500th UK Men’s Shed opens

One of our favourite shed-based organisations, Men's Shed, is celebrating with the opening of its 500th shed - marking a 66% increase in openings over the last three years - as well as announcing a new partner in Ronseal.

The 500th shed (pictured above) was opened in the village of Blewbury, Oxfordshire, six years after Men's Shed launched in the UK and like all the others across the country offers a range of DIY sessions as well as bringing men together to reduce loneliness and social isolation, especially among the elderly and retired.

Indeed, a survey by the UK Men’s Sheds Association showed that 97% said they had made new friends at a Men’s Shed, while 89% noted a decrease in depression. The association also reported that the volunteering value of ‘shedders’ supporting the local community each year is an estimated £10.5m. Men’s Sheds now provide a welcoming social space for around 12,000 members in the UK.


In addition to the opening of the 500th shed, the UK Men’s Sheds Association also announced a new partnership with British woodcare specialist Ronseal. This includes sponsorship by Ronseal of a series of DIY skills sessions at The Manchester Men’s Shed in Moss Side, beginning this summer. The plan is to roll out the skills sessions to more sheds in future, helping to add further momentum to the already fast-growing Men’s Sheds movement.

Charlie Bethel, Chief Officer of UK Men’s Sheds Association, said: “The opening of the 500th shed is a real cause for celebration. Since the Men’s Sheds movement began in the UK, we’ve seen sheds right across the country make a huge difference to the lives of their members and the communities they support. The new partnership with Ronseal is further evidence that the Men’s Sheds movement is going from strength to strength as we continue to bring in new partners and offer new skills and services through Men’s Sheds.”

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UK Men’s Sheds host ‘The Parliament Shed’ in Westminster

UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) have erected a Men’s Shed at Portcullis House in the Palace of Westminster estate and will man it until March 22 in a drive to raise awareness of men’s wellbeing and the Men’s Shed movement.

‘The Parliament Shed’ has been custom-built and is designed to highlight the health, wellbeing and social benefits of community-run Men’s Sheds and the key areas where Sheds make an impact. Expert partners from partners and shedders such as the Zero Suicide Alliance and the Centre for Ageing Better are joining UKMSA and shedders from around the UK to explain the causes and promote the benefits of their work. Topics include: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Men’s Health and Loneliness. 

With more than 1,100 Men’s Sheds across the UK and over 33,000 ‘Shedders’, the UKMSA aims to use this platform to engage with people working in the parliamentary estate and government to raise the profile of the Men’s Sheds movement, and highlight the causes and partners engaged at the event.

Charlie Bethel, chief executive officer said: “Men’s Sheds work because they are a simple concept people can relate to. Whether it is a Shed building bird boxes or mending football boots and bikes to give to disadvantaged children in their communities, you can see a real pride and sense of achievement in everyone who comes through the door of a Shed."

In addition, UKMSA will be announcing a formal partnership with Royal British Legion at The Parliament Shed. "Many Sheds in the UK have veterans in. With the Royal British Legion we hope to increase that number by helping Sheds become more accessible, particularly for people with conditions such as PTSD. We believe this agreement will also see more Sheds opened and we can have more of an impact on communities across the UK. We are particularly proud to be working on establishing Dementia Sheds across the six RBL Care Homes," explained Bethel.

The Parliament Shed was donated by Wickes, Onduline and Power Sheds and has been adapted by Black Park Shed in Buckinghamshire for the week-long event in Parliament. Tools, equipment and supplies have been provided by Axminster Tools Ltd, TiteFix and Ronseal.

Discovering Men’s Sheds - UK Conference

We've covered the rise of the Men's Sheds movement in Australia and from its earliest days in the UK so we're delighted to hear from Age UK that they will be running a special conference on the subject on September 29, 'Discovering Men’s Sheds
The effect on men’s health, wellbeing and informal learning' in Leicester.

