Headway Cork Men’s Shed is a sanctuary for men with an acquired brain injury to meet with others and engage in shed activities or just enjoy a nice cup of tea.

The shed was established in 2017 and manager Carol O’Brien has been involved since the beginning.

“When they finished the programme, our clients were looking for places to go where they could meet people,” she says.

Headway is an organisation that provides support for people living with an acquired brain injury in Ireland.

The shed is based in the Headway premises in Carrigrohane, Co Cork. They have volunteers who come in and do a lot of the heavy lifting to help out with moving timber and concrete slabs.

The members do a lot of gardening of flowers and vegetables, as they have quite a large allotment. Carol says they aim to build a greenhouse or a polytunnel, but the funding is not there at the moment.

The men also engage in wood burning, stone carving and varnishing of their own bits and pieces from home. Members help out at the local nursing home in the garden outside.

Some of the members may not be able to engage in the more physical activities, but they still love the cup of tea and chats Men’s Sheds are renowned for.

Later this year, the shed will link up with the local social, health and education project in Cork for a five-week mental-health programme. Members will learn more about looking after their physical and mental health.

There are 18 to 20 shed members at the moment and a waiting list of 10 more rearing to go. The youngest member is in his 20s.

The shed is open on Thursday afternoon for members, but they are looking to increase this time to take people off the waiting list and welcome them as shed members.

For more details about the Headway shed, contact Carol O’Brien on 021-434 7625.