Men’s Shed taken to Middlesbrough care home

A WORKSHOP initiative to get men socialising, sharing skills and knowledge has gone on the road so elderly care home residents can get involved.

Middlesbrough Men’s Shed went to The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, to deliver a planting session for the home’s residents.

The initiative usually meets at the Berwick Hills Community Allotment but brought activities to the care home so residents who would be unable to participate, due to mobility issues, can get involved.

Sophie Rowney, community project manager at Groundwork North East and Cumbria, led the session at The Gables Care Home.

She said: “We like to think of our shed as an extension of a normal man’s shed at home. It can be a place of solace to pursue hobbies, but our shed can also be a place of company; a place to meet like-minded people and do something constructive with your free time.”

Pam Rodgers, home manager at The Gables Care Home, said: “Today we did some planting with eight of our men, who all thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Sadly, due to health reasons, John Purvis could not come to the dining room, so we took it to him as he loves gardening. He was showing staff member Linda Dimmick how to plant.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Sophie and the rest of the Groundwork North East and Cumbria team for bringing the Men’s Shed initiative to us.

“We hope to take part in further sessions and, hopefully when the weather improves, we’ll be able to come along to the allotments.”