A new facility which creates a safe, non-judgmental space where men can talk and support each other has opened in Longridge.

The Longridge Men’s Shed was officially launched on Tuesday, September 17 in Warwick Street and will now be open every Tuesday from 5pm until 9pm.

It offers men the chance to work with wood or metal but also helps the community, with plans to set up a fixing café in the future where people can bring items in to be mended.

Started by Cllr Kieran Spencer, it has been a year in the planning along with his friend Robert Walker who donated the space for the shed to happen.

Kieran said: “It has been a real community-led initiative as us men are awful, and we are taking the mick out of each other, but it is really important that there is a space where men can come and support each other.”

Robert also donated the space for the Men’s Shed in his work unit and organised the opening night.

Kieran added: “One of the hardest things was finding a space, it was amazing. I felt like Charlie walking into a chocolate factory, but it was just a workshop, it was people sat there talking, and sharing ideas.

“When Robert came forward and said we can use his space it was amazing.”

Having both worked on the Longridge town council they found there was a big demand for a Men’s Shed in the town and received thousands of likes when they proposed it.

Robert spoke openly about his struggles with mental health and especially anxiety but felt that working side by side with other men was a huge benefit in being able to open up.

He said: “As men we are idiots, and we don’t talk to each other, and we definitely don’t talk to our partners, and this is something that helped me.

“Just being in a room with someone who is struggling with you, the more people get the more they start talking to each other and it is hopefully a shared goal, and it is going to break the wall of ignorance that we have as men.”

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the LCA, Longridge Town Council and the UK Men’s Sheds Association, the group hopes to expand to more nights a week and on weekends.