Seven projects that improve health and wellbeing through friendship and activities have shared £25,000 in funding from Swansea Council.
The grants have been provided to new and existing groups to support an expansion of Men’s Sheds in the city to help reduce loneliness and isolation.
Swansea Community Workshop on High Street will use its grant to purchase a wood burner so visitors can attend its existing Men’s Shed in all months of the year.
Volunteers will also install pottery wheels to offer new opportunities to develop skills, a vinyl cutter to generate income by selling planters with customer’s logos on and a sandblaster to improve glass workshops offered.
Trustee John O’Brien said: “We started a Men’s Shed about four years ago for men and women looking to pursue DIY, woodcraft and other hobbies where they learn new skills and share theirs while also helping community projects.
“Our premises have undergone progressive refurbishment with new studios for stained glass and pottery added and we are grateful to Swansea Council for the support which will help us expand our offer even further. Anyone interested in joining or volunteering will be made very welcome.”
Other existing projects to secure funding in this year’s round of grants are the Action Shack in Manselton, the Eagle’s Nest at Penllergaer Valley Woods, Summit Good in Dunvant, The Old Blacksmith’s in Clydach and Swansea Wellbeing Centre on Walter Road.
The emerging Men’s Shed at Ynystawe Cricket Club has also had a grant to build on the work it has done providing a place for people to meet and chat during the pandemic by expanding to offer gardening, wood working and so much more.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Better Communities, Cllr Alyson Pugh, said: “Men’s Sheds have a very positive impact on health, well-being and in reducing social isolation by drawing on the wealth of skills and experience that exists within our communities.
“This is the third year that the council has been able to provide substantial direct support via our Tackling Poverty team to these fantastic projects.
“I’ve been lucky enough to visit many of these groups in Swansea to see the life-changing impact they can have on those involved and was especially thrilled to catch-up with the team at the Swansea Community Workshop who do such great work.”
