AGM 2026 ~ The Aldridge Shed

Chair of Trustees and Chair of Steering Committee’s Report

10th Anniversary AGM – Aldridge Shed

This AGM is particularly special as we celebrate ten years since the start of Aldridge Shed.

As we look back to our first AGM in 2017, we are reminded of just how far we have come. At that time, we had been open for just over a year. We were celebrating finding premises, building workbenches, securing our first grants and welcoming our first 66 members. None of us could have imagined then that ten years later we would be celebrating a move to larger premises because we had outgrown our original home.

What began in February 2016 as a public meeting attended by around 50 people interested in the idea of a community shed has grown into a vibrant and valued community organisation serving people across Aldridge and beyond.

Ten years ago, 7^th June, 2016 We opened at Alrewych Court and were focused on establishing ourselves and proving that the concept could work. Today, we are a thriving organisation that provides opportunities for people to learn new skills, share knowledge, make friends and support one another.

The true measure of our success is not the number of projects completed, grants received or equipment acquired. The real success of Aldridge Shed is found in people.

It is seen in the friendships that have been formed, the confidence that has been rebuilt, the skills that have been shared and the sense of belonging that so many members have found.

Over the past decade we have seen people walk through our doors looking for companionship, purpose, practical skills or simply a place to belong. We have watched friendships develop, confidence grow and lives enriched through the simple act of people coming together.

In many ways, the Shed has become far more than a workshop or community space – it has become a community in the truest sense of the word.

The past year has been particularly significant. Due to increasing membership and growing community engagement, we took the important step of moving to larger premises.

This was a major undertaking, but it reflects the continued growth and

relevance of Aldridge Shed within our community. Our new home provides greater opportunities for creativity, learning and social connection, whilst

positioning us well for future development.

Growth inevitably brings challenges. Increased operating costs, utilities,

maintenance and the need for sustainable funding remain important priorities for the Trustees and committee members. We continue to work diligently to secure grants, develop partnerships and identify new fund raising opportunities to ensure that the Shed remains accessible, affordable and welcoming to all.

Like many charities and community organisations, we have faced challenges throughout our journey. Yet each challenge has demonstrated the resilience,

commitment and determination of the people involved with Aldridge Shed. Time and again our members and supporters have stepped forward to ensure the Shed continues to flourish.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our committee members, fellow Trustees, Shed members, supporters and community partners. Everything we have achieved over the past decade has been made possible through your dedication, generosity and belief in what Aldridge Shed stands for.

As Trustees, our responsibility is not only to celebrate the past but also to

ensure that the charity remains strong and sustainable for the future. We

remain committed to good governance, financial sustainability and creating

opportunities to reach even more people within our community.

Looking ahead, our ambition remains clear: to build on the strong foundations laid over the last ten years, strengthen our partnerships, expand our activities and ensure that Aldridge Shed continues to be a place where everyone feels

welcomed, valued and able to contribute.

As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, it is important to remember that

Aldridge Shed has never been about buildings, tools or equipment. It has

always been about people. Every Shed member who has found friendship, every Shed member who has given their time, every supporter who has encouraged us and every life that has been positively impacted forms part of the story we

celebrate today.

Ten years is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the story. It is an

opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved and to look ahead with

optimism and confidence. We are proud of our past, encouraged by our present and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

On behalf of the Trustees and Committee, thank you for being part of this

journey. The first ten years have been remarkable. Together we have built

something of which we can all be proud. As we look to the future, we firmly

believe that the best is yet to come.

Ivor Anderson                      Ian Davis
Chair of Trustees                  Chair of Steering Committee
Aldridge Shed                     Aldridge Shed