NAIL by nail and screw by screw, the Barrhead Men’s Shed is changing lives for the better.

Established in 2014, the group recently marked its fifth birthday.

It has gone from strength to strength over the years and now has more than 50 members, including a number of women.

As well as offering retired – and often lonely – people a place where they can mix with others, the Men’s Shed supports a number of worthy causes in the community.

One member, Scott Ballantyne, uses his woodwork skills to transform old branches into special ‘arthritis pens.’

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These are carefully carved so that those with the condition find them easier to hold.

Other projects tackled by the ‘Shedders’ have included making flower boxes for pupils at Isobel Mair School, in Newton Mearns, and creating model steam engines for youngsters at the Railway Cottage Nursery, in Barrhead, to play on.

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“We’ve got a great thing going here for elderly and isolated people in the area,” said Alex Storrie, co-founder of the Barrhead Men’s Shed.

“There is also still room to swell our membership and that’s what we’re hoping to do.

“We’re really active in the community. At the moment, we’re making seven planters for Neilston train station.”

Hundreds of children from local schools have visited the Barrhead Men’s Shed to get their first taste of DIY, with another 50 youngsters from Cross Arthurlie Primary due to pop in next week.

Alex said: “In the past, we’ve had kits made up for the children to pull apart and hammer in the nails.

“They loved it and what we often find is that the girls are better than the boys.”

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The Shedders were handed a welcome boost recently when their group was awarded a grant of almost £50,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

This will be used to help meet the costs of rent and utilities, meaning the group can continue to grow.

Alex said: “We were very lucky to get this money and we can spread that over three years to pay our rent.

“It has given us three years where we don’t have to worry about paying the rent, which is £10,000 a year, and meeting the cost of utilities, like electricity.”

Anyone is welcome to join the Barrhead Men’s Shed, as long as they are aged 18 or over.

The group is based in units 1-4 at the Robertson Street industrial estate, with the doors open from 10am until 1pm throughout the week.

Anyone who would like more information should visit the website at www.barrheadmensshed.weebly.com.