‘Men can be rubbish about talking over their feelings...
IT’S EARLY afternoon on a cold, wet and rainy March day but the atmosphere in the St Peter’s-based vinery packing shed is far from bleak. The disused building may be a draughty space but very soon it promises to be a community hub for men who may be lacking friends or a focus.
‘Most men enjoy having a shed as an escape and our new project is going to offer that to anyone who may lack one at present. It’s also going to be a social space for any man who may feel the need to meet with other like-minded men, while carrying out practical projects,’ said Mark Smith, chairman of Men’s Shed.
He is one of several volunteers who are making the shed into an inviting space. Mark’s connections with MUG, which has got men comfortable talking about their physical health, enabled MUG to get involved with the Men’s Shed project and help break the taboo of men talking about their mental health.
Says Mark: ‘The Men’s Shed is a traditional vinery packing shed that we’re bringing back to health. Once finished, the shed will provide any man in Guernsey a space to go and work on any project in a welcoming and well-equipped workshop.’
Shed activities might involve making or mending in woodwork, metalwork, growing, bike repair, electronics, tool renovation, boat building, and model engineering and maintenance. As long as it’s legal and we can fit it in, then it’s OK.’
The initiative grew from the Thrive 2016 talks organised by the Dandelion Project and Mark, together with Bella Farrell and Marcel Le Normand, have been pivotal in getting things off the ground.
‘Someone spoke about the Men’s Shed project and a few of us thought what a great idea it would be to replicate this in Guernsey.
Men’s Shed is all about providing a space for men to come to if they are feeling isolated or if they simply need a space to share friendships and conversations. We hope to eventually have a kitchen and toilets and encourage people to join in our projects or perhaps bring their own along to work on.’
The campaign message states that ‘Men’s sheds encourage men to socialise, make and do things together to enhance their sense of purpose and wellbeing’ and plans are well on the way to making the first shed a reality.
‘We know how hard it is for men to open up and talk about their physical health, let alone any mental health issues they may be experiencing. We are not saying that everyone who comes to the shed will have problems, but we do want to encourage people to be open and talk about anything that may be bothering them. Or they may simply just come to enjoy the social interaction.’
At present there are only plans for one shed but Mark admits the vision is for a shed to be available in all areas of the island – the North, East, and South and on the islands of Herm, Sark and Alderney.
‘We were so lucky that we were offered this disused packing shed for the next 20 years. The ethos will be to get men here to do ‘men things’ as they would if the shed were at the bottom of their own gardens. A shed is historically a place where you can go to escape the pressures of family or working life, have some free time, but in our shed you will not be isolated. Some men don’t have the luxury of their own ‘Man Shed’ so we aim to provide one for them.
‘Some men can feel isolated, they might lack a social circle or perhaps through retirement have lost their sense of purpose and a circle of work colleagues and are simply twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do and nobody to talk to. A community shed helps give that important focus back.’
Men’s Shed will be offering a wide range of activities to do and will be driven by demand.
‘The truth is that men are rubbish about talking about the things that are going on in their heads. They often avoid talking about feelings or about any mental health problems they may be experiencing. They might go to the pub and have some banter there but generally it will be of the ‘just cheer up’ variety. Unlike women they won’t dig deeper over a beer. While we are not going to drive these conversations we are providing a space for them to happen if men feel they can over a drill or a lathe.’
Mark is hoping to attract men with a wide variety of practical and technical skills.
‘We want to put the invitation out there to come up and join us, have a mug of tea and a bacon roll, maybe share a problem if they feel able, or to simply have a natter. Anyone is welcome, all you have to do is turn up.’
u For more information about Men’s Shed email info@ sheds.gg.
