Here at the Men’s Shed our projects come in all shapes and sizes. From the simple and straightforward to the complex and demanding. Rod’s hand-turned pens are a good example of the small-scale and he’s been happily training a few of us in the production of these pens. They can be made to order – your name or any pattern that will fit can be laser-etched onto the barrel which is usually wood but can be resin or metals such as steel and copper. At the other end of the scale, Stephen our fine furniture craftsman has been building benches and again, helping others to do so as well. These benches are super-functional and really add to the facilities that the Shed has to offer.

So, if you are feeling a bit down, fed up or just bored and unmotivated, think about coming to the Shed and making a personalised gift such as a pen for someone you love – and that includes yourself! Or avail yourself of the Shed facilities more broadly, including the lovely new bench, to work on your own project. You might be surprised how good it can make you feel. If you are a bloke over 18 it really is a great place to just hang out, chat, learn some new skills or share some with others, work on a project, help others with theirs or potter around creating something – the day just flies by!

Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed at 199A Parkes Street any Monday or Tuesday, 9am to 3pm to find out more.