Crewe Shedders expands with over 20 per cent female members for the first time
Already a champion of men's mental health, now women can come to the woodwork workshop five days a week.
By Alex Greensmith
Posted: Wednesday, 09th August 2023 2:33 pm
A Crewe-based charity has made some big changes, just a year after it faced certain closure.
Crewe Shedders, originally called Men in Sheds, was founded 13 years ago with the help of Age UK and lottery funding.
Crewe Shedders is a place where people can come and talk about their feelings, while also making new friends.
Located inside a former design and technology school building, you might feel like you are back at school, as people also come to the building to learn woodwork skills and create projects for the community.
However, this time last year, Age UK stopped funding the project, and the Crewe good cause was left to apply for grants on its own to keep going.
But thanks to its members, volunteers and a new committee, the charity is not just surviving, but thriving.
Already a champion of men's mental health, now women can come to the woodwork workshop too. This is after a recent vote to allow women to use the facilities.
And later this year, the charity is set to get a funding boost thanks to the Co-op, with Co-op members in Crewe raising funds for Crewe Shedders, just by doing their weekly shopping.
Crewe Nub News met with Graham Walker and Simon Farr at Crewe Shedders, to find out more.
"We applied for Co-op funding to expand our ladies' offering and keep Crewe Shedders going", said Graham.
"We have 70 members in total, 56 male members and 14 females at the moment, with more joining each week.
"We voted unanimously to expand and include women."
All adults can come to the shed. The shed benefits from free parking, being situated at the Brierley Business Centre.
You can stay at the shed from 9am to 3:30pm during the week.
The idea for the shed was inspired by a similar men's mental health movement in Australia.
"We have a rule where we say whatever goes on in the shed, stays in the shed," added Graham.
"If you want to talk about anything, your past, your health, you can talk about it openly in here and know that it won't be discussed outside.
"You can talk shoulder to shoulder, while getting on with your work, and share whatever you want. We've had people talking about being abused, or having trouble at home.
"The best thing that happens to these guys and girls is that they can talk.
"They get help with what they are doing on the equipment and tools, but you do it all yourself."
Stroke victim Simon Farr has found new purpose at Crewe Shedders and excels at making intricate things like bowls.
"The atmosphere in the shed now is the best it has been," he said.
"The banter is great. There's enjoyment for people coming to the shed, and I think it is because they see the progress that we are putting into it to keep going."
"If I could come here seven days a week, I would.
"You look at the transformation on some of the ladies who came in and were so nervous about using tools, but now they are confidently using band saws, chop saws, belt sanders."
"And the best thing about the ladies is they clean up," joked Graham.
"They've also started off a nice tradition of bringing toast in on a Friday, which we all do now."
Here's how it works: you pay for a membership fee depending on how much you plan to visit.
The workshop is open every weekday. It costs £2 to come one day a week, or £12 for the month if you would like to come more often.
All the money goes back into the charity, which is lucky to receive donations for materials from many independent and chained hardware stores from Crewe or beyond.
Membership includes tea and biscuits you can enjoy on-site, while you create handmade goods and gifts in good company.
"I've been coming here for 12 years," added Simon.
"But have only recently joined with Graham to help run the shed.
"Me and Graham really do work well together.
"I want to put back in to the shed, what the shed has done to help me. To say thank you to the shed, and the guys that have helped me.
"The shed has helped me through my depression, it has saved my life four times.
"I've even brought my dad here."
As well as providing a space where people can talk, be creative and learn new skills, Crewe Shedders also runs a benevolent fund.
This helps those who are struggling to pay their bills, and can also pay for a day out for Shedders, with one held in the summer and one just before Christmas.
Graham, a former sales manager, lives and breathes the shed. This is despite the fact that all of the shed's volunteers are unpaid.
"There's no such thing as chairman, treasurer and trustees in the shed, we are all equal," Graham explained.
"I don't do this for me, I do it for the people that come here.
"When Simon announced I got another grant from a Crewe car manufacturer, the cheer that went out, was worth all the hard work for me.
"When we get funding, to see the smiles from people to know we are not closing, that makes it worth it for me. Seeing people progress within themselves as they keep coming to the shed, that helps me to go on.
"I don't give up. If I'm on the sofa at night, I'll get my phone out and start doing emails which will help the shed. And Simon does the same.
"As long as I'm alive, the shed will keep going. I've had one week of holiday over the past twelve months, because the shed comes first."
"In the future, we'd like a refurbishment. We'd also like to make our building more wheelchair friendly, so more people with wheelchairs can come.
"It would be nice to have the facilities and the people do to metalwork as well, which we currently don't do.
"One thing we would really like is a plasma cutter, which means we can engrave things. So when we make things like dog bowls, pens or place mats, we can engrave the name on the side.
"I'd also love a computer so we could get a computer course going, to get some of our older members used to using computers.
"We would just like to say thank you to every person or business who has supported us.
"We never turn anyone away. So if you'd like to come and see what we are all about, please visit us."
When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to you and the Co-op gives the same to local communities.
It doesn't cost you a penny to raise money for local causes, just become a Co-op Member and shop as you please.
Just make sure you select Crewe Men in Sheds / Crewe Shedders on the Co-op app if you want your money to go to them!
Crewe: Become a Co-op member today online at this webpage or join in-store. It costs just a pound to join.
You can also show Crewe Shedders some support by giving them a like on Facebook.
They are not the only Crewe-based cause Co-op Members can raise money for this year.
Crewe organisations also getting funds raised for them by the Co-op include Crewe Clean Team, Hope + Coffee, and Visyon.
Crewe: Click on this link to find out more about the Local Community Fund.
Crewe Shedders faced closure last summer, as reported by Crewe Nub News at the time. But the charity is now looking forward to the future.
Beyond the Co-op funding, the group is currently looking for a more sponsors. This is to create a bespoke lunch room.
They have permission for a new 10ft shipping container, which will be a new painting room, and then they would like to create space to eat lunch without the smell of paint, or sawdust in your sandwiches.
And as the charity grows and grows, they require more space, so hope to bring this extension to reality.
A sponsor would have the new paint room named after them. If you are interested in sponsoring this new project, please email [email protected].
"From a personal point of view, I really want to win the lottery. My thoughts if we ever won the lottery would be to get us a brand new place for everyone to come," concluded Graham.
In addition to the Co-op funding, if you'd like to make a donation to Crewe Shedders, please email [email protected].
They even take commissions. (Image - Crewe Nub News)
See Also: Children's mental health charity with Crewe office thanks the Co-op for funding boost
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