South Shields men's group celebrate new home with open day

They're getting set to move into a new base.

The Men’s Shed aims to give men a place where they can go to socialise and brush up on their woodwork skills.

After being based previously at Bede’s World in Jarrow, then West Boldon Lodge and South Tyneside College, they were desperate to find somewhere to call their own.

It had been thought the group may have been able to set up home at Brinkburn Community Centre, but were unable to find a room able to meet their needs.

And without their own place, the group were finding it hard to access funding.

Now, that has all changed following an appeal for premises and on Wednesday they will officially open the doors to the group’s new base at Unit 17, Hutton Street, South Shields.

Tom Brownlee, chairman of the group, said: “We will be opening the Men’s Shed up to the public to come down and have a look at our new base and find out more about what we do.

“They can see some of the work we have already done and are doing, and the items we have for sale.

“It also gives men, who are thinking about joining us, the chance to find out more.”

The group, set up with the help of Age UK South Tyneside, is for those aged 55 who are interested in woodwork, and is aimed to promote wellbeing and social inclusion.

Those who attend are able to practice their skills, creating projects of their choosing at their own pace as well as share their skills with one another.

The open day will be officially launched by the Mayor of South Tyneside Coun Olive Punchion and will take place on Wednesday from 10am until 3pm.

The group currently has 15 regular members who attend weekly sessions, however, with new premises they hope to extend the number of days they are open.

For details on Men’s Shed call Mr Brownlee on 0743 4842639.