A COMMUNITY group in York has been awarded funding for their community shed space.

York Men's Shed is an organisation which helps people come together to take part in practical skills and activities, and has been awarded £920 by the Asda Foundation.

The group - which is inspired by an Australian project and is one of 300 projects around the UK - is run by its members and provides opportunities for people to share tools, resources and skills in order to create, learn and develop social networks.

Mark Guilford, chairman of the York Men’s Shed said: "The grant will enable us to obtain first aid supplies, training and insurance for our shed.

"It has been a long journey, but support from organisations such as Royal Voluntary Service and the Asda Foundation have helped us bring the Men's Shed program to our city."

Jo Phillips, Sheds Project manager at Royal Voluntary Service, said: "Most sheds are started by local groups coming together due to a shared interest in traditional crafts such as joinery, furniture renovation, metal work and mechanics.

"We are delighted to be able to administer the Grant Funds so that these skills can flourish in a friendly and sociable environment, and that more local community based Sheds can get up and running."

Julie Ward, senior manager of the Asda Foundation, said: "The Asda Foundation is one of the many ways we can give something back to our local communities.

"That’s why we lend a hand to a wide range of good causes with which our colleagues are involved with, sharing their passion and helping to make a difference through a variety of projects across the UK. We see the Sheds programme as making a real difference at a grassroots level and are proud to support this initiative."