WInter warmer bag of goodies

Bernard & Terry discuss the contents of one of Southway's housing's bag of goodies to help tackle the cold in the coming winter

Yesterday (27-11-18) some of us went over from the Men In Sheds(MiS) on Merseybank parade to take a look at the Barlow Moor Community Association (BMCA) "WinterWarner" event for older people on the estate. As it felt freezing in MiS at the time (coldest day yet)  it was great to get warm and have a hot bowl of soup. 

Also Southways Housing were giving out bags of goodies to "vulnerable" older people (I think any older person would benefit from the kit). In them were a range of things to help people to keep warm as the weather gets colder, In this interview Bernard interviews Terry as we look at the items in the bag and give our commentary on them

Terry talks about how coming to Men in Sheds has helped to overcome social isolation and we encourage other older people to come along and get involved

Bike stands and a cold, wet day 27-11-18

The Sheffield Bike stands (3 of them) arrived today, so Rick and John were out at the front, trying to work out where was best to put them. There were 11 of us there today for either a short or long time, 9 men plus Claire, a community care navigator based at WIthington Hospital and June who was here to learn about working with her jigsaw

This board isn't really big enough for storing tools, but I like the Christmas touches  (the red rings)

Yuseff came in today. There's his mobility scooter outside which he renovated himself. We hope he will become fully involved in the Shed as he has many skills

Farewell to Hywel

Farewell to Hywel

Sadly (for us) this week was Hywel's last one at the Men in Sheds on Merseybank Avenue. He is moving back to South Wales where his family comes from. Hywel helped found the South Manchester Men in Sheds and has been an important member ever since. We shall miss him and wish him well. 

Hywel is also a teacher of Aikido, a form of Japanese martial arts. In fact, that is how we met as his Chorlton Aikido class took place next to the Chorlton Good Neighbours office. As a result of our meeting we decided to try and set up a Chorlton based Men in Sheds

Here are some photos from Tues 20th Nov. Rick is pictured helping finish off some stacking shelves for the Charity shop 3 doors down, and Bob & Chrsi are seen giving some training to June in using an electric drill to prepare a tool board & using rawlplugs to put it on the wall

Work has already started on mending bikes in some lovely Autumn sunshine

 Meanwhile, Bob & Chris model the lastest  in shorts for older men

Support Men in Sheds via the Co-op Local Community Fund

Please support South Manchester Men in Sheds project in Chorlton . As a Co-op member you can opt to back us and 1% of what you spend on Co-op branded products and services will go to our project membership.coop.co.uk/causes/20009

Dolls House and Bike Repairs

Jim has taken on mending and painting the doll's house that Hywel had brought in. I am sure his young children will enjoy playing with the finished product 

Meanwhile, we had a visit from Ilyas who lives round the corner in Rylestone Avenue. Bob went round to his house to see how he could help fix a problem with an internal door and then Ilyas brought round a bike which Sal helped him to repair. As a recent immigrant Ilyas's English is not very good, Sal was able to translated for him

Ilyas & Bob

Sal helping to Fix Ilyas's bike, with Terry preparing 

puncture patches in the backgrouns

 

 Pop up Shop, Quids in and the New Charity Shop

The Pop up shop is 2 doors down from SMMiS. This where the Quids in Food Club is based.  Quids In offers up to £15 worth of food for just a £2 weekly membership fee, which helps pay Fareshare, the charity that supplies the food. Unlike food banks, Quids In is a membership offering fresh and chilled items that can be difficult to find and expensive to buy locally


They had a craft session yesterday when
  
Rick & I went round to say hello. They has needle work, crocheting, knitting and car making on the go. Even better there were hot drinks and cakes too

  

We also had a visit from the recently opened BNCA charity shop or boutique as it is called. They only wanted a couple of holes drilling in the sign so they could hang it up, but it is good to be in touch with our neighbours

Another busy day at Merseybank Parade, 6 Nov 2018

Power tools, coat rack and decorating wooden furniture

Terry & Jim 

John

June & Bob

Jume has gome to SMMiS to learn how to use power tools and try some joinery. Bob is acting as a guide to her and teaching her some woodworking skills

The new coat hooks
These Foxcote Foundries Coat Hooks in black iron were mounted on to an old piece of teak wood and were put on the wall. A classy set of coat hooks I think

This was a piece of wood that Helen painted on as an example of how to decorate wooden furniture