Age UK is developing, piloting and evaluating sheds in three locations over a two-year period (ending April 2012) and they hope that the conference will benefit all of those with an interest in finding out more about the value of Men’s Sheds, non formal learning, and health and wellbeing. The conference will:
* Explore achievements of the Men’s Sheds initiative and proposed future developments
* Consider the importance of linking non formal learning with men’s health and wellbeing
* Hear from Age UK’s pilot Men in Sheds projects about their challenges and successes in setting up and running their Sheds

To book online visit www.ageuk.org.uk/conferences or get in touch with us here at Shedworking and we'll send you pdf leaflets directly. Here's the programme:

10:00 Registrations, interactive exhibitions and networking
10:40 Welcome and introduction from the chair of morning sessions (TBC)
10:45 Introduction to ‘A shedder’s story’
David Richardson
National Programme Delivery Manager, Age UK
10:50 A shedder’s story: what a shed means to a man
10:55 Men’s Sheds in context: men’s health, wellbeing and informal learning
Professor John Field
Professor of Lifelong Learning and Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning, University of Stirling
11:15 Q & A session
11:20 Tea and movement to workshops
11.30 Morning workshops (repeated in the afternoon)
12:40 Lunch, interactive exhibition and networking
1.40 Chair for the afternoon: Jim Soulsby
Honorary Research Fellow, Institute of Lifelong Learning,
University of Leicester and Association of Education and Ageing.
1:45 Keynote address: Professor Barry Golding
Deputy Head of School of Education, University of Ballarat, Australia and an honorary Australian Men’s Sheds Association Patron and Adult Learning Australia Board member.
2:15 Q & A session
2:25 Afternoon workshops (repeated from the morning)
3:25 Panel discussion
David Hughes, Chief Executive, NIACE
Heléna Herklots, Services Director, Age UK
Barry Golding, Deputy Head of School of Education, University of Ballarat, Australia
Peter Baker, Chief Executive, Men’s Health Forum
3:50 Chair’s concluding remarks
4:00 Close of conference (tea/coffee available)

Workshops will include how to set up and run a shed, and how to keep a shed going once it's up and running.
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Scottish Men’s Sheds call for funding support

The Scottish Men's Sheds Association (SMSA) is asking members and the public to support its petition which will be sent to the First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister for Scotland John Swinney. In short, it calls on the Scottish Government to reverse their decision to stop core funding of the national association. Here's a lot more detail from the SMSA:

In a post-pandemic world, when reducing social isolation and loneliness and reconnecting with our communities once again is paramount, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is making a call for action for the government to continue to financially support the national hub of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement and men’s health and wellbeing.

The SMSA was formed in 2014 to create a new national health movement for men which did not previously exist in Scotland and share their unique Men’s Shed development pathway strategy to new groups. Since 2016, the Association has expanded into: Shed-specific tailored information such as policies and constitutions; mediation support; consultation with a hard-to-reach group; promotion of the work of the sector; discounts from SMSA partners for Sheds to reduce costs; sustainability strategy advice; co-production for the voice of men’s health in a variety of sectors and Cross-Party groups; and a national membership programme for its Shed Members and 3,000+ Individual Members.

The SMSA’s initial start-up funding was received from the Scottish Government in 2016 but unlike the successful developmental statutory support of the Australian and Irish governments for their respective Men’s Shed movements, ours has been reduced over the years and now stopped.

We have been successful in attracting other funders in recent years to cover this shortfall however require statutory funding as the demand for services and support increases immensely. Despite a meeting with Scottish Government where the SMSA Chief Executive, SMSA Chairman and SMSA Patron, Sir Harry Burns (the former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland) appealed for increased support for the charity and the movement, the decision was unfortunately made in February 2022 by three Ministers (proposed new trilateral funding strategy) to rather stop all statutory funding to the SMSA going forward in 2023.

Now is not the time to abandon and disinvest in this successful men’s health movement that is voluntarily engaging with and reaching men and changing and saving lives. These volunteers need our support now more than ever as evidenced by the ever-increasing growth in our membership.  

As we near the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the first Men’s Shed in Scotland, we now celebrate over 200 open and developing Men’s Sheds groups across Scotland (in all 32 local authority areas) reaching and supporting 10,000+ men aged 18 or over. This year, we also welcomed the completion and findings of our four-year partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University’s research (£150,000) – Sheds for Sustainable Development Project.

Our three-year development plans (2023-2026) have taken into account this research and core statutory developmental funding is required if the movement is to not only continue to grow but remain sustainable for its volunteers and their health and wellbeing. We strongly believe that the current number of Men’s Sheds in Scotland (202) has only reached just under half (45%) of what it could be.

  

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Men's Sheds make men healthier, new report shows

 The Men’s Sheds health initiatives increase men’s confidence, self-worth and sense of wellbeing by providing an environment for men that is appealing, safe and socially acceptable, indicates new research by Leeds Beckett University.

