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Ripon group tackling isolation wins national award

Emily Johnson & Joanita MusisiYorkshire
Ripon Men's Shed A group of older men gathered outside a brick building with arched windows, possibly a church or community centre. They wear matching navy blue shirts with a logo and pose cheerfully, some raising their fists in celebration. One man at the front holds a sign reading “Ripon Men’s Shed” with a red logo.Ripon Men's Shed
The group in Ripon is made up of about 40 mostly retired men

A North Yorkshire community group aimed at bringing men together and combatting isolation has won a national award.

Ripon Men's Shed has about 40 members and meets up several times a week to share woodworking and repair skills.

One of its biggest projects was constructing the timber framework for a life-sized knitted tank to commemorate 80 years since D-Day.

The group was recognised for its work with the armed forces community at the UK Men's Sheds Awards, which took place at the House of Commons' Terrace Pavilion on Thursday.

According to the UK Men's Sheds Association, the Ripon group won the Armed Forces Communities Award for weaving "service, remembrance and community spirit into every aspect of its work".

A spokesperson said their work last year to help create the tank had been a "powerful tribute" that attracted national attention and raised funds for Help for Heroes.

Ripon Men's Shed A woodworking workshop with five people actively engaged in various tasks. The space has large windows and overhead fluorescent lights. Tools like saws, clamps, and measuring instruments are neatly arranged on wall racks.Ripon Men's Shed
Ripon Men's Shed meets up several times a week to share woodworking and repair skills

Richard Thomson, from Ripon Men's Shed, said: "The whole organisation is about making social connections and building friendships, sharing skills and knowledge, drinking tea and sorting out the world's problems.

"But essentially we're here to look after each other and give somebody a purpose."

Discussing the tank, Mr Thomson said: "The framework took us about three months to build, the ladies did the knitting for it and we then assembled it.

"We were very lucky that a local engineer regiment allowed us to work in a hangar, otherwise we could never have done it in the space that we had at the shed."

Richard Thomson Two men stand outside the House of Commons in London, holding a wooden plaque that reads “Men’s Sheds Armed Forces Communities Award 2025”. One wears military medals, both have visitor badges.Richard Thomson
Tony Johnson (left) and Richard Thomson (right) collected the award at the House of Commons

Mr Thomson said it had been the first year this particular award had been given out.

"We're very lucky here in Ripon to have a huge armed forces community, both serving and veteran," he added.

"It just gives a great sense of pride and recognition for all the hard work that our members have put in over the last couple of years."

Next year, the group hopes to open an arts and crafts room and make use of their large community space.

"It's just great - it's something to focus on and for a lot of people it's perhaps the only people they see outside of their own house," Mr Thomson concluded.

Ripon Men’s Shed wins big with their knitted tank

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