A WOMEN in Sheds project has held its last session in Hartford ahead of a move to Winsford – but hopes of a new group in the village remain.

The Age UK programme began as a six-month pilot in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength, and will soon move to the new Winsford shed with two sessions a week rather than one.

Following on from the well-established and hugely successful Men in Sheds project, it aimed to offer women the same opportunities of learning new skills and forming new friendships.

The final official session in Hartford took place today, Friday, although its members are now reaching out to the community to try and source funding to carry on independently.

One member said: “We were only told three weeks ago with five weeks’ notice, so it was a complete shock to us

“It’s a real shame. It’s such a good community spirit we have here

“A lot of women have the same issues as men but a lot have additional carer responsibilities as well. They are isolated and the group really does make the difference.

“If there is no alternative here in Hartford we really want to set up an independent community group for the Friday sessions – we don’t want to stop.

“We would need some funding, and some help with running the sessions.”

Another member added: “We are all very sad because some of us can’t get to Winsford – not all of us have the transport of the time to get there. It’s such a shame because it’s a little lifeline for a lot of members. “

The Men in Sheds sessions at Hartford, held four days a week from Monday to Thursday, will continue unaffected.

Lucy Welsh, from Age UK, said: “We set up Women in Sheds as a pilot in 2017 – we had a small avenue of funding to deliver sessions for the women on Fridays.

“We have since opened a completely separate shed in Winsford, and the idea was always going to be that it would be two days a week in Winsford.

“The provision is not disappearing, but rather moving from Northwich to Winsford and opening two days a week rather than one.

“If the women want to come to Winsford then that’s great, but we would be really keen to support them to set up in their own right in Northwich in the future.”

Anyone who can offer support or advice with funding for the existing Women in Sheds Hartford members can email gillheddon@hotmail.com