‘Have you heard of the Bexley Men In Sheds?’

Men In Sheds Bexley is a social group run by Age UK Bexley under the management of their Community Development Project Officer, Emily Willey. It is a community-based group which enjoys making and selling items for the community. It helps people learn new skills and to try something new. Their latest addition ‘get bike ready’ involves a new bicycle club that tries to “get people who may not be confident on the bike” to try it safely. At the moment a bicycle is required to join but they are looking at bicycle maintenance sessions to “enable people to repair their bikes” and get back on them.

A community garden was also built by The Men In Sheds, They grow and maintain bamboo, and rhubarb is currently growing there. Many of the social events include tea and coffee breaks. These gatherings are great for friendships in the local area of Bexley.

The Men In Sheds group is a part of Age UK Bexley community care. Age UK is a charity that helps older members of the community and runs other support and aid such as day-care which is a part of the care sector. The community side helps with mental health, reducing social isolation, and keeping fit and active. Doctors have prescribed Age UK Bexley’s services to help with loneliness as it helps with making new friends. The Men In Sheds group is very effective in helping mental wellbeing as they can chat and joke in different environments.  

The Men In Sheds team have been asked to make personalized orders for their community such as Bob Saker’s famous “scatter cats”.  These are cat’s head murals that scare off birds of the garden away from fruit trees. Discovered during his pursuit of a full bowl of cherries, have been very successful within the community. They are made, designed, and hand-painted by the Men In Sheds. Other commissions include a wooden Father Christmas on his slay decoration, and the plant pot man.

“For a few years, my cherry tree had lost all its cherries”. So, I hung heads of cardboard cats and the birds stayed away. From then on, I made some wooden ones. It’s the first year I had a full bowl of cherries”- Bob Saker on how he came up with the idea of Scatter Cats.

They also sell some of the items they make at fairs. This all raises money for the project helping to make it self-sufficient. However additional funding is required, and donations are received to kick-start projects. Other donations include wood and materials which are always welcome.

The cycling club runs weekly on Fridays at 10:30. They often stop for a cup of tea and a natter. Whilst the men in sheds runs weekdays from 9:30 to 3:30. To get involved please contact Men In Sheds Bexley over the phone: 07780 655185/ 0208 300 0883  email: emily.willey@ageukbexley.org.uk or on their website: www.meninshedsbexley.com. DA8 3DH is the location of the Men in Sheds UK Bexley base.

I interviewed Emily Willey, Age UK Bexley, Community Development Project Officer.