Men's Shed in Fleetwood reopens doors to people struggling with mental health after lockdown

Men’s Shed Fleetwood, on Manor Road, was forced to close in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Founder Tony O’Neill said the months of lockdown had caused many depressed people to spiral as they struggled with isolation and a lack of work.

He said: “People have been suffering for the past few months. We have never been so busy as during lockdown, sorting out furniture and food and places for people to stay.

“We have had men and women starting out lockdown with people they have never lived with before. Relationships break down and they’re coming to us with bin bags and nothing else.

“It has been non-stop for the past four months and there’s a lot of people out there needing us now.

“Lockdown has brought mental health home for a lot of people. They might have been struggling before, but at least they could go out and chat it out with their mates and at work, and get activities done to get their minds off it. But staying at home with no one to talk to and nothing to do has really knocked people back.”

Changes have been put in place at the club to help with social distancing while government rules state that people should not meet in groups of more than six individuals outside of their own household.

People who want to attend the club are asked to contact the Men’s Shed Fleetwood Facebook page to arrange an appointment instead of walking in.

Tony said: “We’re hoping for people to come and chat, more than anything. We haven’t been able to start our workshops yet.

“We’re most definitely feeling optimistic... as long as we don’t get a second spike and have to close again.”