FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Meet - Make - Communicate
Here are just a few of the questions prospective members, and other members of the public, may have.
Please feel free to ask us, if your question is not answered here.
What is 'The Port Men in Sheds' (TPMiS)? It is a charity and a place for men to meet, chat, drink tea, share skills, make things, socialise, make music... Please have a look at some of the other pages to help you get a feel for what we are about.
Where are you based? We are based at Overpool Community Centre, Rivacre Road, Ellesmere Port,Cheshire,
CH66 1LL.
Do I need to bring my own tools? No, but some members choose to bring a small tool box or tool bag, as they prefer using their own tools.
Do I need to bring my own resources? We do have some wood, which we sell for a small donation, to members, if they are using it for projects for themselves or family members. Some members bring their own wood etc.
When are you open? Currently, we are open Mon to Fri from 9.30 am - 3.30pm.
What do members do for lunch? Most members bring a packed lunch. There is also a 'Butty Van' that visits the industrial estate each day. Some members buy lunch from the van.
What activities are available? Over the years, the range of activities has varied and we have arranged activities for members with similar interests. Currently, the activities are mainly woodwork, pool, darts, a music group and we have a small 'home gym' for members to use. We hope to extend the range of activities in the coming months e.g. more social events.
Is it just for people interested in woodwork? No. We have people who just come for a chat and a drink of tea with other 'shedders'. Some members make items for other hobbies e.g. scenery for model railways, some members make guitars and banjos and some members are interested in repurposing, upcycling or restoring items. Some members come just for the music group sessions.
Do I have to live in Ellesmere Port to be a member of The Port Men in Sheds (TPMiS)? Although we are based in Ellesmere Port, we have members who live in E.Port, Neston, Bromborough, Eastham, Meols, Heswall, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Hawarden, Flint… We welcome members from across Cheshire, Wirral and N. Wales.
Do I need woodwork skills to join? No. Other members will help you if you ask. Our members have a range of skills and expertise, from beginners to very experienced.
I can't play and instrument, but I am interested in attending the music group on a Monday morning. Members of the music group can support you if you want to learn to play or sing along.
I don't have much experience using power tools and machines. Will someone show me how to use them? Yes. There is an 'induction course' that members must complete before they can use the machinery.
How much does it cost? At the moment the cost to be a member of TPMiS is £20 per month. Members can attend as many sessions as they like during the month. Some members come once or twice a week, some members come along every day and some members come along when they fancy it or when they want a bit of company and conversation. Payment is made by standing order on the 1st of each month.
What's the age range of your members? Our members ages range from 50 - 96. We are open to members who are 18+, but currently the vast majority of our members are 50+
How do I become a member? Pop along to 'The Shed' and talk one of the members (ask for Rob. G), use the contact form on this website or call us 07878 174 312.
Will someone show me around? Yes. We are a welcoming bunch! We will even offer you a drink and a biscuit, if there are any biscuits left!
Will I get a 'buddy' when I join? The 'Shedders' are very welcoming. If you feel having a 'buddy' will help you settle in, we can arrange that.
Are members supervised? No. We look out for each other, but members are not supervised.
I have dementia (or another illness). Will I be supervised when I attend? No - sorry. At they moment we don't have the trained staff to look after men who need individual or close supervision. If a 'carer' is willing to come along and support the gentleman, when he is at 'The Shed', please talk to us.
Can women attend sessions? Sorry, not at the moment, but it is something we may start in the future.
How long have you been established? We started life as part of a project run by Age UK in 2010. Since Sept 2020 we have been our own individual charity. So, we've been supporting men of E.Port and the surrounding area for over 13 years.
Do you sell items you make? Yes. Most items are made by members for themselves or their family and friends. We do sell items and that income supports the running of 'The Shed'. We sell items via our Facebook page and on this website. We also make items for the community groups and companies.
Do you restore items? Yes, but we need to see the item or at least talk to you about it first. We may not have the time, a member available to work on the item or space to help everyone. Please e-mail us or call 07878 174 312
We have some tools that we no longer need. Do you need any tools? We do accept tools and other items that are no longer needed or wanted, but due to lack of space we can't always accept everything, we are offered. Please e-mail or ring us and we can have a chat.
We donate unwanted tools toTOOLS WITH A MISSION a charity that sends unwanted tools to people across Africa.
If you have any other questions - please contact us.
Thank you for your interest in The Port Men in Sheds.