As regular readers know, Men’s Sheds began in Australia, and the first England-based Shed was established in 2009. Their aim is to bring men (often of retirement age) together around practical tasks on a regular basis. They offer men a place to share skills, learn informally, pursue individual and community projects, and achieve a sense of purpose and social interaction. Many Men's Sheds focus on activities like woodwork and metalwork, with health and wellbeing a subsidiary outcome. 
The study, by Steven Markham, Lecturer and Researcher in the School of Health and Community Studies, found that by being given the resources to help others, men felt more connected to their local communities and a greater sense of purpose.

Through in-depth interviews Shed organisers and participants, Steven found that the Men’s Shed encouraged men to talk and share in a friendly environment. Men were able to be themselves and communicate with humour in a non-judgmental way.

“Men die an average of 3.7 years younger than women and suffer more chronic conditions," he said,  "topping the death rates for 15 of the leading causes of death. My research has implications for the development of new Men's Sheds and regarding the way health, social care and wellbeing services can successfully appeal to men and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

“Evidence exists that Men's Sheds improve health and wellbeing, however less is known about how they achieve these improved health and wellbeing outcomes. The Shed I investigated primarily focuses on wellbeing and has introduced other subsidiary activities, such as volunteering on community projects, foodbanks, and woodwork. They meet two evenings a week and on a Saturday daytime.”

The men in Steven’s study reported that they felt more secure, emotionally connected and more connected to their local communities as a result of their time spent at the Shed. These things led to reduced social isolation and brought a sense of meaning to the men's lives. They enjoyed and wanted to help other people. “This is a key point," adds Steven, "because men often do not want to be the recipients of 'services'. Through the Men's Shed, the men were given an avenue, the resources and encouragement to be able to help others. By doing so, this increased their confidence and sense of self-worth and improved their wellbeing.”

Steven will present his new research at the British Sociological Association (BSA) Medical Sociology Group annual conference at Aston University, Birmingham, today.  ----------------------------------------------------

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Scottish Men's Sheds on Lorraine Kelly plus new health briefing

An interesting slot on Lorraine Kelly's eponymous ITV show this week featured radio presenter Beverley Turner, former wife of rower/Strictly dancer James Cracknell, talking about how he has recovered from his accident and about her interview/features on male mental health issues playing on Union JACK Radio this week. The whole interview is below and the couple talk about the Scottish Men's Sheds Assocation from the 3:30 point:

Meanwhile, The Glasgow Caledonian University 'Sheds for Sustainable Development Project' has out out a new policy briefing looking at findings from their study on the impacts of Men's Shed activity. You can read the whole thing here, but here's their summary:

Studies have shown that although men are more likely to faceillness and mortality, and are more likely to take part in risky behaviours than women, they are less likely to useformal healthcare. Men’s Sheds have been identified as a potential way for men to access support and take part in positive healthbehaviours in an informal ‘male friendly’environment. This briefing outlines emerging findings from in-depth interviews with 62 members of five Men’s Sheds in Scotland. Our findings suggest that the characteristics of Men’s Sheds, in offering practical and social activity in a space that is inclusive of all men, impacts on the mental health, physical health, and social wellbeing of Shed members. Findings also suggest that the supportive atmosphere of Men’s Sheds allows men to share personal challenges as well as life skills and experiences in a safe and socially acceptable environment.

Sheds For Life: new report on impact of Irish Men's Sheds

Research into the impact of Men's Sheds is very much the flavour of the month. The latest report comes from the Irish Men's Sheds Association -  there are 450 men’s sheds in Ireland with over 10,000 men visiting a shed weekly - and was undertaken by Aisling McGrath from the Waterford Institute of Technology. She examined the IMSA's recent 'Sheds for Life' campaign to encourage men to join up. Essentially, the conclusions are that Sheds for Life:

• Increased physical activity levels
  
• Improved feelings of self worth and satisfaction with life
  
• Encouraged men to talk about their mental health in a comfortable environment
  
• Boost confidence in maintaining a healthy diet and general health awareness
  

Interestingly, it also highlighted the impact of the coronavirus lockdowns - only 1.4% of men interviewed for the study described themselves as lonely before the enforced shed closures, a figure which leapt to 39.2% a year later.

Enda Egan, CEO, Irish Men’s Sheds Association, said: "We are very encouraged that this targeted intervention produced such long term positive change. We see this as a cost-effective template to roll out across the country. The health outcomes of this group of men remain generally worse than women with higher mortality for almost all leading causes of death. This gender-specific tailored and targeted approach works on health and well-being in a meaningful and effective way, focussing risk factors and prevention through lifestyle changes.”

