The shelf life of a Dundee charity has increased after it was able to spread its goodwill among a new charity hub.
Membership of the Men’s Shed charity has increased by more than 300% since it moved into Swan House, the former Aviva insurance office at Dundee Technology Park.
The building has become a bustling home for charities in the city, breathing new life into the building and the good causes that are now based there.
When the members of Men’s Shed, who share skills, tools and chat, heard that fellow Swan House-based charity Graham’s Soup Kitchen needed help, they were quick to crack open their tool boxes.
The work was carried out by Neil Fenwick, a retired joiner, who is part of a group that has helped Men’s Shed’s membership and activities skyrocket since it moved into the Swan House hub.
Men’s Shed secretary Derek Keiller said: “We have been very successful since we started last year.
“We only really got going as we had the new premises. Previously we had the men shed committee but no men’s shed as such as we had nowhere to go, so we couldn’t get people to join us. Nobody wanted to come along and sit in a cold church hall with a jacket on.
“We’ve gone from eight to 35 members in a few months. It’s fantastic.
“We are even moving to bigger premises within the office, multiplying our workshop by six times the size, and office/meeting room by twice the size.”
The charity has made a real difference to the lives of its members.
Derek added: “One gentleman had cancer in his back, which has gone into remission.
“He is a former welder and has to walk with sticks. His son came a week or two later to the open day and said we’d made such a difference to his dad, who had got a new zest for life and he now comes every week.”
Graham’s Soup Kitchen and Men’s Shed are just two charities to find a home at Swan House, with groups including Positive Steps, Solas, Mission International, Aspire, Dundee Heritage, the YMCA and a start-up photographer
Anyone interested in joining Men’s Shed should contact 01382 562638 and 07789933522 or visit www.carseofgowriemensshed.webs.com.