Kells men looking to shed light on forever home
The very active Kells Men's Shed is working with Meath County Council in a bid to find a permanent home.
The Shed KMS is enjoying a time of growth and activity following the establishment of a new steering committee and relocation to a new (temporary) premises.
Operating out of Eureka House, KMS has a rented space where social and workshop activities are carried out. Members meet there weekly to enjoy quiet recreational activities and also woodworking, at scheduled times.
"The main drawback for our development is lack of a permanent home, a dedicated premises where we can conduct and expand our activities," says chairman, Seamus McDonagh.
"While our current rented space is appreciated, it is small and not suited to having social and construction work running concurrently. For well over a year now we have been striving with Meath County Council to identify a site where KMS can establish its own purpose-built premises.
"Where a site is identified, issues arise and it has taken time and money to research the relevant issues and address the requirements imposed on us.
“It has been a frustrating and testing time and I must congratulate the voluntary Steering Committee for the many hours of administration and form-filling they have put in,” he said.
"The Steering Committee certainly hopes to hear a positive response from the council soon and to have a tangible outcome to bring to members in order to build up the valuable community resource that is The Men’s Shed."
Kells Men's Shed has been involved in organising many community-based activities.
"To this end we have contacted LMETB to organise particular courses. We had a cookery course promoting healthy eating, held at the Family Resource Centre and it was brilliant I feel ten years younger.”
KMS places an emphasis on activities that promote both physical and mental health. Members are currently attending a four-week walking course at the new The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, provided by Healthy Meath.
"We have recently completed an LMETB Horticulture course and have successfully generated a great number of plants which will be planted out in our allotment when the weather gets warmer.
“We are open to activities of all kinds”, said Seamus, “and always on the lookout for new opportunities”.
Like a lot of individuals, organisations and clubs, KMS was adversely affected by COVID 19 and the restrictions it brought with it. It led to many people in the community experiencing social isolation and loneliness, in addition to more serious mental health problems.
"Our members were part of that demographic. However, we are now building back up, both membership and energy, and our ambition is to go from strength to strength.
"The Men’s Shed is a tried and tested model with proven tangible benefits to the community, especially in the areas of social engagement, creative endeavour, mental health, well-being, and social cohesion."
KMS welcomes members from diverse cultures, backgrounds and abilities into a safe community environment.
They meet on Wednesdays from 2-4pm at Eureka House Kells.