Dungarvan Men’s Shed Association was awarded a grant of almost €35,000 from the Fisheries Local Action Group Programme 2016-2023 for Upgrading their Facilities which will cost almost €44,000.
The improvements to the buildings are part of an ongoing upgrading of their facility at Wolfe Tone Road which was in poor condition when the Shed started there in 2012.
The project includes the repair and insulation of the roof of the old prefabricated classrooms buildings, construction of a suitable toilet area and corridors linking internally all four rooms as well as fitting windows and a door in the main workshop rooms. Terra Nua have been appointed as Contractors for the works.
The Men’s Shed was established in 2011 to counteract poverty and social inclusion for skilled and unskilled men in Dungarvan and the surrounding areas by providing opportunities to participate within their own community and to advance their health and well-being in a safe and happy environment.
Speaking to WLR, Michael Cass from Dungarvan Men's Shed, says the age profile is increasing every year, and upgrading the facility will go a long way in making them comfortable:
"Many of our members are over 75 years of age with limited mobility and this funding will go far in improving the comfort and well-being of our members when they're moving around the shed."
With the shed not being open at the minute, Cass says that it will be something that members will have to look forward to:
"In times of trouble, we all need something comfortable. At this stage many of the men including all of us- we're missing the shed at this stage and we can't go there and as a result of that there's a void in our lives.
"When we go back the shed will be now better. This is the biggest project we've undertaken - but the main thing is the men will have comfort when we return."
The Shed is working together with community organisations on projects for a better community. They include projects with local Churches, Schools, Tidy Towns, County Council, making Bat boxes, Bug Hotels/Butterfly Houses, Bird Boxes, Fairy Doors, Swift Boxes, garden seats, Cribs, Christmas Garden elves, Santa’s Sleigh.
The activities they provide Educational trips all over Ireland, Art and cookery classes and of course conversation around the table. The Shed is collaborating with the National Biodiversity Data Centre in WIT for the Waterford Greenway biodiversity project.
Photo: Men's Shed at Crough Wood Mahonbridge
FLAG, Fisheries Local Area Action Group (2014 – 2020) is a coastal community development strategy to promote the sustainable development and improve the quality of life in areas which have been impacted adversely due to the loss of fishing and aquaculture. FLAG has a fund of €12 million for 7 designated Irish coastal communities including the South East which has counties Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow who received the highest funding of all areas for this round.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Seafood Development Agency, assists FLAGs to deliver this scheme through administering supports via grant-aid, training and on the ground facilitation, with dedicated regional FLAG coordinators in each region and we want to thank John Hickey the South East Area Co-Ordinator for his tremendous support with our application.
