It has been a busy year for Jonny Wood, Better Together’s Men’s Shed Network Facilitator and he has been supported in his work with a generous £10,000 donation from Norfolk Recovery Fund.
Like most community venues, Men’s Sheds were forced to close because of Covid but Jonny has been busy behind the scenes, provided ongoing support, advice and guidance and keeping the Shedders across Norfolk connected.
One of his first tasks was to increase access to the benefits of online communications, as many of Shed’s leadership team were previously unfamiliar with Zoom and email.
Norfolk County Council generously donated a batch of 60 reconditioned laptops for use by Shed leaders and Jonny has supported Shed leaders to develop and embed their skills though training and by hosting regular Zoom meetings, where leaders can share concerns about the running of sheds, engage with and support each other. Issues covered included COVID-safe reopening, health & safety, safeguarding matters, funding issues and dealing with referrals.
Jonny is also helping the development of new Sheds and helping others, such as Cromer and Acle, find a suitable home.
In recognition of his successful work developing the Norfolk Men’s Sheds network, Jonny has been asked by Community Action Suffolk to develop a similar network in Suffolk, and he also now co-ordinates the meetings of UK Men’s Sheds Association’s ambassadors for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
For further info about Men’s Sheds and an online map of all Sheds in Norfolk, visit our dedicated webpage.
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