Members of the Barrhead Men’s Shed have been learning new skills that might just help to save lives.

The shed, based in Robertson Street, provides a space for retired men and women to meet, socialise and share skills.

Dozens of ‘shedders’ regularly meet up to tackle the likes of woodwork and painting.

However, their latest initiative has seen them focus on a First Aid course – just weeks after one member took unwell.

In a bid to make sure the group knows what to do should such a situation arise in future, they have been taking part in a Heartstart course, which includes learning CPR techniques.

?Committee member Robert Humphrey, who is among the shedders who signed up for the course, said: “?Recently, one of our members become unwell while at the shed and the rest of us decided we should know what to do in that situation.

“After what happened, we felt it was important for as many members as possible to go through the course, learn basic First Aid and get their certificate.”

The course has been conducted by East Renfrewshire community worker Jim Burns, assisted by his trustee mannequin Annie.

Mr Humphrey said that, as a result, the shed will now be a safer place for older people to attend.

He added: “We believe older people deserve to be happy, healthy and connected to their community, with interesting things to do – things they have chosen to do and things which reflect the skills and interests they have.

“I feel so much better having been involved in the shed. It’s given me a sense of purpose I thought I’d lost when I retired.”

The shed is open to men and women who live in East Renfrewshire, with meetings taking place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10am until 1pm.

Mr Humphrey said: “The shed is a facility, rather than a service, which means that we can provide the tools and space for working on projects, and we hope that shedders will always be willing to share their skills and ideas.”

For more information, visit the website at https://barrheadmensshed.weebly.com.