Reddish Men In Sheds

Reddish Men In Sheds (RMIS) is a group of (mainly) older men who meet three afternoons each week to service and repair donated pre-loved bicycles.  We then donate dozens of bikes via our Bike Giveaway scheme to schools/ community groups/ food banks/ refugee groups for people facing financial and/or social disadvantage.  Some are also sold directly from us, in person, or via a local charity shop (Re:Dish).  They are sold at modest prices to ensure that as many people as possible can access cycling regardless of income.   We prevent a lot of old bikes from sitting unloved, unused and rusting; bikes that may otherwise go to waste or landfill.

As well as boosting the physical and mental health of the community by providing affordable access to exercise we also want to improve the general health of our group members.  There will be over 1.5 million men aged over 50 in the UK by 2030.  Often at risk of isolation and depression, after a lifetime of active working, older men may find themselves with poor health, bereaved or divorced, isolated, struggle to get out, have restricted social activities etc.  All these factors make for loneliness and limited life choices.  We want to banish isolation and show men that there are many ways out of loneliness through friendship and activity through a common purpose here at RMIS.