Just under three years ago, Tullamore Men’s Shed was founded at the old Charleville school in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Speaking on behalf of the budding shed, Tom Finnerty, patron, commended each member, the wider community of Tullamore and the school in which the group resides.

In 2016 Tom, along with former Offaly football legend Willie Bryan, combined plans with a team of hard-working men around the midlands. Following months of budgeting and searching for a premises they hit the jackpot with three spacious classrooms in the old school.

“All it took was a push in the right direction and a good group of supportive men to get our Men’s Shed up and running,” Tom reports.

With a close connection to young males through work and volunteering, Tom found few structures in place for men suffering with mental health difficulties, bereavement or unemployment. “I constantly heard: ‘We don’t feel like we’re being looked after.’ So, I thought to myself: ‘Well, at least with a Men’s Shed, we can try address these feelings.’”

These increasing, urgent and sensitive issues are dealt with effectively, while introducing young people in crisis to the shed has paid off. “One young man in particular spent a lot of time in hospital with mental health and addiction issues,” Tom recalls. “His whole life circled around alcohol and drugs. Now it circles around our Men’s Shed. He has given up drugs and only has an occasional drink with friends.”

Stories like this are testimony to the friendship and support of the shed. While upcoming fundraisers, open days, social media workshops and renovation projects maintain the pro-active group character.

Versatile in age, background and life stories and opened six days a week, from 10am to 4pm, the door is always open to new and old members.

Call Tommy Finnerty on 087 742 6297 or visit Tullamore Men’s Shed on Facebook to get involved or have a chat.