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A year ago Gerwyn Davies' life was spiralling out of control.

He was going through his second divorce and having been forced to retire early, his depression was getting worse.

The 64-year-old turned to gambling as a form of distraction.

He said: "Me and my wife became separated so going through a divorce was extremely tough.

"I turned to gambling but when you do that you aren't even sure why. You look at your bank statement at the end of the week and it's only then you realise."

Gerwyn first got married when he was 20 and worked in the steelworks for a few years before working for the Royal Mint.

"I had a normal childhood, my father was a miner and nothing happened that was out of the ordinary. I got married, worked in the steelworks and that was a normal thing from a kid in the Rhondda," he added.

"I got a job in the Royal Mint and worked there for a few years but I had arthritis in my back and my hands and moved up to a management role. In 2002, I was medically retired in my late 40s and that took its toll on me.

"I never would've expected to retire at that age and its when my mental health and depression became really bad."

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

He was forced to retire after pain in his back and a condition in which one or more fingers become permanently bent in a flexed position - called Dupuytren's contracture.

The father-of-two, originally from the Rhondda but now living in Llantrisant, said during this time he noticed aggressive traits in his behaviour and also wouldn't acknowledge he was depressed.

"Little things would just irritate me and I wouldn't know why," he added.

"I'm a miners son, we're not supposed to cry, we don't talk about mental health, it's just how it always was.

"When you're in that state mentally, you're constantly having negative thoughts. You go to shave and you're looking at your razors with negative thoughts that's just how it is."

Gerwyn was told about a Mens Shed project in Porth, a social enterprise set up in local communities to help men deal with their mental health issues.

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

He decided to give it a go - but three times after arriving he turned up only to walk away because he was too scared to go inside.

However, since going and despite going through a second divorce, he has turned his life around and is now the chairman of the group.

The "shed" which runs mainly woodworking activities, has members who have suffered from strokes, bereavement mental health issues and more.

Gerwyn added: "If it wasn't for the project, I wouldn't be alive. It has given me something to look forward to and find people who have gone through similar problems to myself.

"I am able to help others and that helps me. Currently we operate three mornings a week but the dream is to expand, and hopefully one day open five days a week.

"My message to anyone suffering from mental health would be to talk to someone, don't let it drag on, visit these sheds and get the help you need."

(Image: Richard Swingler)

The shed, which is located at the Pop Factory in Porth, recently benefited from a £499,863 National Lottery grant and has helped provide better equipment and machinery.

They have around 15 members and have recently opened a women's shed at the same location.

For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.