Lancing and Sompting Men In Sheds was set up in 2015 and after a period of being a “virtual Shed”, meeting in a community cafe, was given our first Shed, a double garage in a private dwelling by one of our founding members, “H”.
We invested time, love and cuppas to create a safe space where we could meet. We knew that at some stage a second shed would be needed so a war chest was created kicking off with a £1k grant from a sponsor.
In 2019 an enquiry was made to our District Councillor about the possible use of a building, The Barn in Manor Park Lancing, owned and used by Adur District Council for storage.
The pandemic and the lockdowns it brought meant we were not able to commence work until summer. The Barn is a heritage building going back to the 1830s, it formed part of Home Farm created by the owners of Lancing Manor House.
This was offered to our group, then followed by signing a lease, getting planning approval and the project management of what works were needed. So there we were in early 2020 thinking what could go wrong?…….
The pandemic and the lockdowns it brought meant we were not able to commence work until summer. The Barn is a heritage building going back to the 1830s, it formed part of Home Farm created by the owners of Lancing Manor House.
Next to The Barn is a very large building that we call “The Middle Building” that the council use and at the end is a garage. The Garage became ours too, as part of the lease and was to become our reclaimed wood store. Work was to be carried out sympathetically to the heritage of the building.
Keeping to Covid rules, a dedicated team led by our Shed Manager, Frank King, we carried out the works.
It took a year, but it was certainly worth the wait. A year in which our funders gave us more grants for kitting out the Shed with tools, a van, security items and paints.
Via social media, email and phone calls Shedders and our supporters could share the excitement and will the team to finish. And they did!
Our second Shed is now open and we will begin to integrate the 25+ who have asked to join us
Thursday 12th was our Open Day at The Barn, and the response was everything that we could have hoped for. We hosted our friends in the local community, District, Parish and County Councillors, NHS mental health practitioners and social prescribers, social and community workers/leaders and sponsors. BBC Sussex was around for the morning interviewing and recording
Our second Shed is now open and we will begin to integrate the 25+ who have asked to join us. This will be done via our two Sheds and this management of change and expectations is a key part of that essential medium and long term planning.
So a very intense period comes to an end for us, we can celebrate that and get back to what we (and you) are best at. Conversations, friendships, personal and community projects, and always keeping to our key belief that “Each Shed Participant Is Both A Teacher And A Learner”
We will be taking on the lease and getting planning approval for that Middle Building as well which will provide a dedicated quiet room for our members and also a teaching/repair area along with an IT suite to train all of our members and local residents too.
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Frank King Shed Manager/Trustee–Men In Sheds Lancing And Sompting