A bid to raise £200,000 has been launched by Wareham Men’s Shed as the charity, which fought off an eviction attempt two years ago, looks to secure its long term future.
The group, better known as the Shedders, has recorded its own song ‘Here For You’ for its YouTube channel to raise awareness of what it does, as it looks to build a new workshop in the grounds of Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club in Bestwall Road.
Harold Forbes, chair of Wareham Men’s Shed, centre, with Swanage and Wareham RFC vice chair Al Smith, president Andy Smith and other Shedders
End to years of uncertainty
The group has been granted planning permission by Dorset Council to build a 20 metre by 10 metre workshop on rough grassland at the Wareham sports club, after huge support from the Purbeck community.
If the funding target can be reached, the new building would end years of uncertainty over rented accommodation and provide a dedicated base for the volunteer run group which supports men’s mental health and wellbeing while carrying out practical projects throughout Purbeck.
The Wareham Men’s Shed club currently meets at Lenctenbury Farm, near Norden
Hoping for help from local benefactor
The appeal comes two years after the Shedders successfully fought off an eviction attempt from landlords Care Dorset at its former home at Purbeck Connect in Sandford Lane, Wareham.
A strong public campaign secured a temporary reprieve, but fearing that the writing was on the wall, the group relocated in 2025 to shared premises at Lenctenbury Farm near Norden – although they will only be able to stay there until September 2027.
But now Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club has offered the Shedders a place on unused land at its headquarters. Planning permission for the workshop has been granted for 40 years.
Now the Shedders are hoping that a local benefactor will come forward to help with the expected £200,000 cost of building a new base – but if not, they stand ready to launch a major fund raising appeal.
The Shedders have permission to build a new home at Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club, but the scheme will cost £200,000
“The cost is daunting”
Harold Forbes, chair of the Wareham Area Men’s Shed, said:
“The cost for a charity like ours is daunting, but it will be more than worth it if we can carry on serving Wareham and district as it has come to expect while continuing to provide a meeting place for men that has been shown to improve mental health and wellbeing.
“We would love to build the workshop ourselves and have many of the skills and tools needed, but the price of materials has skyrocketed and we also have to consider things we cannot do such as footings and core plumbing, so we’ll have to pay.
“Given our reputation in the area, we are quietly hoping that a benefactor or sponsor will step forward. But if that doesn’t happen we will be pursuing charitable grants and launching a crowdfunding appeal.
“We need a new home, and more room, as our membership is steadily increasing, not least because we are in the process of forming a new women’s section. Let’s hope we can make it all happen!”
A new parish noticeboard for Corfe Castle was one of the Shedders’ projects
“Gave up their weekend to decorate”
The planning application was supported by Wareham Town Council, many local charities, and more than 70 Purbeck residents.
Among those backing the scheme was Helen Pugh, of the Prime Time Kids Club in Wareham, who said:
“We are a small children’s charity in Wareham and were so thankful that the Shedders helped us to create wooden tables and benches which will help the children feel much more at home and create an environment where everything is more natural.
“They even extended help by offering to volunteer to decorate our main building. It was exceptionally kind of them to give up their weekend to help us decorate, as without their help we would just not have been able to afford the costs of a professional decorator.
“We enjoy seeing all the things that the Shed have been making for other groups in our area especially at Wareham St Mary primary school, where they made the mud kitchen on the field. Our community is a little brighter for having the Shed guys, around, that’s for sure!”
Shedders chair Harold Forbes was recently honoured with a Dorset High Sheriff’s Award for outstanding service to the community
“Men’s Shed helps to fix people too!”
And Wareham Shedder Tony Frankland said:
“This is a group of genuinely caring, friendly people willing to share their knowledge and skills with all members.
“A new permanent home for us Shedders at the rugby club ground will provide a huge boost, enabling us to meet more often in more spacious surroundings, to deliver many more community based projects, and give us the opportunity to further expand.
“The current membership has a very broad range of life skills, such as military veterans, medical practitioners, craftsmen and builders, and while now mostly retired are still willing and able to provide sound advice if asked.
“A casual chat with friends can and has often helped sort problems and relieve stress, so Men’s Shed is not just about making things – it helps to fix people too!”
Wareham’s Shedders with a children’s climbing wall made for Stoborough Primary School
A rocking horse the Shedders made is now in Wareham Library
One of their more unusual projects was a totem pole for the Blue Pool
Further information
- There’s more information about the Shedders on their website
