Oranmore Men’s Shed seeks new home

Since 2015, Oranmore Men’s Shed has been an invaluable resource for men in the community – providing an outlet for members to try out new skills and a safe haven for a chat amongst friends.

It’s gone from strength to strength over the past seven years, establishing a firm foothold in the area and attracting increasing numbers to its base behind the church in the village.

Due to its popularity, it’s outgrown its home and members are now fundraising to install a bigger and better base which they say will allow them to expand the group and continue to play an important role in the wellbeing of local men.

Chairperson Terry Burke says their existing facilities deteriorated during lockdown and are no longer fit for purpose, adding that they’ve run out of space for new members.

As a result, they’ve started a GoFundMe to raise part of the around €35,000 to €40,000 they’ll need to install a new facility.

“It’s the next stage in our development – our existing premises cant cater for the members we currently have if they’re all there at the one time and as a result, we can’t look for new members either.

“The current premises are not in great condition as it is, and Covid proved very challenging,” says Terry, with issues around social distancing and ventilation for some of the more vulnerable members of the group.

The target for the online fundraiser is €10,000 and they hope to make up the rest through a series of other fundraisers, as well availing of any grants that may be available to them.

“We’re hoping to submit a planning application very shortly to install a new facility which will be about 15 metres by seven metres in size. The Oranmore Community Development Association has identified a space on the same site to put up the building and we’re hoping as many people as possible help us out,” says Terry.

The Men’s Shed movement started in Australia and has proven a huge success internationally, as a means of getting men involved in a social outlet for the benefit of their mental health.

Terry explains that it’s a broad church, attracting people from various backgrounds for a variety of reasons – but at its core is the opportunity to socialise.

“Better mental health is the main benefit of it. It’s a great way of combatting loneliness among the older age group. For people who have retired, it gives them meaning and purpose, especially for people who have left a job where they had social interaction every day.”

Locals will be familiar with the skilled work of the group, with many crafty projects around Oranmore and further afield bearing their fingerprints, but the shed is there for everyone, he continues.

“One of the most important things to say is that you don’t have to do anything! You can come in for a chat, or to sit down and read the paper, and if you do want to get involved in the work, that’s just a bonus.

“We attract people of all ages and we currently have 25 members,” he says.

To continue that work and to expand in a safe and appealing workplace, the group is asking people to give as much or as little as they can to a vital service.

“Our only saving grace at the moment is we can work outside, but the weather is unreliable. We need somewhere where people can come in and sit down and we are hoping to minimise any borrowings we might have to make.

“It’s a very valuable community resource and there will be many people in the future who may want to use it. We hope people will support it so it can be there for them too,” says Terry.

To donate, search Oranmore Men’s Shed on Facebook where details of the online fundraiser can be found.