Men’s Shed project opens doors

Posted on 13th June 2019 | in Community , Health

Amble’s Men’s Shed opened its doors at the beginning of June, with the aim of providing a calm and creative place for men, especially those suffering from mental health issues.

l-r: Amble Men’s Shed organiser Steve Latimer with Mark Baker from Alnwick Lions, one of the project’s sponsors

Organiser Steve Latimer set up the project after leaving the Army with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and discovering how beneficial the Men’s Shed projects can be.

“I am an Army veteran, discharged in 2004 with mental health problems. I did not get any help with these problems till 2010. Even then combat-related PTSD was really difficult to treat.

“I was rattling as I walked: I was taking so many drugs prescribed by my doctor and psychologist. In 2017, I was sent to combat stress for six weeks’ intensive therapy. This was great when I was there, but I fell apart again soon after I came home.

“For me the best therapy is being around other people, working on projects, not sitting in watching the news, Jeremy Kyle and Judge Rinder.

“I watched Countryfile on BBC;. They did a piece on menssheds.org.uk and this is where my idea first came about. Together with woodwork specialist Les Yorke and Lee Stanfield, who is a prison officer, and the fantastic support of the Amble community, we opened the shed.”

Steve explaned the ethos behind the Men’s Sheds Association. “Men’s Sheds is a proven method of improving the mental health of its members. It helps to stop social isolation, creating friendships, teaching new skills and passing on old ones, getting a sense of pride in completed community based projects,” he said.

The Amble shed is situated behind the Dovecote Centre.Opening days/hours are still being finalised. Prices will be a minimum fee covering tea, coffee and chunky biscuits!

“We are currently in the process of building hen houses and shed bars for back gardens,” said Steve, and he thanked their sponsors: MKM Alnwick, Alnwick Lions, Axminster tools North Shields and The Galley Amble.

The project’s mantra is learn, teach, build, fix and chat… job done. Although this is primarily a men’s project, organisers intend to have open days where families will be welcome.

See www.amblemensshed.co.uk and Facebook for more information.

Anna Williams

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3 thoughts on "Men’s Shed project opens doors"

  1. Colin Stanforth says:

    Well done for starting this. Please let me know when you are ready to accept members as I would love to join you!

  2. Julia Lyford says:

    The Women’s Workshop welcomes the opening of the Men’s Shed in Amble. We are both organisations that recognise the value of safe spaces for both sexes to meet separately, to use and develop practical skills and get support, to feel included and valued and stay well. Happy to promote your activities and hope you will do the same with ours.

  3. Keith Michael Pinder says:

    I was medically discharged in 2002 and I to rattle with meds, no one seems to care and combat stress told me because I have not been to iraq or Afghan I didnt qualify for help, 16 years of 3 in NI and kicked in to touch by all so called charities

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