Charity and CSR

Wendover Shed  (Deputy Chair of Trustees)

Paul is a Trustee for Wendover Shed, part of the nationwide Men in Sheds Association, of which there are more than 1000.

Wendover Shed was established as a community workspace in Wendover.  Practically-minded people are able to meet, work on joint projects (or their own), and share ideas and experience. There is access to tools, electricity and, almost as important, a kettle!

For a long time research has shown the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on a person’s health and wellbeing.  Recently it is better understood that loneliness and isolation can be as hazardous to our health as obesity and excessive smoking.  Surveys from mental health charities are finding that millions of people report feeling lonely on a daily basis.

The Wendover Shed established itself along the lines of the UK Men’s Shed Association.  It is about meeting like-minded people and having someone to share your worries with.  It is about having fun, sharing skills and knowledge with like-minded people and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.  As a by-product of all of that, sheds like ours reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow people to deal with mental health challenges more easily and remain independent, they rebuild communities and in many cases, they save lives.

Find out more about Wendover Shed: https://www.wendovershed.org.uk/

Dog Aid (Chair of Trustees)

Dog Aid enables disabled people to train life changing assistance dogs. Dog A.I.D. changes lives by enabling physically disabled people across the UK to train their own pets to become qualified assistance dogs, supported by volunteer trainers. These dogs increase independence by helping with practical tasks, building confidence, reducing isolation and the need for care.

Find out more about Dog Aid: https://dogaid.org.uk

The Gorilla Organisation (Sponsor)

For more than two decades, The Gorilla Organisation has worked to save gorillas from extinction. Their projects have carried on through civil war, famine and natural disasters. The Gorilla Organization was founded in the early 1990s to support the anti-poaching patrols created by the pioneering primatologist Dr. Dian Fossey. Their fundraising and administration headquarters are in London supporting field work in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. As well as supporting ranger patrols, their projects include organic farming, tree planting and gorilla-friendly beekeeping.  Their projects continue to go from strength to strength and have transformed the lives of thousands of people, most of them living in some of Africa’s poorest communities. Their projects have also helped safeguard Africa’s critically-endangered gorillas, though their work is by no means done.

Find out more about Gorilla Aid: https://gorillas.org