Member Article

Support needed for local shed

Leeds initiative encourages Men to spend time in the shed

Originating from Australia in 2006, ‘Men in Sheds’ is a growing initiative that is spreading across the UK, there are currently 70 sheds in the UK, one of those being in Leeds.

Funded by Leeds City Council and managed through community charity, Groundwork, Men in Sheds have created an exciting new way for men to learn new skills. No previous experience is needed and with the guidance of the skilled ‘shedders’, men can try their hand at carpentry, wood turning, carving and whittling, in a fully equipped workshop. There’s even a constant supply of free tea and biscuits.

The shed is currently supported through the Government community learning grant which funds its opening three days a week until July. Without the additional support of funding from external businesses and organisations the shed will be forced to close, turning away up to 60 men.

Will Gore who runs the Leeds shed, comments; “There doesn’t seem to be any other community group which is focused solely on older men and allows them the freedom to be busy making and creating but still chat shoulder to shoulder with other men. We’re desperate to maintain this ethos and we’re always on the look out for additional support from organisations and individuals. Whether it’s supplying materials for our shedders to use, making a monetary donation or offering volunteers as part of corporate CSR programmes, we’re really keen to hear from you. All the sheds around the UK are independently managed, we don’t follow a framework, so the men are happy to be given different challenges, especially if it means their shed can stay open.”

Health experts now agree that in addition to the practical skills men learn in the shed, there is also a whole host of health benefits to be gained. Groundwork’s Will continues; “We’ve found that men, especially of the older generation can find it hard to deal with momentous life transitions, such as retirement, redundancy, divorce and bereavement. When faced with these challenges sometimes isolation and loneliness can set in. This initiative seeks to tackle this head on in an environment men feel comfortable in.”

Professor Alan White, a leading expert in men’s health from Leeds Metropolitan University has identified that pottering in sheds helps men to keep fit, lowers blood pressure and boosts self-esteem.

He states; “It is great to see that Leeds has a Men in Sheds initiative. They are now anestablished way of life for men in many countries who have retired and are keen to learn new skills while making some new friends. They are also really important in keeping men fit and healthy. Men can experience a great sense of achievement and satisfaction through these schemes aiding relaxation and relieving stress. The idea taps into the male psyche, men know what a shed is, it’s not something new or daunting, so they feel comfortable in that setting and are more likely to relax, share thoughts and also have some fun. The work that Groundwork is doing is invaluable and I hope people support the shed in Holbeck.”

The Leeds Shed has been running since September 2012 and now has 12 regular members. Encouraged to make things independently aswell as within a group, the men have completed projects for crafts fairs, created flower beds for Holbeck in Bloom, bird boxes for a local school and they are currently turning their hand to animal shaped blackboards for a local nursery. Where possible reclaimed or recycled wood is used and occasional items are sold to raise money for local causes or donated to local community projects.

The shed can be found on the ground floor of Barkston House on Croydon Street, Holbeck, LS11 9RT and is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 4pm. For those wanting to support the shed or attend, Will can be contacted at will.gore@groundwork.org.uk or 0113 238 0601

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Janie Readman .