We were delighted to be invited to the Debenham Shed Re-Opening Ceremony last week.
First formed in 2018, the Debenham Shed works to combat the loneliness and isolation of retired or widowed older men and others. Many have skills or practical interests they can share, and the Debenham Shed offers space and a range of hand and machine tools to meet and do this. Participants from a variety of villages local to Debenham, work on their own or joint projects, which could be DIY, carpentry, machinery restoration, furniture restoration, classic cars, electrical skills, or even computer maintenance and IT skills. Some come just to chat.
Before COVID-19 struck, they were meeting on a Friday afternoon in a 40 ft adapted container, but this space did not allow for social distancing, so they had to close and rethink their future.
At the beginning of 2021, they embarked on a major expansion project, which is when our involvement with them began. They manged to get a bid into our Community Benefit Fund just before the deadline and we were pleased to donate, along with other organisations, to their plans.
These involved taking delivery of three more shipping containers donated by Felixstowe Docks, joining them together to create a large space, lining them with insulation and plywood, installing electrics, lighting, and heating, and making workbenches. They are now erecting a roof over the structure which will create lean-to areas for outside working and are looking forward to being able to implement the last part of the project, installing a fully accessible toilet.
It was lovely to see their plans so close to fruition and touching to see their values in action, values that seem identical to our own of thinking ahead, adapting, being flexible and focussed, valuing our relationships and collective strength; and growing ourselves to grow others.
Sessions are available on Friday afternoons from 2pm, so if you, or someone you know, could benefit from attending these sessions, find the Debenham Shed on Facebook here or email debenhamshed@gmail.com for more information
