Men's Shed members complete Mayo HQ upgrade works

CASTLEBAR Men’s Shed members refused to let Covid-19 stop them in their tracks altogether.

Although prevented from engaging in its usual activities, they took advantage of the lockdown to carry out much-needed improvements to their premises.

An admin. office equipped with a desk, computer and printer has been created in an old storage area to facilitate the administration of more than 50 membership, while a new computer room has been created too, with a number of iPads purchased.

This will facilitate the provision of computer courses as well as other education and training requirements.

The adjacent courtyard has been tarmacadamed and partly covered over, providing an outdoor sheltered area.

The courtyard can now be used to facilitate outdoor activities, including dining.

Elsewhere, the kitchen floor and walls have been re-tiled, presses have been replaced and new appliances have been purchased.

All work at the premises has been carried out in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions as set out by health authorities.

Numbers on the premises at any one time were limited while the work was being done.

Castlebar Men’s Shed would like to express gratitude to all sponsors, including Michael O’Malley Tarmacadam, Albany Paints, Crean Tiles and Tom O’Brien.

Finance for these projects has been provided by the Local Community Enhancement Programme, MSLETB, HSE, lotto money and the Mitigation Against Educational Disadvantage Programme.

Castlebar Men's Shed is currently organising a series of courses to be run over the winter months and will hold an open day on Saturday, October 16, from 12 noon to 4.30 p.m.

All are welcome to come and experience the importance of the Men’s Shed movement to the health and wellbeing of men as well its contribution to the wider community. New members are especially welcome.

Meanwhile, Michael Keane, chairman of Castlebar Men’s Shed, said he was delighted to reveal that the Sheds for Life Online, launching this month, is a great programme. It's available exclusively for Men's Sheds members, is free of charge, and offers men a variety of exciting classes, workshops and workouts over the course of 10 weeks.

These activities can be undertaken by individual men from their homes or inside the shed by a group of men using the same computer, laptop or tablet.

As many sheds are now preparing to reopen, the Sheds for Life Programme offers a great opportunity to bring the shedders together again and share what's sure to be a fun experience for all. There is a sign-up sheet to complete in advance of the start of the programme.