The Men's Shed in Ross-on-Wye invited the Mayor, Councillor Jane Roberts, to the Shed on Friday, August 2nd.

The members welcomed her initiative regarding loneliness and the Good Neighbour Scheme, which resonates with their desire to alleviate loneliness in men who are over 55, retired or semi retired.

They were able to discuss the ways they have contributed to the local community while making friends.

Its primary objective is the alleviation of loneliness and isolation among elderly and retired men over 55 years in the local community and surrounding area. The concept was initially started in Australia and has now spread throughout the western world.

Thanks to Herefordshire County Council they have the use of a large industrial unit which they have turned into a workshop. They also received grants from the County Council and Ross-on-Wye Town Council when they were setting up the Shed.

The Shed is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of every week throughout the year from 10am. to 4pm. Anyone can come along for a few sessions free of charge to see if it is something they would like to get involved in. New members are always welcome, particularly those that are lonely, depressed or feel isolated. Assisting those people is the ethos behind the Men’s Sheds.

Councillor Roberts told the Ross Gazette: One focus for my mayoral year is celebrating voluntary action in Ross so I was very pleased to meet the team at the Men’s shed.  It is a great project that is helping people to work together on useful projects for the town.”

You can get involved in activities or just to sit around and drink tea and enjoy the company of like minded people. The Shed is a relaxed environment and there is no pressure to get too involved. Please do not hesitate to send an email to rossonw [email protected]See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.