Wincanton Men’s Shed – Selling Wooden Furniture & Improving Health

As part of its week-long focus on mental health issues last month, the BBC spent some time promoting the usefulness of the Men in Sheds project. The project helps men at a loose end to find somewhere to socialise and to practice their skills, or learn new ones, while making a positive contribution to the local community.

As a direct result of this effort on their part, our own Shed here in Wincanton, based at the Balsam Centre, welcomed eight prospective new members who had seen some of the BBC’s coverage and wanted to know more. Several of them are now joining us on a regular basis.

Since last September, the Wincanton Men’s Shed has moved towards being a self-funded project, with the members paying a small subscription to cover the costs incurred by the Balsam Centre, and making and selling garden furniture and assorted wooden items to raise further funds. This was also helped by a donation of £1,500 secured for us by Somerset Community Foundation to buy new equipment.

If you are at a loose end, and have an interest in woodworking or just in spending some social time with us, please pop along to the Balsam Centre on a Tuesday or Thursday morning to meet some of the Shedders. Alternatively, if you need something made out of wood, get in touch with us (call the Balsam Centre on 01963 31842) and see if we can make it for you.

Our products so far have ranged from small bird boxes up to large garden planters, and a variety of things in between; a sample of our wares is on display in the Balsam Centre reception. If it’s made out of wood, and it can be put together with a hammer, drill or screwdriver, we can build it for you!

If you’re thinking of visiting a garden centre for wooden furniture, why not drop in and see if you can save money and support your local community at the same time?

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