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Everyone Needs A Shed

Durlston shed is welcoming and friendlyOpening times

  • Mondays 2pm-4pm - for Cuppa & Chat - enjoy a cuppa and make some new friends in the lovely woodland surroundings. Just drop in and say hello! A great starting point for volunteering at the Shed.
  • Tuesday 10am-1pm - for 'Out of The Blue' a group aimed at bringing people together though arts, knitting, and stone carving.
  • Tuesday 2pm-4pm - join a ranger to help our with practical tasks to support the park - you could be painting, fixing signs, creating crafts or taking part in other DIY projects. Also attended by All Sort'd who provide bespoke learning support for people with learning disabilities. 
  • Wednesdays 2pm-4pm - join our team of Lead Sheddies to take part in various activities including arts, woodwork, gardening, and more. 
  • Fridays 1pm-3pm - our gardening group meet to look after our vegetables, plants, and flowers, which we sell for donations on the plant stall as fundraising for the park. 

Christmas 2024 changes

  • Monday 23rd  2pm-4pm – (Cuppa & Chat) – going ahead
  • Tuesday 24th  10am-1pm (Out of the Blue) – no session, resuming 7th January
  • Tuesday 24th 2pm-4pm (Ranger Session) - going ahead
  • Wednesday 25th 2pm-4pm – (Sheddie Session) – no session, resuming 1st January
  • Friday 27th 1pm-3pm – (Gardening Group) – going ahead

 

  • Monday 30th  2pm-4pm – (Cuppa & Chat) – going ahead
  • Tuesday 31st  10am-1pm (Out of the Blue) – no session, resuming 7th January
  • Tuesday 31st  2pm-4pm (Ranger Session) - going ahead
  • Wednesday 1st 2pm-4pm – (Sheddie Session) – going ahead
  • Friday 3rd 1pm-3pm – (Gardening Group) – no session, resuming 10th January

There’s no need to book, just come along on any of the days/times shown and stay as long as you want. All of our sessions are free, but mostly run by volunteers - so please be understanding that we are sometimes quite busy managing lots of people at the same time.

Everyone Needs a Shed!

'Everybody Needs a Shed' was launched as part of the lottery-funded 'Durlston Pleasure Grounds' project.  It is an accessible community work base which enables people of all ages and abilities to socialise, learn new skills, and volunteer in support of Durlston Country Park.

We welcome people with disabilities, dementia, and other long-term health problems to try a variety of wood-working, gardening, crafts, and DIY projects. No commitment or experience needed - you can even just pop in for a chat.

What can I do there?

Learn new skills and heritage crafts

We host a variety of different activities which changes week to week; from growing plants, to traditional rural crafts, making bird boxes, painting, restoring signs and much more. There is always something to do, and your help will be much appreciated - even if that is just making the teas and coffees - so please come along to one of our sessions and get involved.

We are also always looking for volunteers to take part as a Lead Sheddie - a role which involves helping to run sessions, leading activities, and assisting our volunteers. Please contact us if you would like to find out more. 

Who can come?

Tasks for all ages and abilities

Everyone is welcome at the Shed, whether you want to teach, learn, or even just pop in for a friendly chat.

We have tasks to suit people of all ages and abilities and you do not need any previous experience to help out. The Shed welcomes those with disabilities, dementia or long-term health problems to join in and enjoy the park. Our 'Visual Story' provides for a guide to visiting the Shed for people with autism. 

If you have a group of people who would like to come along and use the shed, please contact us.

Where is the Shed?

Tasks for all ages and abilities

The Shed is located in the woodland, at the northern end of Lighthouse Road at Sunnydale.

Walk through the two large wooden pillars on the approach to the Country Park and you will see The Shed on your right. Please follow the Woodland Trail to walk here from the car park or the castle.

  • You can find it on Google Maps by searching for 'The Shed at Durlston Country Park'.
  • Walking from Swanage town centre takes around 30 minutes, but does include steep hills.
  • Taxis are available from Swanage Bus Station.
  • Mini-bus transport may be available for larger groups. Please contact the ranger team to discuss.

Mailing List

Stay in the loop with upcoming sessions by joining our Shed mailing list (just email us at durlston@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk). You will be sent regular updates about the Shed, including planned tasks for the regular weekly drop-in sessions (such as gardening, bird box making, painting), and also dates for more occasional groups (such as local clubs, schools and care groups) 

Donate

Dementia and disability friendly

We welcome donations to support the future of this project. You can make a card or paypal donation online. You can also donate with cash or card at the Castle, or send a cheque payable to Durlston Country Park to:

Donations,
Durlston Country Park,
Lighthouse Road,
Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL.