In June last year we awarded a funding contribution to Petworth Community Garden. They are a thriving community allotment on a social housing estate, supporting low-income locals to grow organic fruit and vegetables. They work with around 80 disadvantaged locals of all ages and abilities to improve mental health, nutrition and wellbeing through various projects. They have wheelchair accessible paths, raised beds, and a solar activity shed/kitchen.
One of the new pieces of equipment that was purchased was a new powerful nail gun which has made a huge difference in their ability to work on larger projects. At £130 this was a lot of money for them to allocate on a single tool, but our funding has enabled them to make this purchase. The nail gun makes the initial construction of projects so much faster and that also extends to smaller projects too - so they say it has been a godsend.
They also invested in a jigsaw which has made some jobs much more accurate and easier. Although they say they are keen to keep using their hand powered tools, the battery powered tools also give some members who might not be so adept at using a particular saw, the opportunity to do a certain job.
In addition, they have also bought an impact driver. Some members with a physical disability struggled with using a hand screwdriver and a normal battery powered driver can also be difficult to use. The impact driver has increased the accessibility to more of the basics needed for making some of their items and as such is empowering for those members, allowing them to complete more tasks on their own.
We have had great feedback from their Men’s Shed members. They say that they like the relaxed atmosphere, and find it has a very happy and friendly atmosphere. Everyone is friendly, relaxed and everyone is made to feel very welcome.
One member has said, "The Mens Shed has helped me to do a lot of things that I never thought I would be able to and I've learnt new skills which I am able to put to good use when I am away from the Men's shed".
Another member, in referring to working with others said, "There's also been the socialisation and sharing of topics or just human experiences from our own lives."
It has now become a regular feature of the mens lives. When one man was asked what he would do if there wasn't the group he replied, "The honest answer is I don't know, I would stay at home with nothing to do, I would be lost.
A brief story of a new member benefitting from the group.
R.D. an elderly man) had been suffering from extreme anxiety and was on strong medication for it. He went to the men's shed as he felt that despite his anxiety he needed to get out of the house more.
He started to go to the Men's Shed and found that the company was ideal for him, otherwise he would always struggle to get going in the morning, and would need to wait for his medication to start working. In his own words he found that going to the group "blew the cobwebs away" and helped to "provide a sense of normality" to his emotional and mental health. Although he didn't necessarily feel the need to make something like the other guys, just being in the company of the group and having a chat whilst enjoying the refreshments has made all the difference to him.
We are very happy to have been able to assist Petworth Community Garden with their great work.