We provide a meeting place, typically but not exclusively, for retired men to meet and work on either personal or community-based projects. During this year we have had to relocate to new premises on Ham Lane, Lewes. The meeting place has a fully equipped workshop with various donated tools and materials. The work benches and racking in the workshop were all designed and built by members. 

Much of our efforts this year have been involved in reorganising our new workshop area, downsizing and rehoming redundant machinery. 

Our premises are generously provided by Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society. We contribute via site maintenance and also help with their Bonfire activities. To this end we produced several hundred torch sticks for their processions, built several firework stands and provided onsite security staff to reduce their costs for their Bonfire Procession in Lewes. 

Much the same as last year, our members have repaired, renovated and built benches for various groups in Lewes. We have also been constructing compost bins and raised beds for Landport Community Garden. Our group was asked to repaint all the planters at Lewes Railway Station. We also were involved in planting 100+ trees at Northease Manor School. One particularly interesting project came from a request from Lewes Castle. We were asked to provide some stocks to replace their dilapidated ones. As there was no budget, one of our members produced a reasonable facsimile. Wherever possible we use recovered or donated materials for community-based projects. This reduces the costs involved and makes effective use of resources. Our labour is provided free of charge. Community projects are useful in that they provide ‘projects for idle hands’ and give something back to the community. We have repaired or rebuilt benches for Royal British Legion, a community bench in the Nevill estate, planters and birdboxes for Lewes House Garden, planters for Pippa’s Nursery. We have also built birdboxes for many people using found materials and are looking at hedgehog boxes and bat boxes for the future. We designed and built a set of bookshelves for Lewes Railway Station. Because of ‘difficulties’ getting funding for this we subsidised the project by purchasing the materials. 

For personal projects, our members have constructed coffee tables, bookshelves, chopping boards, coat stands, Xmas decorations, garden benches and simple things like garden plant labels. We have also repaired Windsor chairs, reupholstered chairs, stripped and waxed tables and other furniture. 

On the social inclusion side of things, one of our long-term members no longer needs social worker support to attend sessions. One of our newer members with short term memory loss appreciates the social environment and has regained his confidence in making stuff like bookshelves. He knows and that we will give him time and support, when needed. One of our founder members has a set of health problems, which means he can no longer drive. We provide transport to bring him to the Shed when he is fit enough to attend. Several of our members have helped to reduce his at-home clutter and make his home environment safer. 

We still maintain links with Lewes’ GP practice (Foundry Healthcare) and have regular contact with their Social Prescribers who may refer people to us. We also have a ‘signposting’ role in referring people on to the Social Practitioner. Tea, coffee and refreshments are provided free of charge whenever the Shed is open. 



We provide a light lunch on Wednesdays (busier session). This is much appreciated by all the membership. 


LEWES MEN'S SHED REGISTERED CHARITY 1204284 Statement of Accounts for the year ending 30th April 2025 

|ASSETS|||
|---|---|---|
|On 1st April 2024 our opening balance was|10981.57||
|On 30th April 2025 our closing balance was|9876.15||
|Cash reserves|36.00||
|INCOME|||
|Membership Subscriptons|1929.62||
|Income from projects|330.00||
|Total:|2259.62||
|EXPENDITURE|||
|Consumables & Materials||290.26|
|Smarty charges||240|
|Insurance||151.2|
|Total:||681.46|
|Charity Commission declared income||2259.62|
|Charity Commission declared spending||681.00|
|Charity Commission declared income Legacies & Donatons||1929.62|
|Charity Commission declared income Charitable Actvites||230.00|
|Charity Commission declared income Other trading actvites||100.00|
|Charity Commission declared income Investments||0.00|
|Charity Commission declared income Other||0.00|