Ipswich charity appeals for women to help run She Shed group

The Women’s Woodwork Workshop, or She Shed, held at Brickmakers Wood Nature Reserve, provides a supportive space where women can learn skills like sawing and drilling, build confidence, and make friends.

It was set up by Joanna Brooks, charity manager at Eden-Rose Coppice Trust which transforms urban wastelands into green spaces for people with life-limiting illnesses like cancer, mental health challenges, and for the development of young people with disabilities.

After the success of the charity’s Men’s Shed at getting men with cancer and mental health challenges to open up to each other, Brooks saw that many women were worried about lacking practical skills around the home.

Brooks said: “The main thing about the workshops is the confidence-building for women. The women’s shed is about giving people the confidence to use tools and try new things.

“We had a lot of fun and laughter at the first session.”

The first group focused on practising basic sawing and drill techniques, with each participant making a small flower planter to take home.

But the charity has been overwhelmed by demand, with a six-month waiting list for sessions, which are held monthly.

They are therefore appealing for women to help run the sessions, perhaps retired design and technology teachers, or female tradespeople.

Brooks said: “We were convinced there was a need for the sessions, and so it proved.

“Even if someone can only contribute one session, that would help us run more sessions as we’re got a waiting list of women wanting to learn new skills.”

It’s hoped that participants can use the new skills they’ve learned to build wheelchair-friendly planters for the woodland retreat’s therapy garden.