FORMALLY constituted in 2018, a life-saving initiative is already making major inroads in alleviating loneliness in the community. In the short time it has been up and running, the Inverclyde Shed has picked up a major award and is really making a difference, even in these trying times. The following five shots give an account of the progress the Shed has made so far and we at the Telegraph look forward to bringing readers more happy news of their achievements to come. Inverclyde Shed chairperson Bruce Newlands is seen here with a basket of produce, grown at their Shore Street community garden in Gourock. A plentiful supply of vegetables and salad was made available to residents of nearby Riverside Gardens.

THIS picture was taken soon after the Shed team moved into new premises on Greenock's East Blackhall Street. The run-down building will be transformed into a community workshop with help from Inverclyde Council and a Scottish Government grant. One of the group's first tasks, a boat restoration project, made the perfect prop for the picture taken in 2020.

CRUDEN Building gave Inverclyde Shed a gift of tools to the value of £5,000 to help them with their community projects. The equipment was vital in allowing the group to expand the scope of their activities which, in turn, helped many people fight the scourge of loneliness which pervades modern life.

SHED leader Bruce Newlands usually keeps to the background during photocalls but could not duck out of the way quickly enough when I caught him on camera with his feathery friend. The cuddly duck had to do its bit for the community garden and obliged by providing a measure of pest control.

COMBATING loneliness is the driving purpose of the Inverclyde Shed and when that goal is combined with in-depth learning, we have the perfect recipe for success. This pic shows Laughlan Smith and Graeme Anderson in the Shed's design technology hub where they demonstrated the uses of 3D printing, laser cutting and digitally controlled tools.