Men's Shed question?
 

Do any of you here belong or go to a Men's Shed?

It's a charity that helps mainly men as mine says "Men’s Shed exists to provide a safe space for those who may be socially isolated or suffer mental health challenges to come together to find support, share skills and ideas, learn from each other and above all enjoy a chat over a mug of tea (or coffee!)"

Now it started just before Covid-19 hit and is now catching up with the things it has planned.

Now we are in the process of sorting out an induction for new members and a tool database with S/Ns etc.

Has anyone done this, and can you help advise us?


Here's a link to mine


https://hcshed.org.uk/

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

I can safely say I have never even heard of such a thing.

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

Good with it!

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

What a marvellous initiative- I wish you well.

I'd not heard of this before, but had heard of Andys man Club- are they similar?

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

I've heard of that.


But we have become known locally, and certain groups link MIND bring people to us, some return, some haven't.


The biggest issue is funding

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

I know there is one near me, have seen fliers for it, and they have a stall at local fetes at local parks etc.

I think it's in the grounds of a local church, but not affiliated with the church. This church is good like that, they do a lot for the community with never any pressure/guilt etc to try and force you to go on Sunday, like a Church should be :)

Anyway, I digress, good luck, it looks like a useful, worthwhile venture, can you not read out to other Shed groups, is there not a discussion group/forum just for them to bounce ideas etc?

Or have I not understood it right? is it not like a nationwide organisation with branches, is each one its own separate entity with similar ideology?

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

The shed I go to is independent and is a registered charity, it is linked to the shed network.

We have a huge selection of tools, we do build stuff, but sometimes we sit with a cuppa and talk about everything and nothing.

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

I've never heard of it but think it is a wonderful idea.


Us men are often the last to talk about or open up about things so this is a great idea.

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

You can right off any online support group to an extent. The best support you can get is your physical friends.

I'm going to be meeting with a friend who knows he is going to die from cancer. He knows it, I know it,do you think that is what all talk about? We got that out of the way the first time he told me and we are both of the same frame of mind.

Physical interaction is the better dying option than anything online. Makes me wonder about the future but I doubt I'll be here when social intercouse will only be an online thing.

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

I agree friends are very important, but some people may not have friends or find it difficult to make friends.
Sometimes talking to someone completly different who doesnt know you is more helpful.
I guess there are advantages to both.

Re: Men's Shed question?
 

There is no-one who doesn't have "a" friend, now that friendship is being moved to "online friends".

The youger generation are now looking for friendship online via social media sites, looking for relationships via dating sites etc.

Everything is shifting to online relationships.