Banbridge Mens Shed Startup Fund

Our aim is to re-socialise our more mature members of our society, that have become

marginalised by technology and modern norms.

We hope to start an all inclusive community that gives people that are lonely, a

meeting point that is warm friendly and safe. They will have access to mental health

advise and someone to talk to. We will be able to provide guest speakers that are

experts on mental health give talks and provide literature on how to look after ones

mental health. We will also be able to provide training on mindfulness and teach

basic counselling skills, so that any one can become a listener to those who wish to

join.

We will also deal with keep fit especially for the over 50s. As modern research

has found that weight lift especially helps promote mental and physical good health,

so the provision of some basic gym equipment will be of gret benefit to our members

and the community in general.

There will also group walks in the local area that can incorporate learning of

local history along with keep fit, as funding means we will be able to have local

historians to come along and give talks. The learning of local history can operate both

ways as our members will have a lot of knowledge of their own to impart. During

these walks we will be able to teach our members how to look around and observe

and take notice of who and what is around them.

With your funding we hope to provide good tools and quality training for the

use of our members so that they can learn new skills and help others in the local

community. The tools are many and varied and will constitute a steep learning curve

for many as need for learning new technology will have to be provided for to learn

Computers, computer aided design and 3D printing. As 3D printing will become

more prevalent for a lot of DIY jobs. We will also be providing good tools such as

drill, sanding machines and other types of cutting tools and will require the

prerequisite safe operating practices to be learned. We can also offer classes on

painting, guitar and other artistic skills.

We also hope to give back to the community, by supply a pool of skilled people

who can decorate, repair or build for those who cannot.

In summary, with your funding we will be providing a community support

network that hopes to improve the quality of life of our more mature members of

society, a place to safely socialise, learn new skills for the modern world and have a

path to mentally and physically healthier life