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Learn new skills in a shed
4:00pm Friday 16th May 2008
AGE Concern Cheshire is hoping to start a project which will see elderly men learn new skills - in a shed.
The charity, based at the Hartford Business Centre, hopes to build a shed at the site, so men in the area can come along and interact with the community.
Everyone we have spoken to so far is interested in taking part. The shed will be fully equipped and the men will be able to come and talk to us
Barbara Lawson, funding officer for Age Concern Cheshire
They will be encouraged to learn new skills, contribute to their community, make friends and be made aware of health programmes.
Barbara Lawson, funding officer for Age Concern Cheshire, said they were the first in the country to try and start the scheme.
"We are aiming this at older men to get them out of the house and meet people," she said.
The charity needs £15,000 to get the project under way and Barbara said the response so far had been encouraging.
She added: "Everyone we have spoken to so far is interested in taking part. The shed will be fully equipped and the men will be able to come and talk to us."
There is a similar project which has been in operation in Australia since 2002, and it has seen numbers increase with more than 200 sheds' built in the country.
Les Gatley, 82, and Malcolm Bird, learning centre co-ordinator at Age Concern Cheshire first discussed the idea when Les attended a computer course at the centre.
Les, who is to act as volunteer project advisor and consultant, said: "We are trying to bring it to Cheshire. Old men sometimes get in a downwards cycle and they find it difficult to meet people. We are hoping that the shed will give them somewhere where they can meet others."
Malcolm added: "We do loads of courses, but we don't do anything specific towards the male population.
"I thought it would be good to have people come down and have a chat and a cup of tea, without necessarily having to do anything."
If you are interested in helping out call Age Concern Cheshire on 0845 618 2858.
What do you think about the scheme? Let us know at northwichguardian.co.uk/forums.
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Malcolm Bird, from Age Concern, and Les Gatley, co-ordinator for the new project, shows one of the skills that will be available for elderly men to try out.
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