We have a new home

and Looe Shedders

Needs Your Help!

Looe Shedders urgently need a new home and we now have a wonderful opportunity to make that happen. The Chemin Neuf Community at Sclerder Abbey have generously offered us land on which we can build a purpose-built, environmentally friendly workshop that will serve our community. Our vision is to create a sustainable, welcoming space equipped with: Heat pumps to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. Superb insulation to conserve energy and minimise noise. Solar panels to reduce our carbon footprint and running costs. We are now launching our fundraising campaign to raise £100,000 and are asking for your help to bring this vital community project to life.

Why Looe Needs the

Shedders

Loneliness and social isolation are real and growing issues in our community. Many older people, particularly those who have lost their partners, retired or lost the sense of purpose their jobs once gave them, find themselves struggling to connect and contribute. At the same time, younger people in Looe face limited opportunities for work and skills development. Looe Shedders provides a unique and practical solution. A friendly, creative environment where people of all ages can make, mend, learn and belong. We can provide a bridge between generations with a place where people can come together to make, mend, and learn. Where members can share skills, form friendships, and work side by side on hands-on projects that directly benefit local schools, community groups, and our public spaces. Our shed is more than a workshop. It’s a supportive environment where experience is valued, new skills are developed, and everyone can enjoy the satisfaction of creating something meaningful

What We’ve Already

Achieved

Even without a permanent base, Looe Shedders have already delivered an impressive range of community projects, including: The Looe Repair Café. Fixing household items free of charge to help residents save money and reduce waste. Building playground equipment such as a bus, a tractor and a Wendy House for local primary schools, using mostly recycled materials. Supporting Looe’s Haven Youth Club by networking donated computers and completing final fittings. Working with Looe Town Council to maintain community spaces. Helping to maintain St. Martin’s Community Hall. Working with Looe Community Academy pupils to create carnival masks and build bird boxes as part of our Young Shedders initiative. Partnering with the Kernow Health Mental Wellbeing Project to build a shed and raised gardens for their allotment site. See www.looeshedders.co.uk/communityprojects1. html for more projects. These achievements demonstrate what we’re capable of, but they also highlight our ongoing challenges. We currently have the use of a large garage at the Barbican, which has been invaluable in allowing us to continue supporting older people, young people, and local improvement projects. However, this arrangement is only temporary and will end next April. Without a permanent workshop, we will be forced to return to working in the St. Martin’s Hall car park, where bad weather and limited facilities make it difficult to complete our projects efficiently and expand our reach.

Our Vision for the Future

With a fully equipped, permanent shed, Looe Shedders will be able to: Expand opening hours and welcome more members. Develop our “Young Shedders” programme to teach practical skills to local young people and bridge generations. Take on larger, more ambitious community projects for schools, councils, and local groups. Reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing across all ages through shared purpose and teamwork. Ultimately, the essence of Looe Shedders lies in its members, people with skills, creativity and compassion, all eager to contribute. What they need now is a home that reflects that spirit of sustainability, inclusivity, and built to serve the community for years to come.

How You Can Help

Your support can help us build this new home and strengthen the heart of our community.Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to our £100,000 target. Together, we can ensure that Looe Shedders continues to build, connect, and care. For older people, young people, and for the future of Looe.

Our proposal is as follows.

Proposal for a Joint

Venture Between

Looe Shedders CIO

and the Chemin Neuf

Community

19 June 2025 Dear Chemin Neuf Community, Looe Shedders CIO is seeking an agreement in principle to enter a joint venture with the Chemin Neuf Community at Sclerder Abbey. Our shared vision is to enrich the local community through stewardship, sustainability, and practical skills development.

Proposed Development Site

We propose the redevelopment of the area at the bottom of the lane adjacent to the Abbey, currently occupied by a large metal/asbestos shed and a semi-circular asbestos-clad shelter. Subject to a mutually agreeable lease, Looe Shedders will undertake the removal of these structures and construct a new, purpose-built workshop. We would also explore refurbishing the adjacent left-hand storage shed, not pictured, to enhance its storage potential for both Looe Shedders and the Chemin Neuf Community.

Joint Use & Community Benefit

Looe Shedders would not require full-time or exclu-

sive access to the workshop, leaving a significant pro-

portion of its availability open for use by the Chemin

Neuf Community.

Specific timings and arrangements to be agreed

jointly.

So, in return for a peppercorn rent, the workshop

would be configured for flexible shared use to sup-

port the day-to-day needs of both the Chemin Neuf

Community and Looe Shedders.

Environmentally Conscious

Construction

The proposed single-storey workshop (approx. 17m x 7m) would be designed with sustainability at its core, using: Sustainable materials. Solar panels for renewable electricity. Rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing. A ground or air-source heat pump for heating. Connection to electricity, water, and sewage services would also be required. Terms to be discussed.

Look and feel

The original architects outline drawings are no longer relevant, so I have attached basic concept design of the interior, plus a photograph of the potential cladding for the building to show how it all might work and fit in with the surrounding area.

Key Considerations

Noise: The building would be heavily sound insulated to minimise any disturbance and also to maximise energy efficiency. Parking: We understand the Chemin Neuf Community has plans to expand existing parking, which would readily accommodate Looe Shedders members. Scheduling: An online calendar could coordinate usage between parties. Storage: Lockable storage would ensure tools and materials are secure, and shared spaces remain tidy. Housekeeping: After each session, all surfaces to be brushed off and floors swept. Security: This would be provided by our internet linked CCTV system covering both the inside and the external faces of the building. It can be set to ignore specific times of the day and week. Young Shedders Initiative Looe Shedders intends to establish a Young Shedders programme to teach essential practical skills to local youth. This will: Equip young people with life skills for independent living Reveal untapped potential in vocational trades, possibly leading to apprenticeships Encourage youth-led enterprise that could serve the local community and retain young talent in Looe We aim to collaborate with parents, local schools, and Boundless Trust’s Haven Youth Club to deliver this transformative initiative.

Creative Opportunities

Looe Shedders works with a network of skilled local craftspeople. There is potential for occasional craft workshops to be offered in the new space for Chemin Neuf Community visitors, enhancing community engagement and creative outreach.

Finances

Looe Shedders would seek funding through grants and public donations to cover: Legal fees for the lease Planning permissions Architects’ fees, if applicable Safe demolition of the current buildings Construction of the new workshop We would, of course, welcome any financial support that the Chemin Neuf Community would be willing to contribute.

Lease Terms

To ensure mutual benefit and safeguard the long-term sustainability of the project, Looe Shedders would require a minimum lease term of 25 years, encompassing the elements outlined in this proposal. Mutual Benefits Benefits for the Chemin Neuf Community: Stronger ties with the wider local community Positive public relations via the visibility of Looe Shedder’s community initiatives Access to a valuable shared asset at minimal cost Contribution to local mental health and wellbeing Support for youth skills development and local empowerment Benefits for Looe Shedders: A purpose-built, permanent new home for our projects Continued delivery of impactful programmes that serve the community A base for future expansion of our volunteer-driven initiatives We believe this partnership would be a meaningful step forward for both our communities and a lasting investment in shared purpose. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal further. Warm regards Chris Roy Chairman – Looe Shedders CIO Tel: 07840 777 293 Email: chair@looeshedders.co.uk Web: www.looeshedders.co.uk