Question 1

What is The Pulhams Men's Shed?

Accepted Answer

The Pulhams Men’s Shed is a community space where people can connect, converse and create. Where groups of people can enjoy spending time together. Our activities are similar to those of a garden shed and a café combined. The Shed aims to help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, it is a place where we have a good time.

Question 2

Who runs the Men’s Shed?

Accepted Answer

Our Shed is a registered charity. It is run entirely by the people that use it, the members. We have a minimum of three charity Trustees, and a Steering Committee who make the day-to-day decisions. The Trustees and those in the Steering Committee, are all Shed members.
At every Shed Meeting, there is a ‘Duty Member’ who will open the Shed and do their best to ensure that everyone enjoys their time in the Shed and stays safe. Everyone that works for the Shed is a volunteer, there are no paid staff.

Question 3

Who can attend a Men’s Shed?

Accepted Answer

The Pulhams Men’s Sheds aims to be inclusive and welcoming to adults with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Our Shed also accepts Women members. We aim to create an environment where men and women can come together for socialisation, skill-sharing, and mutual support. The Pulhams Men’s Shed is open to anyone aged 18 years or over, who is living in the Pulhams or the local area.

Question 4

Do I have to live in the Pulhams to join the Shed?

Accepted Answer

No. Our Shed also welcomes anyone from our local area of South Norfolk and North Suffolk, including: Alburgh, Aslacton, Brockdish, Dickleburgh, Gissing, Hardwick, Harleston, Homersfield, Needham, Redenhall, Rushall, Shelton, Shimpling, Starston, Tivetshall, and Wortwell.

Question 5

How many people attend the Men’s Shed?

Accepted Answer

We currently have around thirty members. Typically we might have up to twelve members attending the Shed at any one time.

Question 6

How is the Men’s Shed funded?

Accepted Answer

The Pulhams Men’s Sheds is an independent charity which manages its own finances. It is self-sustaining financially, based on members' contributions, sales of goods that members make or repair, and donations from individuals for work undertaken. Occasionally we are able to obtain grant funding to support activities or developments.

Question 7

How do I get involved in the Pulhams Men's Shed?

Accepted Answer

You can get involved by visiting or joining our Men’s Shed. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer to help the Men’s Shed. We need people with a wide range of skills such as legal, insurance, finance, Health & Safety, IT, grant application, secretarial, social media, as well as all the craft skills. We also need Trustees, and ‘Duty Members’ to help run and administer the Men’s Shed.

Question 8

Do I need previous wood or metal working experience to join a Men's Shed?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need any previous experience at all. There will be a member of the Shed to show you around, to introduce you to the other members, and to help you settle in. You will find other members that are willing to share their skills and knowledge. Perhaps you might have some that you can share with them too.

Question 9

Do you need to be good at DIY to join a Men's Shed?

Accepted Answer

No. Men’s Sheds are for people with ‘time on their hands’. Whether it’s because life has changed, you have a spare hour, or perhaps you’re between jobs for a few weeks. You can go to the Shed just to chat and have a cuppa, or join in with the other members. The range of activities is as broad as the members’ interests. If you want to learn a new skill or repair something you can usually find another member to help you or give you advice.

Question 10

Can I use the tools and machines?

Accepted Answer

There are a range of hand tools that anyone can use in the shed. You will not be able to operate machine tools without first receiving an assessment and training. When you can demonstrate that you are able to use a machine safely, you will be given accreditation to use it, by a competent Member.

Question 11

Do I need to bring anything with me to the sessions?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need to bring any equipment or materials, but it’s best to wear something you don’t mind getting a bit mucky. You will also be required to wear substantial footwear. If you are planning to use power tools, please bring appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) if you have it.

Question 12

Can I get food & drink at the Shed?

Accepted Answer

There are tea and coffee making facilities in our Shed. You can bring food with you if you wish, but there is no facility for warming food.

Question 13

If I come to the Shed will I be told what to do?

Accepted Answer

You choose what you do in the shed. It’s your time to do what you wish. If you need assistance, there will be someone there who is happy to help. You will be told some basic rules that will help to keep you and everyone else safe, and other members will probably offer to  share their knowledge, but you will not be told what to do.

Question 14

Are Men’s Sheds a Care Organisation?

Accepted Answer

It is important to remember that Men’s Sheds do NOT undertake personal care nor perform the role of carer. However, Shedders do care about each other and depend on each other to share problems and to listen. “We CARE but we are not CARERS”. If an individual requires a support worker or carer, they should always accompany them to the Shed and are responsible for them while they are there. Our members are all volunteers, they are not health professionals.

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