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Men's Shed moves to new home in Essex pumping station

TOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC Two men hold hammers in front of a workbench while a crowd watch onTOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC
Local residents with an interest in woodwork attended the open day at the pump house on Thursday

A community group that works to reduce isolation among older men has moved to a permanent home.

Aveley Men's Shed held an open day at the historic water pumping station at Davy Down near North Stifford, Essex, on Thursday.

The group will hold carpentry and joinery workshops where men can learn new skills and meet like-minded people.

The pump house, which was in use until the 1970s, is being loaned to the group by Essex & Suffolk Water.

TOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC Alan Marks, Aveley Men;s Shed chairmanTOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC
Alan Marks, chairman of Aveley Men's Shed, said the local branch had been searching for a new venue for four years
TOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC The water pump house at Davy Down, a high-ceiling, dark brick building with four arched windows and an arched entranceTOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC
The Davy Down pumping station ran on diesel engines until the 1970s when it supplied water around Thurrock

Alan Marks, chairman of Aveley Men's Shed, said the workshop would give men the chance to build relationships and participate in group learning.

He said the group had received "fantastic" feedback following the open day, and said the work they've done has made the building "come alive again."

Dan Thompson, Essex Shed Network project lead, said the activities could have a "profound" effect on the mental health of those who attend.

He said the "shoulder to shoulder" environment meant that attendees started to open up after going to the club for about six months.

TOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC Dan Thompson, Essex Shed Network project leadTOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC
Dan Thompson, Essex Shed Network project lead, said the group offered a space for men to talk
TOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC Small groups of men engage in conversation in front of two ten foot water pump enginesTOM LARSEN-WRIGHT/BBC
The building, which features two giant diesel engines, has been fitted out with workbenches and woodwork machines

The site, which is owned by Essex & Suffolk Water, is occasionally used for educational visits.

Helen Jacobs, Conservation team Leader for Essex & Suffolk Water, said: "I am so pleased to see it become the home to a charity group that needs it, as much as it needs them."

The Men's Sheds project works across the UK, bringing men together through learning different skills like metalworking and gardening.

There are currently more than 30 sheds in Essex.

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