Looe Shedders need a Permanent Home
Looe Shedders has grown rapidly since our first meeting in 2021.
With 61 members and strong community support, we now have the opportunity to build a permanent home at a local Abbey. A purpose-designed workshop and community space that will transform what we can offer.
For the first time, we will have a stable base where people can meet, learn, create, repair, and support one another in a safe and welcoming environment.
Why We Need a Permanent Home
We currently operate from borrowed spaces, temporary storage units, and a short-term garage loan.
This limits:
• The number of people we can support
• The projects we can take on
• The tools and equipment we can safely store
• Our ability to run structured training and wellbeing activities
A permanent home will allow us to expand our impact and support more people in Looe who are experiencing loneliness, isolation, or loss of purpose.
The Dream Is Within Reach
The wonderful Chemin Neuf Community at Sclerder Abbey has offered us land to build a purpose-built, eco-friendly workshop. A home that’s warm, green, and built to last.
Our new shed will have:
• Solar panels to power our tools sustainably (and feedback surplus energy to the Abbey).
• Heat pumps and great insulation to stay comfortable year-round.
• Space for people to create, learn, and belong.
This is our chance to create a real home for creativity, community and care right here in Looe, but we need your help to make it happen.
Our Building Design
Our new workshop will be specifically designed for our needs and built in phased modules using shipping containers as the structural foundation.
The design includes:
• A large toolroom (three joined containers, 6.1m × 7.3m).
• A quiet room (a fourth container, 6.1m × 8.3m, with a linking space).
• Internal walls and ceilings added as funds permit.
• A pitched roof for insulation, weather protection, and solar panels.
• Power, water, and sewage connected to the Abbey’s utilities.
Check out this Link for diagrams .
This approach gives us a strong, durable, flexible building that can grow as funding becomes available.
Our Construction Plan
Each stage, apart from the big one at £50,000, is estimated to cost less than £5,000, making this a manageable community project.
Project Schedule – Costs are estimates
• Demolish existing buildings - £5,000
• Clear and prepare site - £5,000
• Install container 1 - £5,000
• Install container 2 - £5,000
• Install container 3 - £5,000
• Join containers 1 to 3 and remove internal walls - £5,000
• Add insulation, floor, ceiling and walls - £5,000
• Install container 4 - £5,000
• Add remaining flooring, walls & pitched roof - £50,000
• Add solar panels, water supply & sewage connection - £5,000
• Contingency costs - £5,000
Total project cost: £100,000
Every £5,000 raised unlocks another stage of construction.
How You Can Help
We have launched a major fundraising appeal to build this new home.
You can support us by:
• Making a donation, however small, it all helps.
• Or sponsoring a £5,000 module.
• Supporting us through your business or organisation.
• Sharing our appeal with others.
• Helping with fundraising events.
Together, we can build a place where people find friendship, purpose, and community.
Regards
Chris Roy
Chairman – Looe Shedders CIO