Men’s Shed Lead
Could You Help Restart Hardie Park Men’s Shed? 🛠️
We’re looking for the right person to help bring the Hardie Park Men’s Shed back to life.
A few years ago, we established a Men’s Shed project at Hardie Park with dedicated space, tools, timber and plenty of potential. While the original project sadly lost momentum, we believe there is still a real opportunity to create something special for the local community — and we’re now looking for someone passionate to help lead that next chapter.
This is more than just woodworking.
Men’s Sheds are about friendship, reducing loneliness and isolation, sharing skills, supporting wellbeing, and creating a welcoming space where people can spend time together, learn new things and feel part of a community.
We are looking for someone who:
🔹 Has practical woodworking/carpentry or DIY experience
🔹 Is confident around tools and workshop safety
🔹 Has patience and enjoys helping others learn
🔹 Is friendly, community-minded and inclusive
🔹 Can organise and help shape the day-to-day running of the Shed
🔹 Shares Hardie Park’s community values and positive ethos
The role would involve helping organise sessions, overseeing the space, supporting members, and helping establish simple rules, processes and potentially membership arrangements - with the support and backing of Hardie Park’s experienced group of Trustees.
Importantly, we want the person leading the project to have genuine ownership and autonomy to help shape it into something successful and sustainable.
The foundations are already there:
✔ Dedicated shed/workshop space
✔ Existing tools and materials
✔ Support from Hardie Park Trustees
✔ A well-used and well-loved community site
✔ Huge potential to make a difference locally
This could suit:
🔹 A retired tradesperson
🔹 Someone involved in Men’s Sheds previously
🔹 A hobbyist woodworker looking to give something back
🔹 Someone passionate about community wellbeing and bringing people together
If you are interested, please email info@friendsofhardiepark.co.uk and we would be very happy to arrange an informal chat at the park, to show you the facility and talk through the project in more detail.
Become a Trustee at Hardie Park
Hardie Park is a much-loved community hub at the heart of Stanford-le-Hope - providing a safe green space for recreation, a welcoming café, community activities, food support initiatives and opportunities for people of all ages to connect.
Driven by volunteers, supported by a small staff team and guided by our Board of Trustees, the charity has grown enormously over the years and continues to evolve in response to the needs of the local community.
We are always keen to hear from people who may be interested in joining our Board of Trustees.
About the role
As a Trustee, you would help support the long-term direction, sustainability and governance of Friends of Hardie Park, while helping ensure the charity continues to make a positive difference locally.
Our Trustees work closely with staff and volunteers to support the ongoing development of the park and café, oversee the charity responsibly and help shape future projects and opportunities.
We meet monthly, usually on the first Tuesday evening of each month. Meetings are typically held at Hardie Park in Stanford-le-Hope, although virtual attendance can also be accommodated where needed.
Outside of meetings, there may occasionally be opportunities to support with specific projects, discussions or community initiatives. Trustees are also encouraged - although not expected - to spend time at the park to better understand the organisation, meet volunteers and park users, and see the impact of the charity first-hand.
About you
There is no set background, qualification or professional experience required to become a Trustee at Hardie Park.
What matters most to us is finding people who:
• Care about community and the role organisations like Hardie Park can play
• Share our values of hospitality, adaptability, respect, dedication, inclusivity and enjoyment
• Are willing to give their time and contribute positively as part of a team
• Want to help support and strengthen the charity for the future
• Bring enthusiasm, ideas and a collaborative approach
We warmly welcome interest from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
This is a voluntary role, although all reasonable expenses properly incurred will be reimbursed.
Interested?
If you would like an informal conversation about becoming a Trustee, we would be very happy to arrange a chat and show you around the park and community facilities.
To express an interest, please contact Matt, our Chair, via:
📧 trustees@friendsofhardiepark.co.uk
Applications and conversations will be considered on a rolling basis.