WAREHAM Men’s Shed has been given more time at its current base following outrage from residents.
Care Dorset, a company wholly owned by Dorset Council, told the group of men to leave their workshop in Sandford Lane last month “out of the blue”.
The 30 volunteers were left appalled by the shock eviction and Care Dorset admitted notice "should not have been given when it was".
But following the outrage from the group and Wareham’s residents, shed chairman Harold Forbes said his group has been promised it can stay at Purbeck Connect day centre “for the foreseeable future”.
Mr Forbes said: “We had a positive meeting and agreed to meet more regularly so a better understanding can be gained of Care Dorset’s requirements for their premises and clients.
“No timeframe has yet been defined for the ‘foreseeable future,’ meaning the Shed must keep one eye on finding a new base.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support from the community, which included many offers of alternative accommodation.
“Some have great potential but none currently offer the facilities which would enable us to move in immediately.
“Therefore we are now working through various options which offer the best path for our future.”
He added there has been “hundreds” of messages of support for the Men’s Shed on social media.
Read more: Beloved Wareham Men's Shed group evicted by council
Since its formation six years ago, Wareham Men’s Shed has completed voluntary work for schools, councils, churches and charities.
Examples include the restoration of the car-wrecked clay mining trolley at Wareham Roundabout for Wareham Town Council, a climbing wall for reception kids at Stoborough Primary School and a raft spider viewing platform for RSPB Arne.
It has also made countless smaller items such as hedgehog houses, bird boxes and planters for nature groups.
Last year they created a new tourist attraction for Purbeck by carving and painting a 14ft totem pole for the Blue Pool.
But to its members, it’s more than just a project: some of them would otherwise be lonely, others have disadvantages or are retired and the club gives them a chance to get together and make things for the benefit of Wareham.
A spokesman for Care Dorset previously apologised to the group, adding: “[We] want to assure all those involved with this project that we are committed to developing our services with local people and community groups."
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