News & Events
Jez showing off the new Halesworth Men's Shed website
Make, Repair and Recycle - Now easier than ever thanks to new Halesworth Men's Shed website
Repairing treasured items is now easier, thanks to the Halesworth Men's Shed. It recently launched an updated website, with a fresh look and new features.
The site has two new menu options. The "Repair Request" option allows customers to submit requests online, without leaving the comfort of their homes. A description of the job can be submitted, along with your contact details. Once received at The Shed, the request is checked by one of the members and a quick decision is made about whether the item is likely to be repairable. Photos of the damaged item can be sent by email. If the item is judged to be repairable, customers can then bring the item to the shed for repair. The option can also be used to submit requests for custom built items, such as village noticeboards, which can be difficult to source ready-made.
The new site was built by new member Jez Donaldson, who has a background in IT. "I wanted to make the new website consistent with the national Men's Shed Association's website. I also wanted to introduce new features that would make it easier for Halesworth residents to interact with The Shed without necessarily having to visit", said Mr Donaldson.
The other new menu item - "Join us” - allows potential new members to inquire about joining The Shed.
The Halesworth Shed can also help recycle items such as old hand tools, thanks to its relationship with TWAM, a national charity that ships tools to Africa. The donated tools can help people in rural villages to carry out a trade, such as carpentry or motor repair, and thus earn a living. At least one rural school in Zimbabwe is funded by the staff, who use a donated knitting machine to make knitwear which is then sold to fund the school.
If you have suitable items to donate, please first inquire at The Shed, as storage space is limited.
The new website is online now at http://www.halesworthshed.org.uk.
You're also welcome to drop in. We are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm and Saturdays from 10am to 12pm. We're situated on Norwich road just behind Chinny's. You'll see our sign when you pull in. Please park behind Chinny's as their car park is private.
You can call us on: 01986 835905 or email: shedhalesworth@gmail.com.
Visit by the High Sheriff of Suffolk
High Sheriff, Edward Creasy making the presentation to Trustees
John Lange and Ray Roy
Edward Creasy, the High Sheriff of Suffolk, his wife Penny and Rachel Sloane from the Suffolk Community Foundation visited the Shed on Thursday 16th September. They were welcomed by our Trustees John Lange and Ray Roy with a good dozen or more Shedders on hand to show the party round and share their experiences and endeavours. They were shown round the workshop becoming increasingly impressed with the examples on show and explanations the Shedders gave for the reasons they became members. The camaraderie that the Shed evokes was plainly on show with plenty of laughing and joshing while the tour progressed, also a good deal of serious conversation around the value and contribution of the Shed to members wellbeing and mental health.
The visit concluded with Edward presenting the Shed with a certificate commemorating his visit. He said that the visit had surpassed his expectations and that the stories he had heard about the Shed were more than borne out. He was impressed with the way the Shed has contributed so much to the lives of the members and to the community, as a place where people of widely varying backgrounds, skills and experiences could contribute to and learn from each other in convivial and collegiate surroundings.
Thanks to the Sheriff and his guests and to the Shedders who together made it a memorable visit.
The High Sheriff's party with Shed Members present on the day.
