How it all started

The successful Aussie community Sheds model migrated to UK more than a decade ago.

In early 2016 the first Men’s Shed in North Yorkshire was established in a Moors rural valley followed by 3 more spread along the Whitby coast. Since 2016 many “Shedders” have been helped, and significantly have helped each other.

Australian Sheds were predominantly men only but we believe that Shed life can also meet the social needs of some women.

Sheds are local good news stories of bringing people together with the common purpose to build (the ethos of) a Shed.

Why are Sheds needed?

For a long time research has shown the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on a person’s health and wellbeing. Recently we have seen more evidence come to light that shows loneliness and isolation can be as hazardous to our health as obesity and excessive smoking. Surveys from mental health charities are finding that millions of people report feeling lonely on a daily basis.

Men typically find it more difficult to build social connections than women, and unlike women of a similar age, less older men have networks of friends and rarely share personal concerns about health and personal worries. It is not the case for all men, but for some, when retirement comes, it can feel like personal identity and purpose is lost. Men’s Sheds can change all of that.

Sheds are about meeting like-minded people and having someone to share your worries with. They are about having fun, sharing skills and knowledge with like-minded people and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. As a by-product of all of that they reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow men to deal with mental health challenges more easily and remain independent, they rebuild communities and in many cases, they save men’s lives.

Men’s Sheds are vital.