The Heyford Makers Shed was awarded £500 of funding from this year’s Connected Communities Fund.
They are using this to upgrade their safety equipment including a new first aid station, welding masks, aprons, protective gloves and to pay for first aid training to enable them to provide skills and socialising activities for their members.
Practical projects in a welcoming space
Heyford Makers Shed, which is run by volunteers, was formed in early 2024 with the intention of providing a friendly, welcoming space for people to come together and work on practical projects.
Starting with a grant of just £100 from the Men’s Shed Association with whom they are affiliated, they chose a name to encourage both men and women to participate.
“We have a laugh, it gets you out of the house, we make things, and it helps my wellbeing.”
A set of four linked containers were made available to them by Dorchester Living – the company responsible for the Heyford Park development. These have been equipped with work benches and equipment for wood working, metal working, and other crafts, with one hosting a cosy meeting space with facilities for making hot drinks etc.
The group has received many generous donations of materials and tools from local people and businesses, and they are not short of projects to keep them busy. These have included making swift boxes which were decorated by local school children and have been put up around the local area, as well as theatre props and commemorative benches.
Interested in joining?
You can find out more about Heyford Makers Shed online.
The Connected Communities Fund, is being delivered in partnership by OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire and has been made available by Oxfordshire County Council.