BIG Provides Shed Loads of Lottery Funding
BIG Cash Injection
The MEN IN SHEDS project is reaching out to support more men in the UK. This innovative scheme is one of 39 grants this month, allocated from the BIG Lottery Fund, whose focus is to unite mature men, to help them learn practical and DIY skills in a “sheds” environment.
A fund of over £7.3 million will be split between organizations whose focus is to support the needy, at the same time, building stronger communities.
The village of Hartford, recently completed a successful pilot scheme, and after the success of the Hartford project, Age Concern Cheshire received a BIG Lottery Fund grant of £493,138, enabling them to spearhead the “MEN IN SHEDS” project into parts of Cheshire.
Men aged 50 plus suffering from life changing events, such as retirement, redundancy, ill health and redundancy will benefit from the scheme, which offers them a unique opportunity to socialize, while sharing and learning new skills together.
Believed to be the only project of its kind currently active in England, huge interest is being stimulated across the country from other participants. The project has even gained the attention of a similar project in Australia, which is keen to participate in a partnership role.
Alex Major, of Age Concern Cheshire said, “We are very excited to have secured this grant, enabling us to expand the project. Existing projects appeal mainly to older women, apparently, leaving men feeling neglected. This project makes them feel noticed. Apart from giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, they are also able to make new friends, and converse. Some men are happy to drop by for a cup of tea, and a browse of the newspapers.
Sanjay Dighe, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund England Committee said, “This MEN IN SHEDS project is a noteworthy example of how BIG funding aids noteworthy organizations to promote innovative solutions, supporting people and communities at vulnerable periods in their lives.”
Source acknowledged with thanks: Big Lottery Fund UK 15/06/10
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