Grant given to help Cowes Men in Sheds after Covid-19

A £5,000 grant made available from the National Emergencies Trust and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will continues to support the 91 members of Cowes Men's Shed — both men and women — provide community facilities in safe, well-supervised areas as part of their outreach programme.

The group is helping give a safe haven for people who are falling through the cracks and while not necessarily physically ill may be experiencing mental health issues as a result of Covid-19.

The Shed's project leader, Adam Martin, has undertaken counselling, mental health and suicide prevention training which will be able to help those who need it.

He said: "Thank you very much to DCMS, NET and HIWCF for providing this funding, which is essential to ensure that we are able to carry out our work to make a real difference to people’s lives."

The project has been engaging members in the Shed gardens with a noticeably therapeutic effect. It allows people to enjoy the sunshine, the bird song and other wildlife, providing a breath of fresh air that has a positive effect on members’ physical and mental health.

The fund is being administered by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HWICF).

Jonathan Cheshire OBE, HIWCF chairman said: "We are delighted to be able to support Storeroom2010’s Cowes Men’s Shed in their work to help those in need in the local community.

"Local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations are providing a lifeline to those less fortunate, and it is heartening to see these organisations have reacted so quickly and have been so resourceful in the face of the pandemic. The vital services these organisations provide are more crucial now than ever before but are under threat more than at any other time.

"HIWCF is continuing to raise funding for charities across our region, for which donations can be made to the ‘We’re All Together’ Fund: virginmoneygiving.com/fund/AllTogether ”.