Chippenham Men's Shed (CIO)

Open from 09:00 to 12:00 every Tuesday.

We're not just about making and mending!

The aims (objects) of the CIO Are:

To promote social inclusion for the public benefit, the preservation and protection of good health among in particular but not exclusively men in Chippenham and the surrounding area, including those who are retired, unemployed or have health problems, through the provision of facilities for hobbies, recreation or other leisure time occupation including practical interests, skills sharing, the learning of new skills, and helping with community based projects.

Who we are?

Chippenham Men's is a safe community space for men to connect, converse and create. Our activities are often similar to those of a garden shed, but for groups of men to enjoy together and have fun. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men's Sheds are the opposite.

What is a shed!

They are about meeting people and having someone to share your worries with. They are about having fun, sharing skills and knowledge with like-minded people and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. As a by-product of all of that they reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow men to deal with mental health challenges more easily and remain independent, they rebuild communities and in many cases, they save men's lives.

Sheds are whatever the members want them to be!

Although labelled sheds, they often are not sheds at all. They can be empty offices, portable cabin's, warehouses, garages, and in at least one case, a disused mortuary. Some Sheds are purpose-built workshops, but they rarely start out that way. Many don't have premises at all in the beginning and instead form a group that meets regularly for the social connection, company and camaraderie until they can find somewhere to kit out with tools. Many Sheds get involved in community projects too – restoring village features, helping keep parks and green spaces, and building things for schools, libraries, and individuals in need.