Saffron Walden Community Shed has received a £5,000 donation to support its relocation and help further its work.
Set up in 2018, the Community Shed - supported by Uttlesford Community Action Network - provides a friendly meeting place and support for retired, unemployed or unwell local people who might otherwise find themselves isolated or lonely.
The shed was previously located at St Mark's College in Audley End, but when it was sold relocated to a large, Victorian brick-built barn.
Housebuilders McCarthy Stone donated £5,000 to help transform the interior of the new venue to make it suitable for the charity.
Peter Morrissey, a trustee at the Community Shed, said: "For many years, the Community Shed has provided a lifeline for many, mainly older, local people who have no family living nearby and so are among those most prone to isolation and loneliness.
"Thanks to the donation from McCarthy Stone, we can continue our vital work in supporting local people by providing a variety of activities, such as crafting, as well as supporting other local and voluntary organisations through our 'making and mending' initiative.
"We can’t thank them enough."
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McCarthy Stone is currently building the forthcoming Saffron Walden Retirement Living Plus developments, located on land south of Radwinter Road.
The homes are designed for retirees age 70-plus.
Sales and marketing director Sam Watkins said: "As a company specialising in the development of friendly and welcoming communities for retirees, the happiness and welfare of older people is at the heart of everything we do.
"This makes initiatives such as the Saffron Walden Community Shed a great fit for us to support.
"We look forward to seeing the Community Shed continue its work in supporting older people in the area and the wider community through its range of activities."
Saffron Walden Community Shed, located in the Old Granary at Home Farm, offers people who enjoy doing practical work a space to gather, make and mend things and do other shed-type projects together.
The shed movement originally started in Australia, and there are now more than 600 sheds all over the UK.
For more information go to https://www.swshed.org.uk/.
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