Naas Women's Shed is one year old

Naas Women’s Shed is up and running and marked its first anniversary with a celebration party at Naas GAA centre. Since its inception, the shed has grown from strength to strength and it now has some 170 members.

NSW provides an opportunity for women to share and learn new crafts and skills. There are weekly demonstrations on a wide variation of subjects. 

The group's current activities include card games, crochet, walking and singing groups and Irish conversation classes. 

Members also participate in creative drawing, making seasonal decorations, flower arranging and cookery demonstrations, ukulele and sewing classes. A lesson on how to use a defibrillator was delivered by Naas First Responders and there were wellness talks on mental health as well as personal development sessions. 

NWS also offers an inclusive and supportive environment for all our members, many who are vulnerable, older and disabled. 

“Every month we go on an outing or trip. We make sure the transport we use is accessible for our wheelchair users and ladies with mobility aids. In the past few months, we have visited EPIC in Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny cities and Galway Christmas market and in January we plan to visit K Bowling in Kildare. Before Christmas our ‘happy singing group’ were very busy,” said secretary Helen Williams. 

“We were first asked to sing carols for the official “switching on” ceremony of the  Christmas lights in Naas.  Then we were invited to sing in front of Santa’s grotto in the Naas Moat Mall. On the Thursday before Christmas, we were asked to perform as guests of Bank of Ireland community day.”  

They engage with and support local businesses and they’ve designed their own membership cards which were printed in Naas.  Members can use the card to receive a discount in a few selected businesses in the town. “This supports our local shops and everybody benefits. Our equipment such as microphones and sound systems, stationery supplies, art and craft materials, catering supplies, and storage furniture were also sourced and purchased locally,” added Ms Williams. 

She said the shed offers a safe and stimulating way for women of all ages and dispositions to meet new people, helping isolation, sharing information, building confidence in gaining new abilities and re-introducing fun, happiness and kindness to their lives. 

“We believe a healthy person contributes enormously to creating a healthy community.” 

To celebrate this important milestone, Naas Women's Shed are holding a 1 year anniversary celebration party in Naas GAA on Monday 15th April from 10am - 1pm. We would like to invite you to be a part of this special occasion and highlight the event and some key features of the day at a local level.