The new group has been organised by the Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service working with the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.

The Southminster Railway Shed volunteers are on the lookout for new members and are underway with clearing, tidying and organising the Shed, which is part of the old station building to make it fit for use and as welcoming as possible.

The volunteers have also been hard at work clearing and tidying the garden areas and have plans to put compost bins in place and to add more flowers to brighten up the platforms planters.

Men’s Sheds is an innovative approach to bringing people together with an aim to tackle loneliness and isolation whilst improving men’s health and wellbeing by creating a community space where people can meet and chat and get involved with creative projects.

Rober Adams is a Shed member and also a volunteer at the station as part of the Greater Anglia’s Station Adoption initiative, which encourages people to work with the train operator in order to improve their local railway stations making them suitable for a community’s needs and aspirations.

Robert said:

“Creating a Men’s Shed at Southminster Station has been a seven-year mission, but well worth the wait. It is especially exciting to realise that the Shed based on the station platform is the first of its kind in England.

“It’s great to be with chaps that enjoy the shoulder-to-shoulder camaraderie, whether it be constructing a garden planter together or sitting quietly enjoying the banter whilst devouring a chocolate biscuit washed down with a cup of tea.”

Jayne Sumner, Rail Engagement Manager for the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, said,

“I’m delighted to see the Men’s Shed now up and running at Southminster station and we are looking forward to working with them.

“We work with all sorts of community partners – including other Men’s Sheds in the county – to help our communities thrive and we are very grateful for their support and enthusiasm.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager commented,

“This exciting first for a Men’s Shed – being located on a railway platform – puts Southminster station at the heart of its community, playing an important role in health and wellbeing and helping to tackle isolation.

“This project is an excellent addition to the many other fantastic community rail projects that are in progress right across our network and I wish them every success.”

Sarah Troop, Director of the Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service, said,

“Men’s sheds come in all shapes and sizes and it is great to be able to open the first on a station platform, it has great potential to be a community hub and due to its location on the train line will be easily accessible to men across the rural Dengie peninsula. We look forward to seeing it grow.”

To apply to be part of the Southminster Railway Shed please contact Matt Hume on [email protected]