Mens Sheds

[g7g7g7g7]

One of the responsibilities in a job I'm currently applying for is helping to establish a mens shed, now I'm all for helping isolated individuals but I can't help feeling that a mens shed isn't the way to fix that. Normally if I speak to a local man whose struggling to find stuff to do I'll push them towards volunteering on projects like galgael (a boat building and workshop thing that looks to increase employability) or wood recycling where they can socialise and teach younger folk and interact with people outside their own generation and gender.

As much as social isolation is a problem here locally, it's a much smaller problem (at least less visible and damaging) than youth unemployment, lack of engagement and poverty across the board I feel like community workshops that welcome everyone would be a much more efficient way to use resources, something that can be used as a base for metalworking, woodworking, pottery, crafts and engineering based clubs of all varieties. Maybe I'm missing something here but I feel like something as exclusive as serving only retired and pensioned men seems like it's not going to do a great deal for social exclusion, anyway I thought I'd ask what the forums thoughts are my position and try and get feedback.

 

[thetyreman]

One of the responsibilities in a job I'm currently applying for is helping to establish a mens shed, now I'm all for helping isolated individuals but I can't help feeling that a mens shed isn't the way to fix that. Normally if I speak to a local man whose struggling to find stuff to do I'll push them towards volunteering on projects like galgael (a boat building and workshop thing that looks to increase employability) or wood recycling where they can socialise and teach younger folk and interact with people outside their own generation and gender.

As much as social isolation is a problem here locally, it's a much smaller problem (at least less visible and damaging) than youth unemployment, lack of engagement and poverty across the board I feel like community workshops that welcome everyone would be a much more efficient way to use resources, something that can be used as a base for metalworking, woodworking, pottery, crafts and engineering based clubs of all varieties. Maybe I'm missing something here but I feel like something as exclusive as serving only retired and pensioned men seems like it's not going to do a great deal for social exclusion, anyway I thought I'd ask what the forums thoughts are my position and try and get feedback.

there are no community centres any more, and not much sense of culture, I think social media is destroying society and creating more isolation than ever before, why go and physically see somebody when they have already shown you everything on facebook? the root cause of social isolation is never talked about. In that sense men in sheds is definitely better than nothing, at least its a place where people get together, I'd rather have it there than not there. If you created a new group you always get the same problem of exclusivity to certain demographics, so then only younger people go to it, is that really a good thing?

 

[AES]

I'm not sure it's quite correct to say that the "social set up" that is the current norm (just about everywhere as far as I can see) is being "destroyed" by social media. The current "social norm" is certainly changing (or is it "being changed"?), and it seems that social media is playing a large part in that, but whether it is a symptom or a cause I'm far from sure, either way.

Slight off topic diversion, but relevant I hope - who would have thought that even, say, 20 years ago, a President of the USA would have been doing most of his communication by social media - even if the wherewithal had existed 20 years ago? And I think that MAYBE that is not just a reflection of the peculiar personality of that particular man himself. But as said, I'm digressing.

Back to the OP.

As to men in sheds, when I was first (medically forced to) retire, I really could have very well done with such an organisation if one had been near - it took me a LONG time to get my mental feet back down on to (a completely new) ground level. And I do believe that's far from just applicable to me.

But from what little I know, you're right, men's sheds do tend to cater for (only) retired men, which is a pity (but as I believe the whole movement started off in Australia, and from what I know of Australian blokes, perhaps that's hardly surprising )!

But as the previous already poster said, better that than nothing?

And I think the OP is also quite right, there are plenty of other "disconnected groups" in our society - unemployed, long-term unhealthy, disabled, teenagers, etc, etc.

But what I would ask the OP is, "If you accept the job and do NOT start a men's shed, what would you start up instead - that's designed to address the above shortcomings at least partially?".

And additionally, I THINK I'm right in saying that although each men's shed is set up i.a.w. basic guidelines (from "HO"), isn't it also a fact that each individual local men's shed can adjust their local "Bye Laws" to suit their local needs?"

If so, then why not set up a men's shed anyway, and then try and influence members right from the start so that females and people below retirement age (as examples) CAN also join in? Even if it's only at different times/days of the week or something to start off with?

Sorry, I'm rambling I think (red wine on the terrace is NOT conducive to constructive thought!), but hope there's a grain of help for you in there somewhere.

 

[finneyb]

I think we need both ie Mens Sheds and Community Projects, different ventures for different people.
Saw a Mens Shed associated with a hospice recently - seems like a good idea.

