14th May 2026
With the walls covered in vibrant posters and stylish photographs, and sculptures balanced on windowsills and filing cabinets, the room closely resembles a school art room. A small group of willing students concentrate on sculpting blocks of clay, listening intently to the advice of their teacher.
But this is not a school. This is the workshop at Artworks Art4All, a Barrow social enterprise on a mission to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in Furness.
Today’s session is Men’s Make and Mend, a group set up in late 2024 at the request of local men dealing with anxiety, loneliness and other mental health issues.
Sixty-year-old Karl has struggled with loneliness since moving to Barrow. “I’ve been here three years and the only people I know are family. It’s really hard to make friends.
“I’m a carer for my aunty so I don’t get chance to chat with blokes and take the mick. You see women’s groups everywhere but if you don’t drink or go to the football, there’s nowhere to go.”
Sharon Tait, the volunteer director of Artworks Art4All, explained the need for the group.
“These are men who feel more comfortable being around other men. It needs to be a small group. If it was too big, some wouldn’t want to come.
Confidence
“Their ideas are different to what you might find in a mixed or women’s group. We give them suggestions, but they also bring a lot of their own ideas, such as one of them suggested working with copper, as they’d done that before as a welder.
“Everyone brings their own skills, which they share with the group. It’s given them so much more confidence.
“One man has dementia. His wife also benefits as it gives her two hours to herself when she can get things done.”
Some weeks the group learns a new art form or technique, such as sculpture or painting; other weeks they tackle more practical projects, such as creating a stand for drying outdoor swimming gloves from old copper piping.
Cumbria Community Foundation awarded the group a grant from the Barrow Community Trust and Barrow Grassroots Funds towards the cost of equipment, materials and transport.
The men’s creations are also sold with any proceeds going back into the group.
David, 44, was put in touch with the group through the Health and Wellbeing Coach (HAWC) service. “I’m not particularly arty, I just wanted to try new things, but it needed to be a small group because I have social anxiety.
“It’s a small group and we’re doing something so it distracts you from the fact that you’re being social. That helps with the anxiety side of things.
“I like that they sell the things we make. It’s nice to know something you’ve made is wanted by someone else. It gives you a sense of achievement and pride.”
Two of the men had never left Barrow before, so the group arranges trips out to help boost their confidence and mental health. They have been to Ravenglass, Holker Hall and Dalton Castle, documenting their outings with the help of a volunteer photographer.
Volunteer
Artworks Art4All is entirely volunteer run, with 17 people currently regularly giving up their time to help out. Men’s Make Do and Mend is led by two male volunteers, to put the members at ease.
One volunteer explained: “Since I first started volunteering with Men’s group, about a year ago, I think the bond they have formed as a group has helped to see each individual shine. Watching them give each other help and support is amazing. Two of the group who have autism have developed their own voice; they are prepared to have their say, even if they disagree with others in the group.
“Watching those who were so quiet originally now be fully engaged is what being a volunteer is all about. It makes me smile when I hear the group chatting, exchanging banter, when initially it was quiet.
“Recently one of the founder members of the group, who has attended for over two years now, was invited to become a volunteer for the group and has now taken on the role. We also think another member of the group is ready to progress to be a volunteer.”
Dale, 36, has found the group helpful after the death of two close family members. “Just coming to this group instead of sitting at home helps me get through that and gives me a routine. It’s just getting out the house and interacting with people.”
As Karl added: “Technology has made people more lonely. People are lonelier than ever, even though you can talk to people all over the world.
“I come here and talk rubbish. Come and have a cup of tea, making something, and talk.”