Volunteers from local Chartered Accountants, Ormerod Rutter, were met with a pleasant surprise when they took part in a festive Shed Share Sponsors Day at the local Bromsgrove Men in Sheds group, recently.
Men in Sheds was inspired by an Australian project which began in the 1990’s, as a way of tackling loneliness and social isolation in older men who experience loss of status and contact after retirement. Bromsgrove Men in Sheds was set up by Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest in 2016 and has been operating out of a unit on the Metal & Ores Industrial Estate, Stoke Prior.
Ormerod Rutter are one of the Shed Share Scheme sponsors which raises funds to support the development of the Bromsgrove Men in Sheds group. Employees at the accounting firm were given the opportunity to take part in the volunteers’ day for the local charity. When the team of twelve enthusiastic volunteers went along to a festive activity day at the Shed, no one expected to meet one of the founding clients of the firm.
“It was such a pleasant surprise” explained Amy Cooper from Ormerod Rutter. “We’ve taken part in lots of volunteer days and activities organised by Men in Shed’s over the years, but this is the first time we’ve made a connection with anyone who had links to the firm.”
A regular member of Men in Sheds, Jim Collis, was demonstrating woodwork and decoration techniques, when he and Amy got into a conversation about his life, pre-retirement. Jim owned and ran a successful local business, J & G Engineering, and was one of Peter Ormerod’s first clients when he set up his firm in 1984.
“After several years in engineering, I decided to start my own company with my friend Greg Wilde. The practical side was not a problem, but the financial side was over our heads, so we looked for an accountant and set up a meeting with Peter.” Begins Jim.
“We explained what we wanted to do, and he took over! The reason why we chose Peter – he was not a ‘Toffee-Nosed-Accountant’, he was down to earth and explained in ‘layman’s terms’ all the steps. I then retired to spend more time with my wife Pauline who had cancer – we travelled halfway around the world, including Pauline’s favourite – Graceland. Sadly, Pauline passed away after that and I was left in a dark place. Although you have family and friends close by something was missing, my confidence was not there. This was not me. I joined a bereavement group, and it helped a bit but then I found Men in Sheds… I joined and never looked back; my confidence is back 100 percent.”
The Shed provides a personal network for the men who get involved, known affectionately as “shedders”. They form friendships, regain their sense of purpose and it helps to prevent and tackle loneliness and social isolation. Excitingly, the Bromsgrove Shed also benefits the wider community.
Shedders get involved in a range of local community projects. Recent activities include building a pallet car for Stoke Prior First School, along with the Stoke Prior Community Book Library, and making “twiddle boards” to support people living with dementia.
Jo Hughes, Charity Director for Bromsgrove Men in Sheds, said “the support shown by the team at Ormerod Rutter has been incredible. They created some brilliant pieces during our festive afternoon, but it was their interaction with the Shedders which was the most notable. Their connection to Jim has made the experience feel that little bit more special this year.
We are extremely grateful to the Ormerod team for their continued support to the Shed. It really does make a difference to the lives of those that attend, and it is important that it continues.”
To help raise funds, the Shedders make a variety of items (including the infamous Reindeer and Snowmen, experienced by the Ormerod team), as well as taking on requests for specific projects.
Individuals and businesses can also support the group through their Shed Share Scheme.
If you, or someone who know, would benefit from joining Bromsgrove Men in Sheds, or if you would like further information, please contact Jo Hughes on 01527 570490 or email enquiries@ageukbrwf.org.uk.
