Men's Shed reveal mural at Immanuel Church Southbourne

Members of the Men's Shed have revealed their new mural to the community at the Immanuel Church in Southbourne.

The Men's Shed is a space where men can meet, establish connections and relationships with others and fix old tools.

The group started with five members, and has now grown to over twenty five.

The mural artist, Kevin Tayler, was asked to paint the Men's Shed by the Immanuel Church. 

This was the first mural he has ever painted, so he was slightly apprehensive but excited to try something new.

He painted the mural for free after learning about the work that the church and the Men's Shed do, and is overjoyed with the reaction from the public. 

He said: "People were so happy with it when walking past, I couldn't ask for anything else.

"That's what I love, it's the best reward."

Men's Shed was started to encourage men to meet in a setting that can inspire friendship and companionship. 

Men can be referred to the group by nearby doctor's surgeries, these are men that may have lost their wives and partners and are struggling with loneliness or depression.

Men's Shed member Vaughan Bradbury says it is more difficult for men to meet others and socialise, so this space was created where men can work on projects and engage with one another.

Vaughan said: "It's a light-hearted environment, it provides friendship and companionship for men."

Their main project involves the restoring of old tools and sending them over to Africa where they can be reused. 

Vaughan stated that sometimes women lose their husbands and are left with mountains of tools that they don't know what to do with.

This is where the Men's Shed comes in, they retrieve the old tools from the tool sheds and bring them back to clean.

Cleaning and fixing these tools give them a new lease of life, and it is an activity for the group to do together. 

The cleaned tools are then taken to Tool Aid in Ringwood, who then send them over to Africa.

The concept started five years ago was headed by Vaughan Bradbury, who has now stepped down after the five years. 

Vaughan stated that he does feel sadness stepping down, however the role is being handed to fellow member and friend Mick Hook, who he has every faith in. 

The group are very happy with the mural, and are excited to continue working on projects together.