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Swanwick Men’s Shed

A Proud Member of the Valley Cids Family of Projects

The Shed's Main Aims

We are a friendly group who's aim is to support the local community by providing an inclusive safe space for people to get involved in meaningful activities whilst benefiting from social engagement. The shed is a welcoming environment that is open to both men and women. We have a particular focus on reducing social isolation in older men, especially following retirement, bereavement, illness or dementia.

We have members all ages, some of which are retired and some of which are working. Members come from a wide area that includes both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Shed Activities

We work mainly in wood, carrying out a variety of making projects for schools and other community groups. We also work for private customers who are in need of someone with woodworking skills. We attend local craft fairs where people can get some of the craft items we have made by making a donation to the shed.

Shedders ready for action at an offsite event Shedders ready for action at an offsite event

We work with other community groups to provide workshops where young makers can get involved in practical making activities such as bird box building and robot workshops. Our other main activity is drinking tea and eating biscuits.

Social Activities

Along with our woodworking activities we we also have social evenings which provide further opportunities for social engagement such as our 'Carvery Club' where shedders  meet up every so often to enjoy a big dinner and a small drink at a local restaurant. You can get up to date information about all of our recent activities on our facebook page.

What is a Men's Shed

Join In

If you are over 18 and would you like to get involved with what we do the shed, make friends, have fun and give back to your local community. Pease use our contact form to get in touch, and we will make sure that we have someone ready to meet and greet you. You may even be offered a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Elrick made a bird table Elrick made a bird table

Opening Times

The shed is open at the following times.

  • Wednesday 3:30pm to 6:00pm
  • Thursday from 3:30pm to 6:00pm
  • Saturdays 09:00-4:00pm

In school holidays the shed is usually open all day Thursday and Saturday but closed Wednesday. Please do not attend outside of these hours when the farm site on which we are based is operational without prior permission.

We are Proud to be Part of The Valley Cids Family of Projects

Swanwick Men's Shed is an integral part of the Valley Cids Charity. Valley Cids ongoing support of the men's shed is a key component in it's success. Valley Cids hosts the shed at Turner Farm which is part of the Valley Cids estate. They provide a wide range of support from accounting and promotion to paid employees to support the day to day running of the shed. They also assume liability for matters such as insurance, safeguarding and health and safety.

The shed's Management Team are the strategic decision making body for the shed and have an high degree of autonomy over shed operations, expenditure and project planning. The Shed Management Team liaise with Valley Cids on shed infrastructure changes and use of the Turner Farm site.

Swanwick Mens Shed has very low membership fees compared to many other men's sheds, this helps to make the shed accessible to all. The low fees are primarily due to the continued support of Valley Cids for the Swanwick Mens Shed project.

We are a None Profit Organisation

The shed generates income in a numbers of ways including:

  • Membership fees and subscriptions
  • Carrying out big build commercial projects for local organisations
  • Carrying out small projects for individuals
  • Producing trellis for a commercial partner
  • Restoring and selling furniture that has been donated
  • ​Selling items at craft fairs and Christmas fairs
  • Donations made during our making workshops
  • Monetary Donations

All income generated is reinvested into the shed making the shed sustainable and allowing it to go on providing support for people in the local community.

Member of UK Mens Shed Association

Swanwick Men's Shed are a registered member of the UK mens Shed Association. The UKMSA is a nationwide charity that support Men's Sheds through the provision of advice and resources but are not involved in the day to day running of the shed.

Happy Shedding, we hope to see you soon at the shed.