Men in Sheds find new home with Hospiscare

A group in Exeter where men can go to form social connections, share skills and combat loneliness is back up and running thanks to Hospiscare.  

Men in Sheds Exeter was set up 15 years ago to support mainly retired men by providing them with a place they could meet like-minded individuals while repairing machinery and tools and working with metal and wood to make new items.

But in October 2023, the group was forced to close its doors when financial challenges faced by Age UK Exeter meant that tit could no longer use their premises as a workshop. 

But Men in Sheds Exeter have now been given a new home at Hospiscare’s warehouse on Trusham Road on the Marsh Barton trading estate. 

Rhodri Morgan, Director of Retail at Hospiscare, the local hospice charity that supports adults living with life-limiting conditions across the heart of Devon, said: “We were sad to see Men in Sheds lose their original home after 15 years of forming friendships and creating a strong, positive community for its members.

"Both Men in Sheds and Hospiscare exist to support the local community, so sharing our space to enable more people to benefit felt like the perfect solution. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to provide the group with a place where they can once again meet up and continue their important work.”  

John Wilson, a retired schoolteacher and member of Men in Sheds Exeter, said: “We can’t express how grateful we are to Hospiscare for providing us with a place where we can restart the group. For many of our members, coming to Men in Sheds is a social lifeline. Some are going through grief and separation and feel lonely and isolated, others find they’ve lost their sense of self after retirement and want to regain a sense of purpose and community.

"Some members just come along because they want to hone their skills and enjoy themselves. Whatever the reason people come to Men in Sheds, what they find is a listening ear, a chat if they want it, laughter, something to keep their hands and brains occupied - and tea on tap!” 

Men in Sheds member Nick Jarman, a retired nurse, added: “Hospiscare has given us a lifeline. We’re like a phoenix rising out of the ashes now - we’re building back.”  

To show their appreciation to Hospiscare and to support the hospice’s patient care, Men in Sheds are donating many of the items they make and repair to be sold in the charity’s shops, such as bird boxes, garden planters and refurbished garden tools. The group also take on commissions to create one-off items made from wood, such as memorial benches or plaques. 

Now they have a place to call home, Men in Sheds are encouraging new members to join who have a trade or are good with their hands. Membership is £1 on the days members attend, which goes into the refreshments kitty. Operating hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-4pm.  

Men in Sheds is also calling out for donations of equipment and tools they can use for their work or to refurbish to sell at the hospice, such as drills, planes, chisels and DIY equipment. 

Anyone interested in joining or donating equipment or goods can contact John Wilson on 07876 575361 or drop into Men in Sheds at the rear of the Hospiscare Warehouse Shop, accessed via Christow Road on the Marsh Barton trading estate.