What are Community Sheds?

Community Sheds are spaces where people can come together to take part in practical skills and activities.

Also known as Men’s Sheds or activity sheds, they are designed and run by their members to give people the chance to share tools, talents and resources in order to be creative, learn new skills and make friends.

The activities that takes place in them is up to the individual members. We’ve seen traditional crafts such as joinery, furniture renovation, metal work and mechanics, each shed meets the interests of its members. They may be known as Men’s Sheds but they aren’t exclusively for men and they are just as likely to include activities such as gardening, model making, photography or baking.  The possibilities are endless…

Helping your talent shine

Working with the national Shed Associations, we’re supporting the development of Sheds across Britain.

You can either volunteer as part of an existing service or start your own Community Shed.

Whether this is your first time volunteering or you’re a seasoned volunteer but you’ve never set up a community or activity shed before, we’re here to help so your skills can make a difference.

It’s important that you get as much from your voluntary role as the people you come into contact with. We’ll offer advice to help you start your own Community Shed.

You’re bound to have lots of questions. We can help with things like:

• Keeping the running costs of your Shed down
• How to decide what is best for your Shed
• The types of governance and organisational structures that are available
• Finding sources of funding and putting together a sustainable funding plan
• Health & Safety and Risk Assessments
• Promoting your Shed
• Fundraising activities.

Our volunteers choose to join us for a number of different reasons, but ultimately we hope you’re able to share your talents and skills in a way that works for you.