A BROMSGROVE home-care business has pledged its support for a scheme that helps tackle loneliness and isolation.

Care Force, based on the High Street, is sponsoring the Bromsgrove Men in Sheds ‘Shed Share’ scheme for the next twelve months, which is run by Age UK.

The scheme aims to helps older people dealing with loneliness and isolation, providing a place where they can share their skills through DIY projects and make new friends.

The money raised by sponsorship contributes to the rent and running costs of the Shed, which totals almost £10,000 a year.

Over £2,400 has been raised through sponsorship this year, but the group want to match the 2018 figure of £3,100.

Originating in Australia, Men in Sheds came to the UK in 2008.

The Bromsgrove group was started in 2016 by Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest and currently has 27 regularly attending members.

They meet Monday to Thursday between 10am and 2pm at their base on the Metal & Ores Industrial Estate.

As well as developing their own DIY projects, the 'Shedders' are involved in a variety of community initiatives.

Most recently they supported the Bromsgrove Lions with the restoration of the benches at the Memorial Garden at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital.

John Hollingworth from Care Force said: “As a provider of care for older people we fully understand the negative impact of loneliness and social isolation. We are proud to be supporting such an amazing community group which provides a social setting for people from a wide variety of backgrounds. The Bromsgrove 'Shedders' are a great bunch of people.”