A CHARITY that aims to combat loneliness, particularly among older men, through shared practical activity is celebrating after being offered a permanent base in the St Austell area following 11 months of searching.

St Austell Shed, part of the Shedders movement across the country, has been offered a building by St Mewan Parish Council, this being an unused store building at the Trewoon recreation ground.

Now the charity and council are hoping work on the rundown premises will become the area’s own version of the television show DIY SOS – DIY SAS (St Austell Shed) – with materials donations and tradespeople volunteering.

Charity trustee Ralph Abbott said: “When St Mewan Parish Council first heard of the Shed’s quest to find a home, it was inspired by our community cause and ideals.

“St Austell Shed is a registered charity and aims to provide a welcoming community space where people, particularly older men, can reduce loneliness, build friendships and improve wellbeing through shared practical activity. It promotes social inclusion by offering opportunities for hobbies, recreation, making, mending, skills sharing and learning new skills.

“The Shed encourages members to work together in a supportive, informal environment, creating a renewed sense of purpose, belonging and companionship. It also seeks to benefit the wider St Austell area by developing community-based projects, supporting local groups and charities, and establishing a permanent social and workshop space for members.

“The parish councillors were keen to find an appropriate use for the Trewoon building and bring it back into community use following its recent deterioration. Using ring-fenced community funds received from a local wind turbine development, the council has agreed to replace the roof of the building and reconnect all mains services.

“Once the building is watertight, it will then be up to the Shed to convert the interior into a community workshop and social space. This will also include the Shedders initially constructing a small extension for a disabled toilet and entrance and then a future larger social space extension when funds permit, the immediate priority being the workshop.

“The trustees of the charity have welcomed this amazing offer of the building and repairs from St Mewan Parish Council. The offer of the building validates the Shed’s work and marks a huge step in the development of St Austell Shed since our first public meeting and launch last September where the Shedders first came together. The building offer means St Austell will have its own much-needed community workshop. Without our own building, the Shed can only currently meet on a social basis, although some satellite work parties are kindly hosted at Lanjeth Water Gardens.

“The offer will now set off a focused fundraising programme, as well as a call for building material donations and volunteer tradespersons for both the Shed and parish council works, who are both hoping to make this their very own successful DIY SAS (St Austell Shed) project. The parish council has confirmed that the initial response from local businesses and individuals has already been overwhelming, but both organisations can always do with more help.”