialise, and revealed one of the first projects at the shed would be up to upcycle old furniture.

In addition to this project however, Mr Stott said: “I hope that members will bring along their own projects, from repairing old tools, making a birdhouse for their garden or even bringing along an Airfix model to sit and have a go at.

“The Shed will become what the members make it, and we will always try to incorporate any practical suggestions.”

Those behind the project say they have taken inspiration from the shed movement in Australia, where men came to realise they could work together around practical tasks on a regular basis, particularly if they had a designated place to do so.

The Man Shed is based at Unit 1, 25 Chiswell, and is run in conjunction with Island Community Action (ICA).

ICA helps support residents and communities on Portland, particularly adults who are perhaps older, more vulnerable and impacted by isolation.

Senior figures at ICA said they recognised not all of their standard community activities appealed to men, and this would provide something different for them to enjoy.

Kate Pascoe, project manager at ICA, said: “Over the past four years we have worked with over 800 older people on Portland.

“Unfortunately our clients are disproportionately female heavy.

“We had heard of Men in Sheds and the fantastic results these projects have recorded particularly with older isolated men and those leaving male dominated workplaces such as the forces.

“So, we were delighted when Colin approached us to say he would like to open The Man Shed for Portland.”