The Broadstairs Town Shed – workshop with CEO Julien Piper

 

 

This month, we had the privilege of visiting The Broadstairs Town Shed, a wonderful community to which we donate our leftover timber. In turn they upcycle our timbre into wonderful craftmanship pieces for the home and community. The Shed is more than just a place for woodworking – it’s a beacon of friendship and shared experience for people over 50.

Kent is home to the UK’s fastest aging population, with 2,500 seniors. In response to this, the volunteer-led Broadstairs Town Shed provides a welcoming space for people aged 50 and above to gather and engage in rewarding activities such as carpentry, metalwork and art. The aim is to combat loneliness and isolation, enabling members to share and learn new skills, and fostering community involvement and engagement.

During our visit, we engaged in warm conversations with some of the men there, hearing stories from their varied lives. We met former firemen, police officers, stone masons, engineers, plumbers, and chefs. Their openness in discussing the mental health struggles they faced, such as dealing with their wives’ dementia or passing, deeply moved us. It was inspiring to witness the camaraderie at The Town Shed. Addressing mental health in men and loneliness in elderly men is a significant challenge, but at The Town Shed, these men find a safe space to engage in craftsmanship, share laughter and stories, and support one another.

We also met David, who was busy repairing the Little Library for Piermont Park, designed to serve both adults and children. It was heartening to see how the Shed’s work extends into the local community.

 

 

The Town Shed’s facilities include:

• A well-equipped woodworking workshop
• A specialised lathe room
• A metal workshop
• A CNC & Laser Etching Workshop
• Tablet computers for digital learning
• And of course, a welcoming smile, a place to meet and share stories, and a pleasant upstairs kitchen/meeting room, known as ‘The Mess’, always stocked with tea, coffee, and biscuits.#

 

 

These facilities are managed by the dedicated ‘Shed Heads’, the volunteers who keep The Town Shed running smoothly.

 

 

 

Want To Join?

If you would like to join the crew and become a real ‘Shed Head’ everyone here are very friendly and welcome anyone from all walks of life. Even though the Town Shed was orginally aimed at men. Women are more than welcome to join also. They have now introduced The Art Shed which located just upstairs in the workshop.

Our visit to The Broadstairs Town Shed reaffirmed our commitment to supporting local initiatives that make a difference in our community. We look forward to our continued partnership with them and can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll continue to make.

 

 

Shop; Purchasing Products from ‘The Shed Heads’

Bowls, chopping boards, pestal and morsta, ornemants, mini libarys for community parks, plant pots, bespoke pieces including engraving.  You can find all of this and more in the small shop situated at the front of the workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Find Broadtsairs Town Shed here!