What is a Men’s Shed?

Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun. Find out more about them.

Contact Cambourne Men’s Shed

If you are interested in joining Cambourne Men’s Shed, or want to find out more information, then please email cambournemensshed@gmail.com.

Key Information

Founding of Group

Cambourne Men’s Shed was founded as an Unincorporated Association on Tuesday, November 29 at the inaugural AGM meeting. For further details see the:

Committee

  • Chair: Greg Thompson
  • Vice-Chair: Mahesh Hettiarachchi 
  • Secretary: John Panrucker
  • Treasurer: Kishore Anand

Key Documentation:

Additional documentation will be created as Shed activities progress.

Bank Account

  • A Community Group type bank account has been established with Metro Bank (Cambridge branch).

Insurance

Activities

Grant Funding

  • An application to Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cultivate Cambs fund was successful and £2000 will shortly be paid into the Cambourne Men’s Shed bank account.
  • A further application has been submitted to CPSL Mind’s Good Life fund. A follow up meeting with a Good Life fund representative will be arranged between May 16-18.

The priorities for grant funding will be to cover the costs of establishing and operating the shed (e.g. insurance, room hire, safety equipment), purchasing tools and materials for Shed projects, fitting out premises, UK Mens Shed Association membership, Volunteer training, food and drink and promotional materials.

Engagement with UKMSA Ambassador Programme

  • A request was submitted to UKMSA to receive assistance from their Ambassador Programme, which seeks to help new Sheds become established.
  • We held a very informative meeting with UKMSA Ambassador Bob Adams, Trustee from Cressing Temple Community Shed, Braintree, Essex (see the minutes of the meeting).
  • Subsequent to this meeting, Bob has arranged further meetings with representatives of Shed’s within the Cambridgeshire area at which Cambourne Men’s Shed Secretary, John Panrucker, has been present.
  • Further meetings will be held with the objective of establishing a Cambridgeshire Men’s Shed Network to enable partnership and information sharing between Sheds in the County.

Engagement with other Cambridgeshire Sheds

  • The committee has established communication with, or contacts for, other Sheds in the Cambridgeshire area via the above referenced meetings and information provided by the County Council as part of the Cultivate Cambs grant application process. The committee will follow up on these contacts establish links with other Sheds and aid moves toward establishing a network.

Potential shared use of Cambridge Men’s Shed

  • The committee has received the kind offer of potentially sharing the facilities at Cambridge Men’s Shed, which is based in the grounds of Madingley Hall. Committee members will visit an upcoming Cambridge Men’s Shed session at Madingley to meet fellow Shedders and further discuss this potential collaboration.

Potential use of South Cambs District Council building

  • A meeting will shortly be scheduled between Greg Thompson, John Vickery (Cambourne Town Clerk) and a representative of South Cambs District Council to discuss potential use of the District Council building as a premises for Cambourne Men’s Shed. The District Council are re-purposing some areas of the building.

Potential Projects

  • The committee has been approached by the local Wildlife Trust regarding building bird boxes for the Cambourne area.

Events

  • The committee has been approached by Cambridgeshire ACRE about participation on a guided walk to the recently refurbished Bourn Windmill. Email invite has been sent to members.

Next Steps

  • Commence Cambourne Men’s Shed meetings in the meeting room (meet up for tea/coffee, discuss potential projects/initiatives and a general chat).
  • Determine potential meeting dates and times based on availability of the Hub Meeting room (in progress).
  • Continue to work on critical documentation (e.g. risk assessment)
  • Continue to seek additional funding.
  • Continue to seek permanent premises.

Reference Material