Welbeck Abbey Brewery has partnered with Age UK Nottinghamshire to bring you ‘Men In Sheds’; a beer that will raise funds and awareness for the charity’s ground breaking project for older men. It’s launch night for the charity beer and as the team from Welbeck Abbey Brewery mingle with the members and volunteers from the local Worksop shed. Bob, a long time member of the shed, arrives late with his very loving family in tow.
“Where ‘ave you been Bob… Scunthorpe?” a heckler cries from the back of the group and everyone erupts with laughter. It’s an insiders’ joke (Bob can get lost). Banter between mates. This is what ‘The Shed’ is all about. Mates getting together within the environment of a workshop, supporting one another and claiming back their independence and confidence.
Nicky Wheedon from Age UK Nottinghamshire explains: “In the UK, there are more than 2.5 million older people who have no one to turn to for help and support in a crisis. Wanting to help the ageing generation to flourish and feel free from isolation, we decided to implement the ‘Men In Sheds’ project. Originally an Australian concept, ‘Men In Sheds’ is focused on meeting the needs, health, wellbeing and interests of older men.
“The men talk shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face, their shed is a safe place to share and discover new skills and rebuild lives. The charity provides the ‘shed’ (workshop); tools and equipment; and a team of volunteers — but the members take control of the day-to-day running of the shed and set the day’s activities which include woodworking, skills sharing and socialising.”
Every January Welbeck Abbey Brewery start the search for a local charity to support, not only financially but by raising their profile and highlight community awareness. After stumbling across the ‘Men In Sheds’ initiative by Age UK they knew we had met their perfect partner.
Louise McArthur from Welbeck Abbey Brewery explains: “Welbeck is one of the great traditional landed estates bordering Sherwood Forest, rich with stories and characters from centuries past. It is home to an artisan village, producing specialist foods and crafts in a beautiful rural setting. We are proud of our focus on skilled craftsmenship and our dedication to upholding artisan traditions. Supporting a project like ‘Men In Sheds’ which aims to renew members confidence and independence by teaching them woodworking skills is a strong match with our core values”.
Welbeck’s charity cask ale ‘Men In Sheds’ will feature in local pubs through Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and South Yorkshire during February and March. On a chilly Wednesday morning in January a group of members from the local Worksop shed worked with the brewery’s head Brewer James Gladman to hand-craft their beer on the Welbeck estate. After much debate the shed members decided on brewing a traditional English Pale Ale. ‘Men In Sheds’ is a true 4.8% English IPA using UK Cascade and Jester hops and boasts citrus and floral flavours.
Ten pence from the sale of every pint of ‘Men In Sheds’ will go directly to the Worksop ‘Shed’. This ‘flagship’ shed has 30 active members and opened in 2014. In addition to funds the shed requires donations of industrial tools, timber, storage space and volunteers. If you can help this ground breaking project for older men please contact the Worksop shed or the team at Welbeck Abbey Brewery.
As the night’s festivities come to an end and the cask ran dry a family member daid: “Thank you for all of this. When my mum passed away it was a really tough time for dad. We would find him pottering around in his shed, but he wasn’t the same. Since finding ‘The Shed’ he has a new lease on life. He has a purpose again. They banter, but they also really care for one another. So thank you.”
MEN IN SHEDS — Worksop
Unit 2, Kilton Terrace, Kilton Road, Worksop S80 2DQ
01909 549078
meninsheds-worksop@ageuknotts.org.uk