In Splott, a vibrant community activity takes place every Tuesday at goodShed, where residents gather to learn practical skills.
Crafters in Splott have been busy building Christmas decorations as part of a ‘Men’s Sheds’ project that has opened its doors to everyone.
Unlike most male-only organisations of this nature the Splott Community goodShed project throws open its doors to anyone in the community every Tuesday for people to learn woodwork and practical skills.
“We are trying to make a wooden Christmas tree for the upcoming fair this week,” said Richard Melhuish, 67, one of the founders, together with Martin Kilroy and David Pugh. “We’ve always been inclusive from day one. There’s a lot of Men’s Sheds that only allow men, but here, it doesn’t feel right to exclude anyone. We welcome everyone.”
Inspired by the Men’s Sheds Cymru last year—a movement that creates spaces for men to socialize, work on projects, and improve mental well-being—Richard, along with co-founders Martin and David, established goodShed to share skills and experiences with the broader Splott community. Based in Railway Gardens, an essential community space in Splott, goodShed has found a supportive home for its activities and events.
Beyond seasonal creations, goodShed regularly helps residents repair items. David Pugh, 62, one of the founders, is often found lending a hand with repairs. “Sometimes people bring things in to see if we can fix them, and right now I’m working on a stool that the resident wants to recover with her own fabric,” said David.
For newcomers like Joanna Barrett, 63, goodShed offers an opportunity to learn new skills while forming connections.
“I’ve only been here a couple of months. I got a message from the Splott community about all the activities happening here, so I thought I’d come to look around and meet people,” said Joanna. “I’m doing a lot of work in my house, like painting and decorating, so I hope to pick up some useful skills.”
GoodShed not only provides skill-building opportunities but also creates a supportive community where residents can share experiences.
Past events have included an open-air theater performance with Peculiar Productions, an amateur dramatic group. “We made a railroad tunnel with steam and smoke for a ghost story a few weeks ago. It was great fun. We had about 60 or 70 people here,” said Richard.
Next summer, the group plans to put on a children’s production of Alice in Wonderland, hoping to bring even more residents together.
In a neighborhood with limited public social spaces, goodShed has become a vital gathering point for locals. Through collaborative projects, practical learning, and a welcoming atmosphere, goodShed fosters a sense of connection and well-being, building not only skills but also a resilient and inclusive community in Splott.