{"id":11646,"date":"2022-10-18T16:21:28","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T15:21:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wood-finishes-direct.com\/blog\/?p=11646"},"modified":"2024-03-13T11:53:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T11:53:39","slug":"supporting-uk-mens-sheds-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wood-finishes-direct.com\/blog\/supporting-uk-mens-sheds-association\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting UK Men\u2019s Sheds Association"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been wanting to do more to help and support our local community by getting more involved with the projects happening locally and nationally. Part of this process is getting more involved with the Men’s Shed Association.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Members from the UK Men’s Sheds Association<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, who are the UK Men\u2019s Sheds Association (UKMSA)? They are the support body for Men\u2019s Sheds across the UK. They work hard to inspire and support the development of as many Men\u2019s Sheds as possible, for the benefit of men\u2019s health and well-being.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are a member organisation, representing UK-based Men. They raise awareness of the Men\u2019s Sheds movement and the many benefits of \u2018Shedding\u2019, they also support Men\u2019s Sheds by getting them off the ground and thriving as community-driven, member-led entities. You can find out more information from them by clicking \n\nhere.<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their mission is to enable access to a Men\u2019s Shed for every man and woman that would benefit from one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Men\u2019s Shed? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is a shed? Well, a small wooden building at the end of your garden. But Men\u2019s Sheds aren’t far off garden sheds, just bigger! It’s a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often isolated in nature while Men\u2019s Sheds are the opposite. They are about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UKMSA isn’t just for men<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheds are whatever the Shedders (what the members are referred to) want them to be. Although labelled sheds, they often are not sheds at all. They can be empty offices, portable cabins, warehouses, garages and in at least one case, a disused mortuary. Some Sheds are purpose-built workshops, but they rarely start out that way.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many don\u2019t have premises at all in the beginning and instead form a group that meets regularly for social connection, company, and camaraderie until they can find somewhere to kit out with tools. Many Sheds get involved in community projects too, such as restoring village features, helping maintain parks and green spaces and building things for schools, libraries and individuals in need.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UKMSA Shedder cutting out a stencil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Activities in Sheds vary, but you can usually find woodworking, metalworking, repairing and restoring, electronics, model buildings or even car building in a typical Shed. They typically attract older men, but many have younger members and women too. Whatever the activity, the essence of a Shed is not a building, but the connections and relationships between its members.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

History <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UKMSA was originally founded in 2013 in response to the need for a central body to represent and raise awareness of a small but growing number of Men\u2019s Sheds \u2013 back then there were just 30 Men\u2019s Sheds in the UK.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015 they became a registered charity with a view to providing more formal support to the Men\u2019s Shed movement. Fast forward to today and there are over 600 Men\u2019s Sheds open. That\u2019s around 13,000 Shedders benefiting from regular social interactions, new skills and regular, active participation in activities they enjoy. The growth rate of Men\u2019s Sheds is between 6-9 per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Two Shedders doing garden work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why are Men\u2019s Sheds important?  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a long time, research has shown the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on a person\u2019s health and well-being. Recently we have seen more evidence come to light that shows loneliness and isolation can be just as hazardous to our health as obesity and excessive smoking. Surveys from mental health charities are finding that millions of people report feeling lonely daily.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men typically find it more difficult to build social connections than women and older men have generally have a smaller network 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 their personal identity and purpose is lost. Men\u2019s Sheds can change all of that.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The repair shed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s lives.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men\u2019s Sheds are kitted-out community spaces where people can enjoy practical hobbies. They are about making friends, learning, and sharing skills. Many Shedders come just for the tea and banter- everyone is welcome! Due to the pandemic, many Sheds now have an online option to stay connected. If you are interested in joining a shed, please click \n\nhere.<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do some DIY or just have a cup of tea and a chat at UKMSA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, if you or a group of friends are interested in starting your own group click \n\nhere<\/a> and the UKMSA will be able to help you get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the reason why we at Wood Finishes Direct want to work with UKMSA to help improve people\u2019s Mental Health. We are sure you will agree that this is a great charity and we love working with UKMSA by providing free products to enable these talented people to produce wonderful results.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last few months, we have worked closely with some local sheds and schools, take a look at our stories below.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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