Spelthorne Shed marks a decade of community work

Michael Wallin took over running the Spelthorne Shed after it was founded by his father

A community group which offers people an opportunity to use their skills to help the local community has celebrated its 10th birthday.

The Spelthorne Shed, in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, offers tools, equipment and workspace.

The idea was based on the Men's Sheds movement, created to tackle isolation and poor mental health through working together.

Volunteers at the Spelthorne Shed create items such as bird boxes, bug hotels, benches and memorial plaques for local parks.

The shed is run by Michael Wallin, who took over from his father Fred.

"Men's Sheds had started in Australia and he'd seen an article about them and decided it would be something good to do in the community here," said Mr Wallin.

"The local council provided us with a shed in Fordbridge Park, it took us a year or two to get it fitted out and we opened our doors in 2015."

The shed provides volunteers with the equipment and space they need to be creative

He said the projects being worked on by members are many and varied, with those with more skills and experience happy to teach others.

"Some are restoring old cars and motorbikes, some are restoring or making furniture," he said.

"A few people sell the items and we use the money to keep the shed going.

"We have a few members who don't do anything, they come down and use the facility as a community hub, we've got a tearoom with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits and cakes, people use it as a place to come and take a break from life, a place where they can share common interests and have a bit of camaraderie."

(l-r) Rick Callingham, Syd McDonald, Ann Pritchard, Steve Barton are among those who use the Shed's facilities

Having marked the 10-year milestone, Mr Wallin is hoping the shed will become even busier.

"Our membership numbers are gradually increasing and we've gone from when we first started to opening a couple of afternoons a week.

"Now we're open most weekdays apart from Wednesdays. I'm hoping over the next few years we can get to the position where we're opening full time five days a week between 10 and four."