Here are just a few of the questions prospective members, and other members of the public, may have.
Please feel free to ask us, if your question is not answered here.
What is 'The Port Men in Sheds' (TPMiS)? It is a charity and a place for men to meet, chat, drink tea, share skills, make things, socialise, make music... Please have a look at some of the other pages to help you get a feel for what we are about.
Where are you based? We are based at Overpool Community Centre, Rivacre Road, Ellesmere Port,Cheshire,
CH66 1LL.
Do I need to bring my own tools? No, but some members choose to bring a small tool box or tool bag, as they prefer using their own tools.
Do I need to bring my own resources? We do have some wood, which we sell for a small donation, to members, if they are using it for projects for themselves or family members. Some members bring their own wood etc.
When are you open? Currently, we are open Mon to Fri from 9.30 am - 3.30pm.
What do members do for lunch? Most members bring a packed lunch. There is also a 'Butty Van' that visits the industrial estate each day. Some members buy lunch from the van.
What activities are available? Over the years, the range of activities has varied and we have arranged activities for members with similar interests. Currently, the activities are mainly woodwork, pool, darts, a music group and we have a small 'home gym' for members to use. We hope to extend the range of activities in the coming months e.g. more social events.
Is it just for people interested in woodwork? No. We have people who just come for a chat and a drink of tea with other 'shedders'. Some members make items for other hobbies e.g. scenery for model railways, some members make guitars and banjos and some members are interested in repurposing, upcycling or restoring items. Some members come just for the music group sessions.
Do I have to live in Ellesmere Port to be a member of The Port Men in Sheds (TPMiS)? Although we are based in Ellesmere Port, we have members who live in E.Port, Neston, Bromborough, Eastham, Meols, Heswall, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Hawarden, Flint… We welcome members from across Cheshire, Wirral and N. Wales.
Do I need woodwork skills to join? No. Other members will help you if you ask. Our members have a range of skills and expertise, from beginners to very experienced.
I can't play and instrument, but I am interested in attending the music group on a Monday morning. Members of the music group can support you if you want to learn to play or sing along.
I don't have much experience using power tools and machines. Will someone show me how to use them? Yes. There is an 'induction course' that members must complete before they can use the machinery.
How much does it cost? At the moment the cost to be a member of TPMiS is £20 per month. Members can attend as many sessions as they like during the month. Some members come once or twice a week, some members come along every day and some members come along when they fancy it or when they want a bit of company and conversation. Payment is made by standing order on the 1st of each month.
What's the age range of your members? Our members ages range from 50 - 96. We are open to members who are 18+, but currently the vast majority of our members are 50+
How do I become a member? Pop along to 'The Shed' and talk one of the members (ask for Rob. G), use the contact form on this website or call us 07878 174 312.
Will someone show me around? Yes. We are a welcoming bunch! We will even offer you a drink and a biscuit, if there are any biscuits left!
Will I get a 'buddy' when I join? The 'Shedders' are very welcoming. If you feel having a 'buddy' will help you settle in, we can arrange that.
Are members supervised? No. We look out for each other, but members are not supervised.
I have dementia (or another illness). Will I be supervised when I attend? No - sorry. At they moment we don't have the trained staff to look after men who need individual or close supervision. If a 'carer' is willing to come along and support the gentleman, when he is at 'The Shed', please talk to us.
Can women attend sessions? Sorry, not at the moment, but it is something we may start in the future.
How long have you been established? We started life as part of a project run by Age UK in 2010. Since Sept 2020 we have been our own individual charity. So, we've been supporting men of E.Port and the surrounding area for over 13 years.
Do you sell items you make? Yes. Most items are made by members for themselves or their family and friends. We do sell items and that income supports the running of 'The Shed'. We sell items via our Facebook page and on this website. We also make items for the community groups and companies.
Do you restore items? Yes, but we need to see the item or at least talk to you about it first. We may not have the time, a member available to work on the item or space to help everyone. Please e-mail us or call 07878 174 312
We have some tools that we no longer need. Do you need any tools? We do accept tools and other items that are no longer needed or wanted, but due to lack of space we can't always accept everything, we are offered. Please e-mail or ring us and we can have a chat.
We donate unwanted tools toTOOLS WITH A MISSION a charity that sends unwanted tools to people across Africa.
If you have any other questions - please contact us.
Thank you for your interest in The Port Men in Sheds.
