Longridge Men’s Shed opens its doors to provide crucial network of support

Longridge Men’s Shed is based in Warwick Street. Pic: Kieren Spencer.

A councillor has spoken of his pride after a Men’s Shed opened in Longridge to provide an open door

According to the UK Men’s Shed Association, these are spaces in which people are encouraged to get together to not only mend and repurpose items, but also tackle loneliness and isolation in the process.

Longridge Men’s Shed opened in Warwick Street earlier this month and will initially be open on Tuesdays from 5-9pm.

Kieren Spencer, who is the borough councillor for Longridge’s Derby and Thornley ward and is also a town councillor, said the idea was sparked when three men separately approached Longridge Town Council and asked whether the Men’s Shed concept could be established in the area.

He said: “It all started with those three men. The process to get it set up has taken over a year because it has been difficult to find a suitable place for the Men’s Shed.

“Key to it all has been Robert Walker. When he joined the town council and heard what we were trying to achieve he put forward his workshop on Warwick Street and it proved to be ideal for the group.

“Longridge Men’s Shed is now being run by committee and their first session attracted 20 people to the meeting, which was great.”

Kieren said it was a trip to a Men’s Shed in Blackburn which really made him realise how important these spaces could be.

He said: “Talking to people in Blackburn it became clear it had been a life saver for some of them. One of them told me that if he had not been at the Men’s Shed he would not be alive. That really showed me the impact it was having on real people.”

The Men’s Shed concept encourages attendees to participate in practical activities, for example woodwork, and Kieren believes this is a key part of getting men to open up with one another.

He added: “I am really passionate about mental health and wellbeing, but men sometimes struggle to speak and they are more likely to do it when they are doing something practical.”

You can learn more about the Men’s Shed in Longridge by visiting its Facebook page.

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