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Scottish Men's Sheds offer crisis grants

As part of the Scottish Government's package of funding to combat isolation and loneliness, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has been awarded 30,000 to support Men’s Sheds in Scotland. The money will assist sheds that are suffering financial problems with running costs such as rent and heating, and which face shutting because of the pandemic. 

“SMSA is delighted to have secured this crisis grant funding for Scottish Men’s Sheds through the Scottish Government," said Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer. "Covid-19 forced our Sheds to close temporarily, calling a halt to much of their fundraising activities and this is impacting heavily on their income generation.  This fund will support new and existing Sheds, large and small, to cover core running costs to offset this lost income.  We will aim to help those Sheds in crisis to give them the peace of mind to ensure they are still here in the future when Sheds will be needed most.

“A huge area of concern is how this pandemic has impacted on people’s health and wellbeing and we need to ensure the survival of our Sheds for when men can attend them again, hopefully in the spring time. This funding has the potential to do so much good.  We will strive to stretch it as far and wide as we can to prevent any closures.”

The SMSA will start to release funds to successful applicants later this month.

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Major new funding for Men’s Sheds

 The Australian Government is providing funding to 90 Men’s Sheds across the country to support the mental health and overall wellbeing of Australian men.

Men’s Sheds will receive grants totalling $395,000 under the ongoing National Shed Development Programme to help them buy tools, maintain sheds and host community activities focused on men’s health issues. There are three categories of grants – for purchase of tools and equipment, community projects and training; for building maintenance and development; and for health improvement activities.

About a third of Men’s Sheds will use this money to run community activities or events focussed specifically on health issues affecting men, some in partnership with local allied health services.
They may be awareness-raising events or providing education and training such as first aid. These activities will be aimed at men in the wider community, not just members of the Men’s Shed.

Although mental illness affects both men and women, men are less likely to seek help. In 2016, the rate of suicide among Australian males was more than three times that of females.

This funding is part of the total $5.1 million that the Government is providing to the Australian Men’s Shed Association to support Men’s Sheds over the three years to June 2019.


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Men's Sheds debated in Scottish Parliament

It's not often that sheds are debated at the highest levels so hats off to the Scottish Parliament for their recent debate on Men's Sheds in Scotland (you can find the Scottish Men's Sheds Association here). Here was the motion under consideration:

That the Parliament recognises the important contribution that the Men’s Sheds movement makes to people’s wellbeing; notes that there are now sheds running or in development across the length and breadth of the country, including in Lauder, Galashiels, Peebles, Mayfield and Roslin; understands that the activities and groups vary from community to community but that, by and large, the sheds provide a meeting place for men to undertake activities in a friendly, supportive and social environment; believes that such groups can have a positive impact on men’s mental health and wellbeing by providing supportive groups that offer an opportunity for them to feel more able to open up about anything bothering them as well as helping them build positive ties in their community, and hopes that more sheds can continue to be established.

You can read the full debate here or watch it in the video below - it's rather heartwarming and I'd strongly recommend it - but here is an excerpt:

[Christine Grahame, SNP] The fight for facilities and funding pulls the men together from the start. The shed is theirs and of their making and their shaping. Because there is no predetermined, one-size-fits-all format, it is up to the members, and that is exactly how it should be. Those members have diverse skills, and the retired accountant and the retired joiner are equally useful. What they do is up to them. Galashiels Men’s Shed has made 60 feeders for red squirrels and carried out furniture repairs for the Aberlour Child Care Trust.

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How Men's Sheds are helping to beat loneliness

The reports into the beneficial effects of Men's Sheds continue to appear unabated. The latest is a report from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Sheds for Sustainable Development Project concentrating on how the Sheds counteract social isolation.

"Men’s Sheds in the UK have been highlighted for the impact they can have on men’s social wellbeing but less is known about their ability to address social isolation and loneliness, especially among retired and unemployed men," said lead researcher, Dr Danielle Hutcheon from Glasgow Caledonian University.

In-depth interviews with 62 Shed members from five Scottish Sheds indicate that Men’s Sheds offer various activities that encourage meeting new people and forming social networks where this had been previously lacking. In particular, Sheds were found to be beneficial to those who were socially isolated due to retirement or living alone.

You can read the full report here (it's not too long and is well worth a look). 

