MEMBERS of Trowbridge Shed are celebrating after landing a cash boost from the Asda Foundation.

The group, which meets weekly to have a chat and take part in activities, has been awarded £750 which will be used to buy new tools and equipment to enhance the experience for its members.

Geoff West, secretary for Trowbridge Shed, said: "The grant has enabled us to pursue the purchasing of new equipment for our wood working shop.

“We have been actively involved with projects for other local community groups and these tools will help us considerably in being able to do more for such groups, more easily.

“Our numbers are increasing and being able to offer a shed with a well-equipped workshop helps us to promote ourselves more attractively.”

Older people’s charity Royal Voluntary Service, with funding from the Asda Foundation, established the Sheds Grant Fund to provide small-scale funding to shed groups which are looking for help with either set up, or early stage development costs.

Grants of between £250 and £1,000 were made available with applicants encouraged to apply for some of the tools and equipment they need for their activities, or ongoing costs such as help with their rent or insurance.

The shed movement follows a blueprint from an Australian project and since the first men’s shed opened in the UK six years ago, there are now over 300 in the UK with three new sheds on average opening a week.

Sheds are often places for older men to come together and work on either individual or community projects but are now increasingly seeing younger men and women getting involved.