OLDER men in Bexley are being encouraged to leave the bottom of the garden and be more sociable.

Age UK’s Men in Sheds project aims to tackle the social exclusion of men aged 55 and over by building their confidence through social interaction and learning new skills.

An allotment at Love Lane, Bexley opened on Monday (February 11) and a workshop at Inspire Community Trust in Erith is planned to start at the end of the month.

Participants will take decisions about what is grown and how the shed is built while ideas for the workshop include making bird boxes, tables and dolls' houses.

Project coordinator Sylvia Sime said: "Many men find themselves isolated at this time of their lives, especially if they are no longer working.

"Men in Sheds can get them out and about again."

Men in Sheds will run Wednesday to Friday at Inspire Community Trust in Whitehall Lane from 10am-4pm, and the Love Lane allotment Monday to Friday from 9.30am-5pm.

Contact Sylvia on 020 8300 0883, 07973 884227 or email sylvia.sime@ageukbexley.org.uk