Men's Sheds movement helps men find sense of purpose when they retire

When men retire, they often don’t have the network and wide circle of friends that women have, and many can end up feeling isolated and without a sense of purpose.

For those who find the offer of bingo and day centres unappealing, the Mens Sheds project helps men regain those feelings of purpose and their sense of identity, which might have been lost after giving up work.

The Men’s Sheds movement is made up of a growing number of projects all over the country, designed to combat loneliness and social isolation in older men, a typically hard to reach group, by giving them the platform needed to use their practical skills as part of a group project as opposed to an individual hobby.

While some men will remember disappearing into the shed at the end of their garden with fond memories, being able to continue their hobbies in this way has been lost for many, who are unable to carry out the work they used to do due to illness or old age.

Purpose and identity

The practical nature of the work is the main appeal for most men, with Men’s Sheds activities including both individual and groups projects, where informal learning and the sharing of resources is actively encouraged.

Mike Jenn, chair of the UK Men’s Shed Association said: “Men’s Sheds began in Australia and are ‘the shed at the bottom of the garden’ but larger, well equipped with tools and benches and run by a bunch of guys as an inclusive, practical, unprogrammed domain of shared space, work and leisure. They can be for individual pursuits or community projects and they can offer people greater purpose, achievement and social interaction.”

The first Shed was set up in 2009 by Age Concern Cheshire. There are now over 60 Sheds in the UK with many others being planned. These vary from full-time projects with paid staff to groups meeting in village halls and community centres for a few hours a week. Life changing

One active member described the positive impact Men’s Sheds had on his life, was because the shed is occupied by people with shared interests and hobbies.

Ken said: “I work on my craft (ceramics) in my own workshop. I like doing craft. It’s nice to work with others though. My wife and kids are not interested in it. By coming to the Shed I have got stimulation and company, in my case it has stimulated me to do better work. It gets you out of yourself. I like being by myself but it can get too much and you lack the critical input.”

These communal sheds often contain better equipment than the members’ own sheds, and through the shared space, more men can spend time as a group with a common purpose.

Another member, Tony, championed the sense of team within his local Men’s Shed and said: “Men’s Sheds fills a hole in my life left by retirement – it makes me feel valued and it’s great to be part of a team again.

“It’s very relaxed, you can do anything here, use all the facilities. There is kind and caring people.

“My spare time was going to waste. Your day goes much quicker when you have nothing to do. Here you meet new people and you get advice or tuition from others. Now I get up in the morning with something to achieve. I enjoy it when I’m doing something positive.”

Ian’s story

Men in Shed projects can also offer respite for those who might be caring for a partner and even create escapism for men living with a terminal or serious illness.

“I live alone and I became very ill - Cancer, pneumonia, shingles, no energy, difficulty walking, lots of problems - but as I started to get better I had no one to turn to. My previous life had revolved around the pub after work, drinking myself silly and sleeping. I loved my work (carpentry) but now I can’t smoke or drink if I want to live.

“So what am I to do? I got myself a laptop and went on a course for it. Then something on TV made me go on another course at the adult education place for photography. Everyone was friendly but then went back to their homes which were almost always miles away.

“My social worker started on about the old people’s centre where I could get a dinner and play bingo etc but I said that wasn’t me – and anyway I’m only in my sixties. Then he mentioned the Shed where you can go when you want and do wood work alongside whoever else turns up.

(It’s an independent club, open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10-4). I really look forward to going. It gives me something to get up for, a sense of achievement and I can do what I want to do. It makes me feel I can do more, I’ve improved in doing things, and there’s company. Last Sunday I helped man our stall at the local fair and I loved it. It gives me a zest for life. I enjoy every minute of it.”

Escapism

Age UK run their Men in Sheds project in many regional Age UK services.

Men In Sheds co-ordinator at Age UK Bexley, Sylvia Sime said: “The impact that it has had for the men that have joined so far is that they would have never met each other and they have a lot in common, it has given them a place that they can go and forget for a little while the troubles and illness that they are facing day to day.

“We at Age UK Bexley would like to offer men in the area a place of enjoyment and for them to Grow Fruit, Veg or even make things from the workshop it will be up to them on what they would like to make, they can have some skills or no skills but are willing to learn or support other men that would like to learn.”

Many local Age UKs have received funding to set up their Men in Sheds which are for men over the age of 60.

Ms Sime continued: “Age UK Bexley had been awarded funding from Bexley Council in 2012. Since then we have engaged the Men of the Bexley area in the allotment and workshop, and we have seen a great response to the 2 projects that we have running, we are always looking for new members to join.

“We are really grateful to Bexley Adult Education College for hosting us in our early stages, and helping us get off the ground. The new venue is great and we are very pleased to be working in partnership with Bexley and Greenwich Hospice. As well as their own projects, the members will be helping the hospice restore and renovate furniture that they can then sell, so we all benefit from this.”

With over 60 sheds now running throughout the UK, Mr Penn of the UK Men’s Shed Association is appealing to anyone interested in finding their local shed. He said: “If you miss the banter and activity of the workplace, like to be busy, have skills to share and skills to learn and are looking for a place to do that alongside others then you need a Shed.”

For more information on Men’s Sheds and advice on starting up a Shed, go to http://menssheds.org.uk/