A COMMUNITY group which has tackled social isolation in communities all over the district has marked a major milestone after hitting 400 members.

Inverclyde Shed, which was constituted in 2019, has grown steadily over the last four years, and members now get the chance to take part in a huge variety of classes and workshops at its main base on East Blackhall Street in Greenock. 

The facility was acquired through a community asset transfer with Inverclyde Council and was formally unveiled in April 2023.

Greenock Telegraph: Inverclyde Shed
Founder Bruce Newlands and the team have also set up and continue to maintain community gardens in Shore Street in Gourock and Muirshiel Lane in Port Glasgow.

Bruce says an ethos of 'meet, make, grow, share' has been at the heart of of the Shed's success story.

He added: "The Shed is completely 100 per cent volunteer run and is an example of community led action with people coming together to help one another and improve Inverclyde.

"Members all contribute towards the sustainable running of the Shed in the long term."

Some of the activities offered at East Blackhall Street include cooking and baking, quilting, sewing, arts and crafts, playing bass and ukelele, wood carving, electronics, and robotics. 

Funding from the National Lottery People's Project has allowed the team to run short courses including creative writing, upholstery, knitting, panel carving, songwriting and photography. 

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The non-profit organisation has piloted a Lego club for parents and youngsters and is in the process of developing an evening joinery workshop and digital design sessions. 

Bruce says the expansion of the Shed's evening programme has been 'wonderful to see'. 

He added: "It's been one of the best things to happen since we moved to our new building.

"We want people across Inverclyde to meet up, share experiences, have fun and connect with one another over everything from playing bass to making soup.

"We're always on the lookout for people with workshop management skills who would like to supervise classes."

Shed volunteers take their passion for creativity and sustainability out into the community. 

In October last year, the organisation lodged a community asset transfer request with Inverclyde Council to bring a stretch of the walled garden in Gourock back to life. 

Members also want to create and develop heritage and creative spaces within the former Glebe sugar refinery building, if a planned regeneration goes ahead.

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The Shed recently appointed trustee Peter McNab as its new chair. 

He said: "I'm so proud to have taken over at a time when so much opportunity lies ahead. 

"It's really amazing that we've grown.

"We know it's not always easy to have that confidence to join up, but once you're in the door you're guaranteed a warm welcome."

Margaret Moyse, vice chair and trustee, added: "I think our growth shows the impact the Shed is having across Inverclyde."