A GROUP of handymen in Breightmet are showing off their talents at a new weekly project aimed at encouraging retired or isolated men to learn new skills and socialise.

The Men in Sheds project is open to all males to join, but particularly welcomes the elderly or those who have had time in hospital and need to build confidence and meet new people.

The wellbeing programme started in Australia before Age UK brought it over to the UK and Bolton at Home took on the initiative, which has been part-funded by Warburtons Bakery, in January.

NHS Choices states that an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) mentions the Men in Sheds project when it discussed the need for policy, practice and research aimed specifically at men's health in Europe.

Men from the age of 28 to 80 attend the weekly session on Thursday between 10am and 1pm, using donated tools, held at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) in Bury Road, Breightmet.

Stephen Lilly, also from Breightmet, has been a volunteer at the trust for two years and says the project has been a vital part of his recovery from a serious health problem.

The 51-year-old said: "I love coming to the group. I retired early for health reasons and this has been a great way to help build my confidence back up and learn new skills.

"I had a brain tumour in 1998 and was on a life support machine. I had to learn to walk again; it was really touch and go. But Men in Sheds is great because you can come here, do as much as you can, or just socialise with the other men."

The group currently has about 15 men that attend the sessions, all with different abilities and skill sets, who create items made from wood — including a gate and house for insects, which is due to be donated to Ladywood School in Little Lever.

William Patton, aged 41, lives with his parents in Breightmet and uses the group as a way to socialise.

He said: "I have been coming since February. I like the fact I can make things and meet other people. I helped to make the bug house by making the holes in the wood. It's really enjoyable."

Project officer at LWT Stephen Cartwright said: "We don't say no to anyone here. We have elderly people, retired people, people who have had a spell in hospital and young people too. GPs have even started referring people to us.

"Men don't often sit down and have a cuppa and a chat, but if you get them together to make something in the workshop they're talking quickly enough."

Bolton at Home neighbourhood manager Tony Cottam said: "The project has been really successful so far. Men are really hard to engage with and this is the most successful that we have set up and run in Breightmet."