The Men’s shed is an international not for profit organisation that provides a space for craftwork and social interaction. The movement started in Australia in the 1980s to improve the health and well being of older men. Since then some of the Sheds have been set up to reflect our society, whatever the age or gender, but they continue to have similar aims and functions.
Our shed in Llanelli is one of these. It has, since it started 7 years ago, built up a huge clientele over the years with the wonderful work that they have fabricated. The men and women who work there as volunteers make their clients very happy. The shed volunteers are very pleasant to their clients and are always willing to help and make bespoke artefacts to order.
NOW they have a big problem. They are going to have to move because the landlord needs to sell the property.
We are sending a message with this article to anyone in Llanelli who can help us, including all the Councils.
We need another building not too far from the Town Centre. It could be an old church or an old school which is no longer in use. It would be helpful if there was parking attached. Our current premises are very small anyway. We would like to be more involved with the community and if we could have more space we could do a great deal more and have more volunteers. We have a healthy waiting list to join us but we are constricted by this lack of space.
If we manage to gain a property, due to the wonderful people of Llanelli, that might have an end date, even if it was for a few years, the landlord/Council could get the building back in a better state than it was before.
We do not object to minor repairs as we can accommodate these with our own skills. This would be negotiated with the landlord/Council.
We have in our vicinity various properties which have been vacant for a number of years.
The prime example of this is Copperworks School. About 5 years ago we approached the County Council and asked if we could use it. It would have been perfect for us. The Council refused this request for whatever reason.
The school has since been left to decay and we have struggled in a small space to make a very successful Men’s shed, a not for profit organisation. We would still like to have the school as most of the repairs we can do ourselves.
It would have been fantastic if we could have had that property 5 years ago as it would be in a better state than it is now. The best case scenario would be that we could have the school now as a present from the Council. The school would then become an amazing workshop for the people of Llanelli under the guidance of the Men’s shed.
It is a shame that in our vicinity there are a few vacant properties that would fit our purpose and have been falling into decay.
We are hoping that this article reaches someone or a Council that has a property available.
To sum up, with your help, we could have more volunteers that are waiting to be accepted but lack of space inhibits us from doing so. A contact email will be:
johneanderson21549@yahoo.co.uk
We could do so much more for the people of Llanelli , which includes our wonderful volunteers, both men and women, and would develop the health and well being of all concerned.
PLEASE HELP US
Contact me I may have some options for the men shed
Hi Neil could you email me with information please.