Hartland Men’s Shed has relocated into improved premises at Hartland Village, following ongoing support from Berkeley and the completion of a new five-year lease at peppercorn rent.
Berkeley has been working with Hartland Men’s Shed since 2023, when the group first occupied a training hub adjacent to the project office at Hartland Village. Since then, Berkeley has supported the group in establishing its original hub and developing wider initiatives, including Hartland Retreat, the Shed’s garden space, which opened in 2025.
As the group continued to grow, the original training hub became increasingly unsuitable due to its condition and limited capacity. Berkeley worked closely with Hartland Men’s Shed to identify an alternative home on the development, enabling the charity to move into an unused project office on site in May 2026.
The new premises provide significantly improved accommodation, along with a dedicated garden area and continued access to the group’s existing garden space. Members have since transformed the building into a welcoming and practical Men’s Shed, with space to meet, make and learn in a friendly and inclusive environment.
Hartland Village is being delivered by Berkeley on a former disused brownfield site and will create a new community of 1,500 homes, complete with its own village centre and primary school. The support for Hartland Men’s Shed reflects Berkeley’s commitment to creating places and communities where people can connect, contribute and feel part of something, as set out in Our Vision.
Men’s Sheds are larger versions of the traditional garden shed, offering purpose-built spaces where people can feel at home while enjoying practical, hands-on activities. With access to tools, machinery and excellent facilities, members can work on their own projects or get involved in community initiatives, with no pressure and no deadlines.
Paul Vallone, Divisional Chairman, Berkeley: “We really believe that community is important, and Hartland Men’s Shed is a brilliant example of how local spaces can bring people together. We are proud to have supported the group since 2023 and delighted to help secure a new home that gives them the space and stability to continue growing.”
Kevin Holmes, Trustee and Chairman of Hartland Men's Shed: “What you have provided has allowed Hartland Men's Shed to grow beyond simply being a workshop. It is a genuine community hub, a place where people of different ages and backgrounds help one another and contribute their time and skills. The benefits of your generosity reach well beyond the immediate members of the shed, and the work and activities that are begun here are increasingly having an impact in the wider community.”