Repair Cafes, Growing Places and Things in Between

What kids need is what Shedders appreciate, sharing and learning skills. The picture illustrates Kids Repair Cafes. 

Repair Cafes are springing up all over the world usually as an occasional event. That is a distinguishing feature from Sheds which are weekly at least. Another difference is that Repair Cafes are centred on repairing things, whereas a Shed is about repairing people!

Both have a similar focus on doing, sharing skills and learning. Hand held devices as entertainment don’t figure in either.

It’s a great photograph showing interaction between two non-consecutive generations, grandchildren and grandparents. 

It is probable that both generations are learning from each other and together.

We are really hoping that some of the old craft skills with be brought back ahead. No machine intelligence, just human skills. There may be opportunity to make some equipment (pole lathe, draw blade horse, treadle drill etc.). We can then go and live in the woods!

Next a few photos of goings on at the Shed

We’ve been busy tidying up in both workshops, with the Stables taking the lead. The Portakabin is catching up under the leadership of Dennis and it is being transformed by new shelving units hanging off the French cleats.

Jacko has been busy restoring a cartridge box for a lady in Hartlepool (one of our donors of goods).

The Portakabin is now a very comfortable place to sit in (and work!!). Much more comfortable with the new infrared heater. 

Walter is on with the larger scale model railway, and discovering materials we have that can be repurposed for the layout.

Bird cage grit makes excellent model scale ballast for the tracks (mixed with glue) and artificial turf makes great embankments. He has made a sample strip.

On Saturday Walter was at a Garden Scale model railway event in Darlington. He took a display with him. Paul joined in too and later Dennis and Graham arrived (for a hot dog!). He had a 3D printed sign to say who we were.

   What to do if someone has an epileptic seizure – don’t panic!

We had discussion recently with one of our occasional introduction partners about the suitability of the Shed for an epileptic man.

Here is a very helpful video on it which is basically what we had decided on. Ask the person themselves what should happen.  We came across a person in the Whitby Town Shed some years ago and it is basically what we did then.

Epileptic Seizure – what to do.

Submission to Northern Cancer Alliance Community Connector Fund

So pleased that the concept of the project has been well received by our local contact at North Tees Hospital, also Macmillan, Northern Cancer Voices and “our” local Social Prescribing Link Working team. Hoping it will be funded, but there’s a keenness to work together come what may. 

Thanks Shedders for helping to Shine the Light Into Cancer. 

Shedder Jacko received the news this week that he is now in remission. Good news.

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Hi Graham

From Heather Sykes at Catalyst

Hope you are all well.

I’m just emailing, as we’re holding an event, provisionally on Wednesday 21st January 2026, that looks into the learning and experience of Catalyst’s Reducing Inequalities project, which provided the funding Norton Men’s Shed received.

We’re looking at 3 organisations who received funding to speak for around 15-20 minutes each about what they did with the money received, how it impacted the people attending the sessions, any challenges you faced & how you overcame them and anything you learned from receiving the money, particularly around health inequalities.

We realise that there would be work involved in preparing for the event and attending, so we are offering speakers a fee for coming along and sharing what they have done.

Just let me know if you have any questions.

Kind Regards

Heather

The star of this would be the wheelchair lift. It continues to surprise people! It now helps two individuals and possibly 3 shortly. 

Maybe the presenters on the day will be the 3 Wheelchair Heroes. 

Here is an illustration we provided to Catalyst a few months’ ago. 

Wheelchair story

At BBC Radio Tees this morning, Steve and Graham

Here is Kelly at work after our slot. Kelly was standing in for Gary.

Posting the interview her when uploaded by BBC Tees.

Whitby Town Shed new banner photo

 

Two projects on the cards for 2026 potentially for Portrack, a Shed and an outside project

Graham and Dennis have joined to advise and help Portrack Baptist Church with planning both projects, with the growing project fitting in with a Stockton Borough Council funding programme.  Part of our Shed strategy of helping other community activities start.