BROMSGROVE Shedders have put their DIY skills to use and created a set of activity boards to support those living with dementia.

Age UK’s Bromsgrove Men In Sheds was set up to tackle loneliness in older men when retirement can mean loss of social contact.

The kind-hearted group started working with the North Worcestershire Rotary Club to use their woodwork skills to make activity boards to support people living with dementia at Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre.

The centre’s coordinator, Anne Montgomery, said: "The members of the Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre will really enjoy having these activity boards which have been made up for them by the Shedders.

“Most of the male members, and several of the ladies, have told us how they previously enjoyed DIY and being involved in ‘practical’ tasks.

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“These boards will help stimulate memories and, being involved in solving the puzzle, will give our members a great sense of achievement."

Although the project was impacted by the pandemic, during lockdown the Shedders worked as a ‘Virtual Shed’ producing a variety of pro-type boards.

Once restrictions were lifted representatives from the Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre came along to the Shed to see which designs would benefit their members.

Thanks to funding from the Rotary, the Shedders were able to purchase materials to convert their prototypes to create a series of Activity Boards.

Jo Hughes said: “We are really grateful to the North Worcestershire Rotary for supporting Bromsgrove Men In Sheds with this community project.

“We know the difference that the Shed makes to those that are able to attend – through this, and other similar projects, we hope to share this difference with members of the wider local community.”

Activity boards have been shown to help promote focus and tactile experiences, which can be beneficial to a person living with dementia.