Mens Shed appeal efforts are underway in Dorset as a local community group works to raise £200,000 to build a permanent workshop. The Wareham Area Men’s Shed is aiming to secure a long-term home that will support its growing membership and activities.
Wareham Area Men’s Shed has been given planning permission by Dorset Council to build a new workshop at Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club, located off Bestwall Road. The project marks an important step for the group, which currently operates from rented temporary premises outside the town at Lenctenbury Farm.
The group provides a space where men can meet, work on woodworking projects, and build friendships. It mainly supports men who are retired, isolated, or facing difficult personal circumstances. Organisers say the goal is to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing through shared activity and practical skills.
Chairman Harold Forbes said the cost of the project is challenging but necessary for the future of the group. He said securing a permanent base would remove uncertainty and protect the organisation from losing its space again.
The group faced uncertainty in 2024 when it received an eviction notice from Care Dorset, although the notice was later found to be issued in error. After that, the group moved from its previous home at the Purbeck Centre in Sandford Lane, increasing concerns about long-term stability.
The new workshop plan is also linked to the growing size of the membership. The group has expanded in recent years, partly due to the creation of a new women’s section that is currently being developed. This growth has created a need for more space and better facilities.
Forbes said members already have strong woodworking skills and tools, and they are ready to help build the workshop themselves. However, rising construction costs are making the project more difficult. He said the group will need outside help for parts of the build, including foundations and plumbing, which require professional contractors.
The £200,000 target will be raised through a mix of donations, charitable grants, and a crowdfunding campaign. The group is also hoping a local benefactor or sponsor may support the project and help bring the plan forward more quickly.
The appeal has received backing from Wareham Town Council. Planning officers in Dorset also supported the proposal, saying public feedback highlighted strong community benefits and value for members. Officials noted that the project would provide a safe and supportive space for social connection and skills development.
Community groups like Wareham Area Men’s Shed have become increasingly important in addressing loneliness, especially among older adults. These spaces offer hands-on activities and social interaction that help improve mental wellbeing and reduce isolation.
The new workshop is expected to give the group long-term stability and allow it to expand its activities further. Supporters say it will also help strengthen community ties in the Wareham area by offering a shared space for learning and cooperation.
As fundraising continues, organisers remain hopeful that the appeal will attract enough support to turn the project into reality and secure a permanent home for the growing group.
