Pepper John's Men Shed has opened in Downpatrick inside the former Down Recorder newspaper building. The facility serves men from the older generation. It operates Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm.

Members use the space for hands-on projects including making benches and planters. One project involves rebuilding a model of Downpatrick Cathedral made 170 years ago. Organizers plan to return the model to the cathedral or display it in Downpatrick Museum.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust's Addiction Team supports the shed. Peer Support Worker Mark Sharkey-Greenhalgh stated that service users from the Recovery Shed assisted in setting up the new site. The team donated a table and helped based on support received for their own shed.

John Nugent helps run the Men's Shed. He noted the building started as an empty shell but now includes benches, tables and tools.

Dessie Curran belongs to Downshire's Recovery Shed. He credited the sheds with helping him stay clean and sober. Curran donated tools to the new Men's Shed.