Hartland Men’s Shed Secures New Long-Term Home at Hartland Village
Berkeley has helped secure a new long-term home for Hartland Men’s Shed at Hartland Village, supporting the continued growth of the community organisation and its role in bringing local people together through practical activities, friendship and social connection.
The move provides Hartland Men’s Shed with improved premises and greater stability as the organisation continues to expand its activities. The new accommodation has been secured through a five-year lease at a peppercorn rent, following ongoing support from Berkeley, the developer delivering Hartland Village.
Hartland Men’s Shed has played an increasingly important role within the local community, providing a welcoming environment where members can meet, work on practical projects, develop skills and build meaningful social connections.
Long-Term Support from Berkeley
Berkeley has worked with Hartland Men’s Shed since 2023, when the group first began using a training hub located next to the project office at Hartland Village.
Since the partnership began, Berkeley has supported the organisation as it established its initial facilities and developed a range of wider community initiatives. One of these initiatives was Hartland Retreat, the Men’s Shed’s dedicated garden space, which opened in 2025.
The garden has provided members with another opportunity to work together on practical projects while creating a space for relaxation and community engagement.
As Hartland Men’s Shed continued to grow, however, the original training hub became increasingly unsuitable. The building’s condition and limited capacity made it difficult for the organisation to accommodate its expanding membership and activities.
Recognising the need for a more suitable long-term facility, Berkeley worked closely with Hartland Men’s Shed to identify an alternative location within the development.
New Premises Provide Greater Capacity
The partnership resulted in the group moving into an unused project office at Hartland Village in May 2026. The new premises offer significantly improved accommodation and provide the organisation with additional space to develop its activities.
The facility also includes a dedicated garden area, while members continue to have access to the existing Hartland Retreat garden space.
Since moving into the new premises, members have transformed the building into a welcoming and practical Men’s Shed. The space provides opportunities for members to meet, make and learn in a friendly and inclusive environment.
The improved facilities are expected to support the organisation’s continued growth while giving members a more comfortable and practical setting in which to pursue projects and community activities.
Building a Stronger Community
Hartland Village is being developed by Berkeley on a former disused brownfield site. Once completed, the development will create a new community of approximately 1,500 homes, alongside a village centre and primary school.
The support provided to Hartland Men’s Shed forms part of Berkeley’s wider approach to creating places where residents and local organisations can connect, contribute and develop a strong sense of community.
Community facilities and initiatives can play an important role in helping new and established communities develop social networks. Organisations such as Men’s Sheds can provide accessible spaces where people can meet regularly, share knowledge and participate in activities together.
For Hartland Men’s Shed, the new premises provide more than simply a larger workshop. The facility has become a community hub where members can work collaboratively, exchange skills and take part in projects that can benefit the wider area.
The Role of Men’s Sheds
Men’s Sheds are community spaces inspired by the traditional garden shed but designed to provide larger, purpose-built environments for practical and social activities.
Members can use tools, machinery and other facilities to work on individual projects or collaborate on community initiatives. Activities can take a wide variety of forms, with members able to participate according to their own interests, skills and availability.
Importantly, Men’s Sheds are designed to be informal and inclusive environments. Members can work at their own pace without the pressure of deadlines or expectations, while enjoying the social benefits of being part of a community.
At Hartland Village, the organisation has developed into a space where people of different backgrounds can meet, learn from one another and contribute their time and skills.
Berkeley Welcomes the Partnership
Paul Vallone, Divisional Chairman at Berkeley, said that community plays an important role in the company’s approach to development.
He described Hartland Men’s Shed as a strong example of how local spaces can bring people together and said Berkeley was proud to have supported the group since 2023.
Vallone also highlighted the importance of helping the organisation secure a new home that provides the space and stability required for its next stage of development.
The five-year lease at a peppercorn rent provides Hartland Men’s Shed with greater certainty while allowing the organisation to focus its resources on its members, projects and community activities.
A Growing Community Hub
Kevin Holmes, Trustee and Chairman of Hartland Men’s Shed, said the support provided by Berkeley had enabled the organisation to develop beyond being simply a workshop.
He described the Men’s Shed as a genuine community hub where people of different ages and backgrounds can support one another and contribute their time and skills.
According to Holmes, the benefits of the organisation extend beyond its immediate membership, with projects and activities increasingly having an impact across the wider community.
The new premises are therefore expected to play an important role in the organisation’s future. With improved accommodation, access to garden facilities and a secure five-year lease, Hartland Men’s Shed has a stronger foundation from which to expand its activities.
As Hartland Village continues to develop, the partnership demonstrates how community-focused initiatives can complement new housing developments and help create places where people can establish connections, share skills and contribute to the wider community.
Source Link:https://www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/
