Men in Sheds is celebrating after securing over £60,000 of funding from the Rank Foundation.

After an initial donation of £5,000 from Smile in 2015, Men in Sheds has continued to go grow and now reached over 60 men in Hull.

Smile utilised resources and business contacts to develop the permanent location on Oak Road playing fields in north Hull. With support from Smile’s key business contacts Sargent Electrical, MKM, the Sewell Group and EYG, Men in Sheds has finally moved into into their new home, where the men can socialise, share skills and learn new ones.

The group celebrated with a corporate launch on October 20th, where guests enjoyed tours of the new building and a sausage sandwich!

Barry Cooper, of north Hull, started the group after watching a television programme on the initiative a few years ago.

He said: “I thought it would be a great idea and give me something to do.

“I hadn’t been in good health and had a couple of strokes, so I wanted something to focus on.

“We know it can make a positive difference to other people if we can get them through the door.”

The Rank Foundation’s £60,000 of investment over five years will ensure that Men in Sheds Hull can reach more men in Hull to help combat loneliness and isolation.

Smile is currently looking at the development of more ‘sheds’ in Hull. Watch this space.