Introducing Belper Shed at Handley Farm

Since the beginning of 2024, a plan has been afoot to set up a Men’s Shed here on Handley Farm. Known as Belper Shed, open to both men and women, it’s part of the UK Men’s Sheds Association network.

UKMSA promotes spaces like this for:

Connection, conversation and creation – that’s what joining a Men’s Shed is all about.

Men’s Sheds encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose, supporting projects in their local communities.

Improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation.

Chris Fisher, Patron of UK Men’s Sheds, knows first hand of the therapeutic benefits of making and creating on mental health. A regular at the Bull Shed, Chris is part of the team establishing the new shed. Four years after losing his sight in 2008, Chris discovered woodturning, which became a key part of coming to terms with being blind.

Members of the shed will be able to learn new skills or build on existing ones. This might be woodturning, woodwork, DIY, and other crafts.

Work is underway to create a social area (seen above with some of the volunteer team involved in the build), and a workspace which will be equipped with tools and machinery for making, crafting and creating.

This is what the shed looked like when the team started work.

Then, work commenced. A roof was put on and the team started building the walls.

A window went in at the far end, ensuring access to the great views of the Shottle countryside.

Using donated pallets, the team are constructing the wall. This is what it’s looking like today.

The maker space currently holds donated items including furniture for the social area, wood, gates, building materials, benches, tools and equipment, and lots more.

We are extremely grateful for the support we’ve received and the enthusiasm for the new shed.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved - either with the build, spreading the word, securing support and donations, or in many other ways. If you know someone who would benefit from being a Member of the shed, please point them in our direction. Read more about sheds and what they do here.

You can keep up to date with the team’s progress on Facebook. Or, get in touch, if you would like to know more and how you can volunteer.