A BARRHEAD photographer has set out to prove age is no barrier to having a good time.

Vicki Allison, 36, has been snapping comical photos of members of Barrhead Men’s Shed in a bid to highlight how the group is lifting older people out of battles with the likes of loneliness and depression.

The mum-of-one, who is in her final year of a photography degree at City of Glasgow College, will have her pictures exhibited at the college tomorrow and at the Truman Brewery, in London, next month.

Barrhead News:

Vicki said she was inspired to focus on older people as part of her degree course after discovering how talking about memories evoked a lot of emotion in her own grandmother.

She added: “My grandmother lives on her own and isn’t really part of any groups or anything. She always talks about memories and that seems to evoke a lot of emotion in her, so I really wanted to do something that would document older people.

“I discovered the Men’s Shed on Facebook and, when I went along, I was instantly welcomed. I started taking some images in the workshop but I thought it would be even better to try to take some funny images, so I started chatting to the members, trying to make them laugh.

“The aim is to show that they might be elderly but they are still full of fun.”

Barrhead Men’s Shed, which is run entirely by volunteers, is open to men and women over the age of 18 and is a place where people are free to meet and take part in creative work.

Barrhead News: Over the years, it has expanded its range of activities, encouraging retired and unemployed people to get out of the house and help build something for themselves or others.

Vicki, who is a freelance photographer, added: “The Men’s Shed has helped a lot of men who have suffered from depression and loneliness and I hope this project added something a little different to their day.

“I really enjoyed seeing how the project helped them.

“They are a great bunch of guys and I hope I have helped to promote what they do.”

To find out more about Barrhead Men’s Shed and how to get involved, call 0796 761 1742.