Public Meeting: Men’s Shed Coming to Chandler’s Ford

Have you heard of a social group called Men’s Sheds?

I have met some lovely men from Men’s Sheds in local events before.

Men Shed is a social network for retired men (and surprisingly, for women too).

They are also called, endearingly, shedders (make sure you spell shedder correctly).

According to UK Men’s Sheds Association, a Men’s Shed is a larger version of the typical man’s shed in the garden – a place where a man feels at home and pursues practical interests with a high degree of autonomy.

Now there is a pubic meeting in Chandler’s Ford, to discuss forming a Men’s Shed in Chandler’s Ford, and to encourage people to get involved.

Men’s Shed public meeting in Chandler’s Ford

Friday 22nd July 2016 from 10am

Venue: The Hexagon, Suffolk Close, Chandler’s Ford SO53 3GZ

For more information, contact

Steve Dotterill
Senior Day Service Officer
The Hexagon
023 8026 0616
Email: steve.dotterill@hants.gov.uk

or email: brian.cooke@hotmail.co.uk

Steve Dotterill, Senior Day Service Officer at The Hexagon, told me that Men’s Sheds started in Australia in the 1990s, primarily as a way of encouraging a focus on men’s health and wellbeing by providing a place where men can come together to share interests and carry out tasks such as wood or metal working, or repairing machinery and general “tinkering”.

At a Men’s Shed, members share the tools and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue.

Why The Hexagon?

The Hexagon is a Hampshire County Council run day service in Suffolk Close, Chandler’s Ford (near Asda).

Here Steve Dotterill explains the Men’s Shed’s project with us.

Steve: “Since the building was refurbished in 2015, we have been gradually expanding our remit to be come more of a community centre. We have groups who use the building such as Slimming World, a Kick Boxing club and puppy training. ”

“Our workshop facilities are under used, particularly on a Friday which is when we are planning to run the Men’s Shed. We have facilities for wood working including a wide selection of power tools, and also areas that could be used for repair work and a tea and coffee area.”

Men’s Sheds bring health benefits

Steve: “As many men reach retirement age, they can find that the social networks they had at work are no longer sustained and this can have a detrimental effect on their emotional health. ”

“As a sweeping generalisation, men can be reluctant to talk about feelings and use words like “depression” but it has been shown that being in a workshop or shed environment, working together on a hands-on project or purposeful activity can have a positive effect on the health of participants. ”

Men’s Sheds for both men and women

Steve: “The motto of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association is, ‘Men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder’. Men’s Shed membership isn’t restricted by age or in fact gender-Eastleigh Shed has two women members.”

Here is a short video of Men’s Shed Steeple Antrim in County Antrim, Northern Ireland (with their anthem too).

Credit: Many thanks for Steve Dotterill and Brian Cooke for content. Hat tip: Hugh Benham.

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