Camberley Shed helps men build good mental health

"I'd just had enough."

As Neil Baker approached his 60th birthday, he suffered a mental health crisis.

Retiring from a stressful career in financial technology, he was suddenly left with a lot of hours to fill each day.

But Mr Baker soon discovered he was not alone - and what started as a group of friends chatting in a Surrey back garden has grown into the Camberley and District Men's Shed, where working together helps build bridges and mend broken hearts.

The charity, which now has 50 members, has been hard at work building its new home at a former sports pavilion on London Road's recreation ground.

The official opening of the pavilion from 12:00 GMT on Friday by Surrey Heath MP Alasdair Pinkerton will see the group welcome potential new members, show them around the Shed and display some examples of their work.

Its latest projects include renovating benches for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, making shelters for animal charities, mud kitchens for children supported by Barnardo's and planters for care homes.

But it's not just for those who are a dab hand with a toolbox.

"It's about men getting out and doing something, rather than retiring or being on their own," said Mr Baker.

"It's about coming down, getting active in events, projects, bringing their own projects down or even just coming down to watch and have a cup of coffee and chat.

"We've got guys at the shed who are [skilled]- we've got one particular guy who's a carpenter who has been really good at teaching skills, but we've got people who have never done anything at all.

"It's people from all sorts of backgrounds. It's all sorts of people."

He added it's not just for men either, with the group welcoming its first female member to the Shed.

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