Men in Sheds Hull was recently visited by Maureen Lipman and a BBC film crew who were filming a new documentary set to be screened in March.

Men in Sheds Hull is a place where men socialise, share skills and learn new ones. The concept began in Australia and spread across the world, and Smile helped to establish the first Hull shed, which officially opened in 2016.

Lights, camera, action!

The members bring a wide range of experience, and include plumbers, architects, food trainers, pub landlords, joiners and electricians. Many members are retired and often isolated, suffering from loneliness, or just trying to escape their wives!

Some of the members have experience health challenges, including: heart disease, strokes, or cancer and they find incredible support at their ‘shed’ in north Hull.

Making bird boxes!

The existing Hull shed was developed by Smile with over £25,000 of gifts in kind generated through Smile partnerships with MKM, EYG, Sargent Electrical and the Sewell Group, these were matched with funding from Smile, Hull CCG and the Rank Foundation.

The success of the first shed has seen over 70 members join in the first six months of operation, with members travelling from across Hull and East Yorkshire to attend. This instigated significant demand for Shed Two in central Hull, where a premises has been offered.

Busy crafting special items

Smile is committed to bringing a second Men in Sheds base to Hull in the city centre and we are delighted that a group of local businesses, collectively known as ‘More Together’ have recently committed to donating 25% of their collective fundraising efforts in 2017 towards Men in Sheds Two.

Click through the gallery below for more photos of the men in action!