Fundraiser launched for Lancaster L.A.D.S new indoor home

The new Lancaster based not-for-profit organisation aims to tackle loneliness and create a space for men of all ages to come together to support each other.

The group are hoping to secure £6000 by November 20, so that they can purchase a portable cabin to allow them to continue their work during the colder months.

David Munro, project coordinator for L.A.D.S said: “The project has used a gazebo to work under during the summer and, with the unpredictability of the English weather, we’ve needed it more than we expected!

"But now as we move into the colder and wetter autumn and winter months we urgently need to acquire a more durable and warmer long-term solution for our accommodation. A new indoor home for the Men’s Shed!”

Based at Kanteena, the initiative launched back in March, and despite having to implement Covid-19 restrictions, they have already helped men of all ages to connect, create and have conversations together.

So far the shed has been regularly attracting groups of six-10 men of all ages from mid 30s to mid 80s to benefit from what the Men’s Shed has to offer – woodworking, painting, upcycling and preparing the site for upcoming activities, and is receiving new enquiries all the time.

The initiative has lots of project ideas in the pipeline ranging from:

*A covered outdoor area for market stalls for making and selling pallet planters, which will be open to the public

*Demonstration area for upcycled pallet items for the garden all made from upcycled pallet wood.

*A paint swap store

*Bicycle maintenance project

Men’s Shed projects help foster positive mental and physical health and wellbeing for men who don’t necessarily have the same sorts of social networks as women.

This is especially the case after men have stopped working or experienced other life-changing events such as bereavement or unemployment, which will be more needed than ever due to the effects of Covid-19.

They help fulfil a vital role in providing men with a range of social, recreational and practical activities.

You can support the fundraiser by donating at https://gogetfunding.com/buy-the-lads-a-shed/.