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European Men's Sheds

menssheds.eu helps support the development of Men’s Sheds and Men’s Sheds Associations throughout Europe. Regular readers will know that while the Men’s Sheds movement started in Australia it has spread to Europe and there are now national associations for the UK, and individual ones for Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There are also plans underway to set up Men’s Sheds in Holland, Sweden, Finland and  Spain.
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UK Men's Sheds Shed of the Year

Although there is the longstanding Shed of the Year competition (entries for this year's iteration close next Wednesday), other shed competitions are available, particularly the one organised by the UK Men's Sheds Association which in the tenth year of its operation has announed the winner of its annual award at at ceremony in the House of Lords.

Sponsored by Tite-Fix, this year they had five categories recognising contributions to community, health and wellbeing, partnerships, and supporting each other. The awards were hosted by Paralympic star Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson with Maria Cauldfield MP as guest speaker. 

Congratulations to the overall winner, Bootle Tool Shed (pictured above), but congratulations to all those who won awards: 

Long Sutton Men’s Shed – Shed Community Project of the Year 

Gareth Lloyd Kessingland Shed – Shed Volunteer of the Year 

Lancaster Men’s Shed – Shed Health and Wellbeing Impact of the Year

Cotswold Community Shed of the Year – Shed Partnership of the Year

Mike Jenn Camden - Blue Plaque

Patrick Abrahams – UKMSA Chairman’s Award

Chris Griffiths – UKMSA Chairman’s Award

Tony Smith-Crallan – UKMSA Chairman’s Award

Rob Lloyd Chairman of UK Men’s Sheds Association said: "Each and every nomination this year deserved an award. These Sheds demonstrate everything that is great about Men’s Sheds.” 

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Men's Shed of the Year Awards and Diageo alcohol campaign

Our various Men's Sheds organisations are as busy, busy, busy as ever. In Scotland, there's not much time left to vote in the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2024 Awards which "recognise, reward and promote the contribution Men’s Sheds make and the huge life-changing impact that they are having on the people of Scotland and in our communities". Winners announced October 4 and you can still vote here until September 15.

Meanwhile, Diageo has begun an 18-month pilot project with the UK Men’s Sheds Association, to co-develop a programme of activity to encourage alcohol moderation. Managing director of Diageo Great Britain Nuno Teles, said: “By partnering together we aim to expand their impactful work by improving men’s wellbeing and raising awareness about alcohol moderation. Together, we want to empower individuals and create more connected communities. Having visited the Men’s Shed in Camden, I have seen the positive impact these spaces have in nurturing a sense of purpose and belonging within the community. It was a joy to meet the Shedders and discuss how we can collaborate to drive meaningful progress.”

Chief executive officer of UK Men’s Sheds, Charlie Bethel commented: “This programme will deliver a positive impact on Shedders, and I hope, the wider population, to provide a greater understanding of our relationship with alcohol and develop more positive social habits; particularly as we age."

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New shed twinning project

A marvellous new scheme plans to link Men's Sheds projects in Ireland (where they're just getting off the ground) and Australia (where they've been around for a while). Acccording to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, they have recently been contacted by various Australian Men’s Sheds looking to find partner sheds in Ireland and to support the development of Men’s Sheds over here. Here's what they say: "So this is a call out to the Men’s Shed in Ireland to answer their call. If your shed or your group who are planning to set up a shed in your community would like to become partners with a well established Australian Shed please contact us here at IMSA at info@menssheds.ie and we will put you in contact with a partner shed."
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Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020

There is more than one Shed of the Year competition nowadays and the latest winner of Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ organised by the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is The Inverclyde Shed has been crowned Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020. The two other shortlisted finalists were Garnock Valley Men’s Shed, and Kinross & District Men’s Shed. 

“We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award and title," said Chairman of The Inverclyde Shed, Bruce Newlands. "This shows a huge vote of confidence that there are really good people doing some really great things here in Inverclyde! It must be recognised that, although this is a competition, there is absolutely no rivalry with our fellow Men’s Sheds. Sheds are all at different stages and sizes and we have only been inspired, encouraged and supported by other Sheds to implement activities and ideas that have worked for them. We invested in a 3D printer after hearing about Kinross & District Men’s Shed creating face visors for frontline workers and launched a carving club after hearing about the success of the modellers’ club offering at Garnock Valley Men’s Shed.  This award showcases the great work being carried out by Sheds across Scotland so we can share knowledge and ideas to improve the health and wellbeing of the men in our communities.”

More details here.

