MEN in Lydbrook are turning locally sourced Forest timber into something simple but powerful. They are building benches designed to bring people together and spark conversation at the heart of the community.

Members of Forest Community Shed are taking part in Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder, a nationwide initiative that encourages connection and wellbeing through shared spaces.

The project challenges Men’s Sheds across the UK to build buddy benches that create opportunities for informal conversation and help reduce loneliness.

The Shed operates in partnership with The Orchard Trust. As part of a new barn development on the trust’s site, Shed members are planning to build a series of fitted wooden benches that will be used by both Shed members and Orchard Trust clients.

The benches will provide places where people can sit, watch, learn and talk while traditional craft skills are practised and shared.

Members say the aim is to create a relaxed and welcoming environment where conversation happens naturally, without pressure or expectation. By working side by side, people are able to connect through activity as well as talk.

All materials for the benches will come from a Lydbrook woodmill, using timber grown in the Forest of Dean, alongside fixings already held by the Shed.

Organisers say this keeps the project rooted firmly in place, using local wood and local skills to deliver a lasting benefit for the community.

The Lydbrook project forms part of a wider national campaign supported by DRINKiQ and the UK Men's Sheds Association. TV presenter Timmy Mallett has helped to launch the initiative by building the first buddy bench at his local Shed, helping to raise awareness of the campaign and the wider Men’s Sheds movement.

Mission: Shoulder to Shoulder takes its name from the way Men’s Sheds bring people together through shared activity rather than formal conversation.

Research commissioned as part of the campaign found that a single public bench can facilitate more than 2,000 conversations a year. With 100 benches planned across the UK, organisers estimate the project could help spark more than 200,000 new conversations annually.

For Lydbrook, that national ambition translates into something tangible. The new barn will be a space filled with shared work, new fitted benches and opportunities for people to spend time together.

Members say the project strengthens creativity, companionship and a sense of purpose, while widening access to inclusive community spaces.

Shed members also hope the benches will encourage people to linger, whether they are taking a break from woodworking, watching a demonstration or simply enjoying the surroundings.

Over time, they believe these shared spaces will help build confidence, friendships and routine for those who attend regularly, reinforcing the Shed’s role as a supportive and welcoming hub.

Forest Community Shed is one of many Sheds taking part nationwide, but members say the focus remains local. By combining practical skills, shared activity and spaces designed for connection, the Shed continues to play a vital role in supporting wellbeing and bringing people together in the Forest of Dean.