LONELINESS is one of the quietest but most serious challenges facing our country and our communities.

Recent national surveys suggest that around half of adults in the UK feel lonely at least some of the time, with millions saying they often or always feel this way.

That is not just a statistic. It is a human reality that affects health, wellbeing and community life in places like Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Crediton and Okehampton, just as much as in our big cities.

That is why my recent visit to Okehampton Men in Sheds was so uplifting. Based in the town, they offer a friendly, practical space where people can come together, share skills and enjoy each other’s company.

Okehampton itself now has a population of just over 7,000 in the parish, and around 9,000 in the wider built up area, so a project of this scale really matters locally.

The shed is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm. During those hours, volunteers repair and recycle items for local charities and community groups, giving new life to tools, furniture and equipment that might otherwise go to waste.

Their work saves money for good causes, supports the environment and creates a welcoming place where people feel they belong.

Across the UK, research shows that about seven per cent of adults feel lonely often or always, which equates to over three million people in England alone.

Among older people, the picture can be particularly stark, with hundreds of thousands estimated to go a week without speaking to friends or family. Initiatives like Men in Sheds are one of the most practical answers to this problem.

Studies of Men’s Sheds across the country have found that regular members report feeling less lonely, less depressed and more connected to their communities.

Many also become more physically active simply by getting out of the house and taking part in woodworking, repairs and other shared projects. The impact on both mental and physical health can be significant.

Okehampton Men in Sheds is a shining example of what can be achieved when local volunteers, charities and supporters come together with a clear purpose.

Every time I visit I am struck by the warmth of the welcome and the pride that members take in their work for others.

I am determined to continue supporting them in any way I can, both by highlighting their contribution in Parliament and by working with local partners to help them thrive.

Anyone who feels they might benefit from company, practical activity or a chance to give something back should consider dropping in during one of their open sessions.

In a town the size of Okehampton, a project like this can make all the difference between isolation and real community.

Sir Mel Stride

MP for Central Devon