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Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year announced

There are shed of the year winners wherever you look at the moment. As well as the Shed of the Year announced last week, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed has won the inaugural Scottish Men's Shed of the Year award (pictured left to right are James Paterson, secretary of Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed; Derek Keiller, SMSA chairman; and Mike O’Brien, chairman of Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed).

The Aberchirder branch was set up in 2016 by a group of seven friends and the shed was built the following year thanks to a land grant by Aberdeenshire Council - it features five cabins with toilets, kitchen, computer and social areas and was officially opened earlier this spring by the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell.

A spokesman for the shed said: "The Shedders have worked with local schools, charities, businesses and residents to provide planters, fencing, garden seats, hanging baskets, firewood and chicken coups in addition to being the envy of the community with its homegrown fruit and veg." Aultbea Men’s Shed and Cromarty Firth Men’s Shed tied for the runner-up places and each receive a £250 cash prize and gift vouchers from Axminster Tools.

The event was held at the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed in Dundee and the trophy was designed by Derek Keiller, made using mahogany from a 100-year-old billiards table.

Jason Schroeder, executive officer at the SMSA and co-founder of the first Men’s Shed in Scotland in Aberdeenshire  in 2013, said: “Today’s event celebrates the success and growth of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland.  By showcasing the award nominees and their life-changing impact it is hoped that more men will access Men’s Sheds to connect with their communities, to improve their health and wellbeing, and that new Men’s Sheds will continue to be developed across Scotland.” ---------------------------------------

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Men's Sheds UK looking for new Partnerships and Community Development Manager

An interesting vacancy is now being advertised by the Men's Sheds Association for the above post. It's full time, 35 hours a week, and funded for three years, with a closing date of June 4. Here's a brief rundown of the job with all the details at the link above:

"The development and growth of Men’s Sheds is made possible through a network of volunteers and partnerships across the UK. This role will develop, coordinate and manage partnerships with other organisations and charities to support the growth and development of the movement. This role has the focus to support the growth of new and development of new Men’s Sheds, enhancing our reach and the reach of Sheds. Our partnerships underpin the development programmes for the charity."

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New study looks at impact of Men's Sheds in the UK

A new study is making an indepth examination of how Men's Sheds work for and in their local communities. The University of East Anglia (UEA) is collaborating with the UK Men’s Sheds Association. In particular, researchers are looking at measuring their impact not only on loneliness, mental health, and wellbeing, but also trying to understand how people are introduced to Men’s Sheds.

The UEA team is looking for the views and experiences of people who attend a Men’s Shed to help shape and support how they are developed further. If you'd like to take part, there are  two questionnaires with a range of questions about you, how you joined the Men’s Shed, and a series of questions about your wellbeing  and social relationships. You do not need to answer all the questions and no participants' information will be indentifiable. There is also an option to take part in online interviews which last around half an hour. At the end of the study, UEA  will  produce a report and video to share their findings. 

And when you finish a questionnaire, you will be entered into a prize draw with the chance of winning a  £50 or £25 voucher for a range of high street shops. If you also take part in the interviews, you will be also get a £15 voucher.

If you’re interested in being involved in any way, please email lead researcher Bryony Porter bryony.porter@uea.ac.uk

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Coronavirus and Men's Sheds

The UK Men's Sheds Association has issued advice about the continuing activities of Men's Sheds groups while the Coronavirus continues to cause disruption. This is what they say:

We understand some Shedders may choose to self-isolate and we know how caring the Shedder community is, so please remember to stay in touch with your fellow Shedders by phone or email to check they are okay.  As BT used to say, ‘it’s good to talk’.  It may also be prudent to keep your attendance registers up to date in case a member contracts the disease and you need to contact fellow members who came in to contact with them. Remember – do not be a hero, if you feel ill – even if the Shed depends on you, stay home, stay safe and seek health advice immediately.

The Scottish Men's Sheds Association is similarly encouraging members to stay safe. Here is their advice:

"As a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of Shedders, the SMSA is asking Shedders to think twice before attending their local Men’s Shed if they are feeling ill or have symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath etc). If you are feeling well and intend to go along to your Shed, please take precautions such as washing your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and ensure mugs, cups and cutlery in the Shed are thoroughly cleaned.  Should you experience symptoms, please contact the NHS on 111 and contact your Shed by email or phone to let them know that you are ill. 

"SMSA encourages Shedders to maintain strong support networks to ensure no-one feels isolated.  It is important to be vigilant and look out for our fellow Shedders, friends, family and community members during this time." --------------------------------------

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