Men’s Sheds
The Louth Community Men’s Shed’s project is designed to help connect men with their community. It recognises and responds to gender differences in behaviour as well as the need to support men to improve their own wellbeing and levels of social interaction. The project values the lifetime of skills and experience built up by older men and facilitates the transfer of their skills and experiences to the wider community across the northeast through practical hands-on activities in gendered spaces.
The project is very simple and has one criteria, men. The ‘shed’ environment encourages men to share skills and learn new ones for example, skills in wood turning, mechanical work and horticulture, to name but a few. Socialising is a large part of the project too, providing opportunities for the development of new friendships as well as the renewal of old ones.
For more information on Mens sheds and to find a local one near you please visit www.menssheds.ie
The Louth Men’s Sheds project started by the Netwell Centre and Louth County Council targets men at risk of isolation or experiencing major life changes. The project is very simple and has one criteria, men. The ‘shed’ environment encourages men to share skills and learn new ones for example, skills in wood turning, mechanical work and horticulture, to name but a few. Socialising is a large part of the project too, providing opportunities for the development of new friendships as well as the renewal of old ones.
Irish Examiner Excerpt
Eva Beirne, the project coordinator said:
The primary focus of the project is on older men but younger men will play an important role too. Younger men can support the development of projects in the sheds and they can learn and share in the wisdom and experience of older men. There is very strong evidence pointing to the vulnerability of older men to isolation and loneliness as they age and experience difficulties adjusting to changes in role identity associated with retirement (farmers retiring, in particular may find this transition difficult), as well as to changes in social networks, especially widowhood. We also know that increasing people’s social interaction can have a positive impact on well-being and mental health. We will be opening three Men’s Sheds is County Louth over the coming year. These will provide opportunities for men to get involved in a range of activities which will increase their participation in the live of their community. Ultimately this can only be a positive thing not just for improving the quality of life of older men in County Louth but also for our society and the social connectedness of our community.