Stour Valley Men’s Shed has been a lifeline for dozens of local men since opening at Long Melford Football Club in 2023.
The Football Club kindly welcomed us onto their site under a community partnership arrangement. This gave us the chance to create a safe, welcoming space where men of all ages could come together to share skills, make friends, and support one another. Many of our members were referred through GPs and social prescribing, or joined because they were facing loneliness, retirement, or mental health challenges.
Earlier this year, things were looking brighter than ever. We had just secured funding to begin renovations on our building at the Club, which would have expanded what we could offer. But just as the first phase was about to begin, news came that our time at the site would soon come to an end due to redevelopment linked to the Club’s hope of a promotion bid. With strict new league requirements for facilities, there was no longer space for us to stay.
The impact was immediate. Renovation work had to be paused indefinitely, and we were forced to close our doors to new members, leaving many on a waiting list. For men referred by their GP or reaching out for help, this has been a painful setback.
Then came a lifeline. After one of our members gave a heartfelt speech about what the Shed means, a local landowner stepped forward with an incredible offer: a new home at Stafford Park. His generosity has given us hope — but now we urgently need your help to make this move possible.
Our £25,000 Goal
We have just six months to relocate and set up at Stafford Park. To do this, we need to raise £25,000, which will cover:
£10,000 – Relocation and set-up
(groundworks, utilities, toilets, workshop containers, and safety equipment)
£8,000–£10,000 – Community mini-bus
(so members without transport, including those referred by GPs, can continue to attend)
£5,000–£7,000 – Tools, materials, and equipment
(timber, benches, storage, hardware – the basics we need to keep projects running)
This target will secure the Shed’s future. Once achieved, we will introduce stretch goals to expand even further.
Why It Matters
Men’s Sheds are internationally recognised for their impact on wellbeing. They provide:
Friendship – a place where men can belong
Purpose – opportunities to share and learn new skills
Support – improving mental health, reducing isolation, and building confidence
Here in Stour Valley, our Shed has already supported the wider community — helping local schools, charities, and groups with practical projects such as repairs, installations, and building items for shared spaces.
At the same time, we’ve helped relieve pressure on NHS and local services by giving men referred through GPs and social prescribing schemes a safe and purposeful place to go.
As one member put it:
“The Shed has been a lifeline. Without it, I’d be completely alone.”
How You Can Help
You can support us in three simple ways:
Donate – every gift takes us closer to £25,000.
Share – please spread the word on social media, in local groups, and with friends.
Offer help – we urgently need practical support too. If you can donate materials, equipment, or skills, please reach out. We need everything from shipping containers and timber to tables, chairs, and even a kitchen set-up to make the Shed fully functional again.
If you or your business can help, please reach out via email or drop us a call/message.
Together We Can Build the Future
“This truly has saved us,” says Dom Hoare, Chairman of Stour Valley Men’s Shed. “We were staring down closure, but now we have hope again. With your help, we can make the Shed stronger than ever — a home for this generation and the next.”
Please, if you can, donate today and be part of saving something that really matters.
Thank you for your support.
Organizer
Stour Valley Men's Shed
Organizer
England