Birds, Bugs and Stables annex takes shape

Residents being helped to “get back on their feet” through the art of woodwork have been thanked after a special donation to Stockton Crematorium.

The Norton Men’s Shed group, based in a Portacabin at the Norton Sports Charity on Station Road, is primarily made up of people from all age groups and abilities. The group aims to take people who are isolated or feeling cut off by a loss and provide a welcome distraction in the company of others.

The project has worked alongside NHS local social prescribing link workers and those with similar roles in other authorities.
In a recent project the group received pallets from Stockton Crematorium and returned them as bird boxes and bug hotels to be placed around the Crematorium grounds.

The group, which is currently fully subscribed, are providing a service to the community with their impressive woodwork.

However, organiser Graham Storer insists the emphasis is on their members’ wellbeing.
He said: “The Men’s Shed is way of trying to help the individual get back on their feet.
“The woodwork is a simple distraction for the members to give them something else to think about while they are here in the Shed!”

After the success of the bird boxes and bug hotels, up next the group will be supplying hedgehog houses to be placed at the Norton Sports Complex to help injured hedgehogs recuperate back to full health.

Councillor Cllr Clare Gamble, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport praised the work of Norton Men’s Shed and thanked them for the new additions to the Crematorium grounds.
She said: “Groups like Norton Men’s Shed are an integral part of the community, helping residents who would otherwise be alone meet other people and help boost their mental health.”