THE UK Men’s Sheds Association is coming to Black Park Country Park this September.

The organisation seeks to create spaces where men can socialise and collaborate on a wide range of practical tasks. Each shed is well-stocked with power tools, workbenches, and welding equipment. Although men of any age are welcome, the organisation is particularly focused on older, retired men, many of whom find themselves isolated, bored, or lonely after leaving work.

A council outbuilding adjacent to the old sawmill in Black Park is being repurposed and upgraded by the organisation. There are over 420 such sheds across the UK, supporting 10,000 ‘shedders.’ The new Black Park Shed will allow men to work together or independently on carpentry and metalworking, or through finer skills such as electronics, gardening, or model-making.

Victoria Little, director of services at the Men’s Sheds Association said: “Over 11 million men in the UK are over 50, and that number is rapidly growing. Women tend to be better at building social connections, so these men’s sheds were built to help get men together. Many men get a lot of joy from fixing things up in their sheds, but that tends to be quite a solitary task. These sheds make that experience more social and communal.”

The outbuilding is being cleared on September 9 from noon to 6pm. Anybody interested in becoming a part of the new community is invited to come a long to help out, or speak to the team about what the shed will offer.

For more information, contact Tim Williams on 01753 511060 or email twilliams@buckscc.gov.uk.