Community Town Shed provides space for older DIY enthusiasts

Older hobbyists in the seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent, have been busy tinkering away to transform a warehouse space in the town into a community hub for DIY enthusiasts.

The new Broadstairs Town Shed opened in late June, moving to larger premises after the popularity of this group has grown from strength to strength.

Opening its doors for the first time two years ago after winning The People’s Millions funding in 2013, the community Town Shed has provided an important place for retirees to meet up and share a favourite pastime or simply sit back and have a chat in their rise recliner chairs. 

As they explain on the group website: “Joining the Shed can help tackle loneliness and isolation, allows you to share and learn new skills and increases community involvement & engagement.”

Broadstairs Town Shed follows the Men’s Sheds movement that began in Australia, creating a public space where men and women can meet and work on primarily woodwork projects – sharing their skills, tools and conversation with other older DIY enthusiasts.

After six months of renovation, the group was finally able to move into its new warehouse at the end of June. ITV were there to document the moment the ribbon was cut at a grand opening ceremony. 

In an interview with the TV network, one member explained how beneficial the community Town Shed is in allowing the older generation to socialise:

“The word retirement itself suggests an ending to things and it’s not real, it’s not fair. And I think a lot of people reach that point, whatever age they are, and they can feel a bit lost and useless, well some people can.

“In that case this is an excellent thing for them to do because they can come down and they get some sort of friendship here, they get to do things and learn new skills.”

Over 100 people came to the grand opening to see the finished result of months of work. The new warehouse offers even more space to encourage handy retirees in Broadstairs to enjoy a place where they can meet like-minded people and get cracking on a new project.