A SCHEME bringing together older men to share and learn new skills in the welcoming space of a shed has new sponsors.

The Men in Sheds programme originates from an Australian project started in the 1990s to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest has operated the Bromsgrove group since 2016, and county based Thursfields Solicitors is now sponsoring the scheme.

Shed Share has been in Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, where the group meets, for a year and helps to provide a supportive and friendly setting where anybody can attend.

It is stressed that the scheme is also open to women to attend.

Michelle Hetheridge, director of wills and estates at Thursfields, said: “We are delighted to support the Men in Sheds group.

"As a local company we are always looking for ways in which we can support the local community, and this is a wonderful project to be involved with.”

Thursfields is backing the group after Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest launched an appeal for businesses, groups and individuals to help the group by sponsoring a Shed Share for a year for £100.

Jo Hughes, marketing executive at Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, said: “A big thanks to Thursfields for being the latest company to help make sure we can continue to run this much-valued group.

“Recent studies have highlighted that older men are increasingly experiencing loneliness and that there are very few activities available which appeal to older men, which is why it’s so important that we ensure that initiatives such as Bromsgrove Men’s Sheds can continue.”

The Men in Sheds group meet from 10am to 2pm, Mondays to Thursdays at Unit 1, Metal Ores Industrial Estate, 138 Hanbury Road.