Charity workshop 'life-changing' for stroke victim

A former engineer said joining a community workshop was "a life-changing experience" after suffering a stroke and becoming a widower.

The Community Shed in Northampton allows members to use its tools and equipment for projects for themselves or to sell items on to help fund the charity.

Francis Beasant, who has been a member of the shed for three years, said: "I was in a bottomless pit, struggling to find my way out of it and this was the turning point for me."

The facility wants to expand as it does not have enough space to accommodate any more members.

Beasant, from Kislingbury, had an active business life before he retired, leading him to experience extreme burnout. After surviving the stroke and losing his wife, he said he had to deal with a combination of mental health issues, illness and bereavement.

He said he had to give up hobbies, such as sailing and singing in the Northampton Male Voice Choir, which meant he was "at a bit of a loss".

He said the shed lived up to its name and fostered a strong sense of community.

"It doesn't matter what your background is, levels of education or financial situations - it's a lovely, lovely, level playing field," he said.

The shed is inside the building used by Spencer Contact, which is a Christian furniture reuse charity.

There are two sections of the shed - a wood workshop and a crafts and socialising area.

It became a registered charity in 2019 and is open on Tuesdays and Fridays.

It is not a registered mental health charity, nor does it claim to have mental health benefits or expertise.

However, Beasant said: "I used to be in engineering... but the wealth of knowledge and experience that is floating around in this place is mind-blowing.

"If you're keen to learn then there's always somebody that's keen to school you."

Keith Westhead is the clerk at the Community Shed and takes care of the paperwork.

"We're very restricted for space and always looking for [somewhere larger] to help a lot more people," he said.

It currently has a limit of 30 members due to space restrictions. Any prospective site must be well served by buses and easily accessible on foot to suit all members.

"Generally speaking, there are a lot more ladies' organisations, especially for people that have retired, than there are for men," he added.

Additionally, they are looking for a membership secretary to share the admin duties.

The Shed is run by a team of trustees that meets a few times a year, but the daily upkeep and organisation of the charity is carried out by the volunteers themselves.

It is predominantly funded by selling things they make or the reselling of donated tools they are unable to use.

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