Brian

 

[Chris152]

Maybe one answer (based purely on my experience, not on any proper knowledge but on lots of sweeping generalisations) is that men can be bad at sharing their thoughts and feelings with other blokes. That kind of stuff has no place in most jobs which is where men traditionally have spent much of their lives. Women of older generations often stayed home and looked after the kids (still happens a lot, for good or bad), took them to school, spoke daily with other mums in the playground and stuff like that. And for women there aren't the same cultural barriers to expressing your feelings, which I think is still true today for younger people.

So if a bloke finds himself alone as he moves toward the end of his life, with no job and workplace camaraderie any more, he may not have the resources to meet, socialise and share feelings, fears (especially of the mortality and loneliness sort) with other men. Put him among young people to help them and it could well be great, but I'd say there's far more chance of him finding people he can open up to in his own age group and gender.

I often wander past a knitting shop here in town and look in at a circle of women who sit, knit, chat and drink coffee together. It looks wonderful (god knows what they're talking about, but my guess is that among their laughter they talk about their fears and wishes. Don't some call it 'stitch and bitch'?). A place for men to do the same would be a good thing I think. You sometimes see it happening on this site, which is also a brilliant thing.

 

[g7g7g7g7]

I think I'd rather see a community workshop that caters to everyone with specific clubs on different days that cater towards different demographics and crafts so I'd rather see a mens club as something that exists within a larger community organisation.

 

[AES]

Spot on Chris 152 (at least in my own case). Thanked already, but "thanks"!

@ g7g7g7g7. I "think" that's what I was suggesting - it may be called a "men's shed", but it would actually be open to locals from other "groups" (female, unemployed, teenagers, w.h.y.) albeit perhaps at other times.

A real off topic diversion: Is it really true that "community centres" have died in UK now? Pity if so. The last small-ish village I lived in in UK in the 1980s had a village hall, and AFAIK, just about every other village in the country did too.

Here too (Switzerland), the local "Mehrzweckhalle" (multi-purpose hall) plays a very important role in just about every village, including my own - gym, theatre, music studio, meeting place, mother & toddler group, etc, etc. Often associated with the local school, the "village council" makes a bit of money out of it too, by renting it out, cheaper to local clubs, etc, a bit more expensive to local businesses.

Pity if that's gone/going in UK. Any ideas why?

Good idea, and perhaps not suitable for things like a proper workshop (men's sheds, etc).

 

[sunnybob]

That used to be called a village hall.
But then the amdram will moan about the sawdust in the costume box, the knitting circle will moan about the cricket clubs sweaty gear, The woodworkers will want the same evening as the model engineers, The teenagers will want wi fi at gigabyte speeds, stupid loud speakers all over the place and tag grafiti on the walls, etc. etc. etc.
Nothing fits all.

Sort out one properly, then move to the next.

 

[AES]

Bob, I wrote " ..... had a village hall, .....".

And I don't remember such hassles in UK in the 1980's, (where I ran a kids' eromodelling club) nor have I seen such hassles here either (where one of the choirs I belong to practises in such a hall).

Perhaps us "Southerners" (and the Swiss?)re a little more "flexible/forgiving"?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

S
I often wander past a knitting shop here in town and look in at a circle of women who sit, knit, chat and drink coffee together. It looks wonderful (god knows what they're talking about, but my guess is that among their laughter they talk about their fears and wishes. Don't some call it 'stitch and bitch'?). A place for men to do the same would be a good thing I think. You sometimes see it happening on this site, which is also a brilliant thing.

Hone and moan? :lol:

 

[sunnybob]

my only experience of village halls is from the archers. There werent many in south london in the 60's :roll: :roll:
but my comment of do one thing well rather than 10 things badly still stands

 

[Chris152]

S
I often wander past a knitting shop here in town and look in at a circle of women who sit, knit, chat and drink coffee together. It looks wonderful (god knows what they're talking about, but my guess is that among their laughter they talk about their fears and wishes. Don't some call it 'stitch and bitch'?). A place for men to do the same would be a good thing I think. You sometimes see it happening on this site, which is also a brilliant thing.

Hone and moan? :lol:

:lol: That conjured an image of looking in a workshop window to see a group of men standing around a large bench, each sharpening their chisels using a different technique and debating the merits (and otherwise) of the others' methods. Very relaxing.

edit - in fact, if there are any play-writes among us, I reckon that could be a box office hit.

 

[DrPhill]

S
....... Don't some call it 'stitch and bitch'?.......

Hone and moan? :lol:

carp'n sharpen?

