Plan to begin first Men’s Shed in the Triangle area

Earlier this year the Portstewart Inter Church Community Project group conducted a survey in the town in order to determine what the residents felt was needed to make it a flourishing, friendlier and safer place to live. The results are being collated and will be available early next year. However, it became obvious early on that one need was coming out strongly was the need for a Men’s Shed so a decision was made to start work on that straight away. A Men’s Shed is a larger version of the typical man’s shed in the garden – a place where he feels at home and pursues practical interests with a high degree of autonomy. The Shed offers this to a group of such men where members share the tools and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue. They are places of skill-sharing and information learning, of individual pursuits and community projects, of purpose, achievement and social interaction. A place of leisure where men come together to work. Men’s Sheds originated in Australia, to advise and improve the overall health of all males. They normally operate on a local level in the community, promoting social interaction and aim to increase the quality of life. There are over 900 located across Australia, with thousands of active members.They can also be found in Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Finland and Greece. A number are already operating in the Causeway Coast and Glens District Council area but none in the Triangle area. In order to take the idea forward it has been decided to hold a public meeting where the concept can be more fully explained and contacts made. The meeting will take place in Portstewart Town Hall on Thursday, November 26 at 7.30pm. Anyone interested in the project is welcome to attend.