Orkney Men’s Shed, Garson, Stromness, is holding an open meeting on Saturday 10 May and all men aged 18 and over are welcome.
The Shed will be open from 10am giving folk a chance to look around and see the range of what’s on offer.
The Orkney News has been following the evolution of the Orkney Men’s Shed since its very beginning when our late colleague, Nick Morrison, was a member. We popped by on Thursday morning to ask founder, Morgan Harcus, what Saturday’s open meeting was all about.
He explained how The Men’s Shed in Orkney developed in Orkney and which now covers not just Mainland but there are Men’s Sheds in the isles too.
It’s part of a wider movement with its origins in Australia as a support for men and to promote mental health.
The Orkney Men’s Shed has a constitution and a committee of 7 men who keep the cogs running but in order to ensure it is working for men in Orkney it relies on input from its members. The open meeting on Saturday at 11 am is an opportunity for existing and potential members to contribute their views on how it should develop.
There is a huge variety of activities on offer at The Shed but it’s also just a place where men can come together for a cuppa.
The facilities at the premises are on two levels with a lift for those with mobility problems.
Downstairs the workshop is impressive and in here the members can learn how to use the tools and make things needed by other organisations in Orkney – including schools. The workshop is managed by an experienced supervisor who is there two days a week. Morgan Harcus stressed that they would really like to have more men who were able to take on the role as supervisor so that the workshop can be open more often. This would also allow more men to increase their skills in using the workshop equipment.
Like all organisations The Orkney Men’s Shed would like to see men joining who would be committed to attending and helping in its future development. Saturday is a great opportunity to have a say.
The Orkney Men’s Shed is fully accessible and the X1 Stagecoach Bus stops nearby at The Academy.
Click on this link for The Orkney Men’s Facebook page.
Email: Andy Swain, Secretary: aswain.oms@gmail.com
Fiona Grahame
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