 

[powertools]

I will try and give you my perspective on this.
I retired at 63 and then set out on the biggest DIY project of my life. After the best part of 3 years working at home every day I reached the point when I felt that I needed to get away from the house a couple of days a week and men in sheds seemed like a good opportunity.
In truth I didn't stay for long it was a group of about 20 members half of whom were there because they wanted to be on a committee running what they considered to be some sort of charity and the rest of us were supposed to be there because we needed some sort of charity.
I don't know how this could happen but I think it would be great if groups could be set up where old blokes meet up with youngsters who are not forced to be there but want to learn basic skills and in return they could show us the basics of using modern tech that we don't understand.
I don't think all young people are bad but I think that many young people without accademic skills are badly let down and us older people which a wealth of experience could improve their lives and in the process improve our own.

 

[Sideways]

I've put in the paperwork to become a volunteer at our local men-in-sheds after attending for about a year.
I think it serves a valuable purpose and that Bob has hit the nail on the head - there's a shortage of opportunities for older men to socialise and the Sheds cater to that need. They do what they do and they don't try to be anything else.

Sheds cater to men with a basic interest in making stuff. Each shed develops it's own personality based on the interests and abilities of individuals who attend. There's a basic focus (in our case) around some mix of woodwork / metalwork / craft activities. We don't try to be a computer, or photography club, or a place to play cards. Those exist elsewhere. We do (oddly) have a model railway layout as a few of the original members were interested.

A key concept behind M-I-S is the principle that (older) blokes gradually come around to talking to each other about personal stuff as they work alongside each other. There are conversations that are needed at different ages of life and men are unlikely to have these conversations with strangers, women or youngsters who don't yet have the life experience to understand. This is a fundamental part of the Shed's concept and if you try to cater to a wider public, you compromise the offering to the people it was set up for.

What I would say is that a Shed isn't quite as restricted as you may think. It's open to anyone over age 50 or 55 (I forget), we do have some younger guys who are retired through injury or ill health, people with disabilities and a number of vulnerable adults who attend regularly with their carers.

I'd strongly encourage you to go visit a shed or three. Say what you're about and talk to people. Make up your own mind.
I wholeheartedly agree that we need more mixing between the generations, more opportunities for older people to pass on their skills, and it would be great if there were "maker spaces" (isn't that the new buzzword !) accesible to all in every town, but the shed meets a specific need that isn't any of those.

I think you're doing exactly the right thing by researching what your potential employer is asking of you. You need to buy in or persuade them to change the scope BEFORE you sign up, as once you take the job, they have every right to expect you to deliver what you signed up to. I hope the sheds persuade you

 

[g7g7g7g7]

It's good to hear a variety of opinions on the topic and I think I've gotten a few different perspectives on the efficacy of mens sheds and the necessity for a tailored solution and a bit of understanding about the reason for it. I don't think the position I'm applying for would have the capacity or seniority to make calls on how the thing turns out I think I've been looking at it too much like a workshop and not enough like a social programme with specific needs.

 

[Sideways]

When I first went along, there was a big element of finding out if there was a bigger / better equipped workshop that I could access. These days I go to chat over a cuppa, help out by fixing machines and generally try to improve the facilities. I get very little time on my own projects but I know a lot more folk from my village than I used to

 

[thetyreman]

grind and unwind...

polish and abolish (the burr) :lol:

 

[Fergal]

I'm involved in setting up a Community Shed in Bristol. We've deliberately avoided labelling it as a Men's Shed so that we can try and attract members of all ages and genders to do whatever activities they would like. We have no lower age limit but the only members we've got so far are all men, mostly retired.

We've tried to keep the space we have as multi-purpose as possible so that it doesn't look like a workshop, but we have been donated a few large power tools and it has inevitably ended up that way. Most of the members want to do practical things and everybody is helping with the refurbishment of the building, but that in itself may put off potential female members who just want to use the facilities.

We want the shed to be somewhere that men can come to tinker with things or just for some company, but that seems to be at odds with attracting a more general membership. How do we strike a balance between a Men's Shed and a more general purpose community space?

 

[Bale]

... I feel like community workshops that welcome everyone would be a much more efficient way to use resources, something that can be used as a base for metalworking, woodworking, pottery, crafts and engineering based clubs of all varieties. Maybe I'm missing something here but I feel like something as exclusive as serving only retired and pensioned men seems like it's not going to do a great deal for social exclusion, anyway I thought I'd ask what the forums thoughts are my position and try and get feedback.

Men's sheds are for retired blokes. That's what they were set up for, and I expect their facilities and activities will reflect the interests of their members/users. Practical younger (and non-male) people have broader and different interests and there is a growing number of community workshops available for them. They usually go under the names of hackerspaces, makerspaces, fablabs or something similar.

If the OP is applying for a job which involves setting up a men's shed, it might not be the best tactic to tell his prospective employers that he would rather set up something else. Perhaps arguing the case after he's got the job might be the way to go.

Pete