The Village Voice Oct Nov 2018

WHY WE NEED A ‘MEN’S SHED’
At the County Council, I am a member of the
select committee that looks at Public Health
and we recently received a presentation
about ‘Men’s Sheds'. I have to say that at
first I was rather puzzled about the general
idea, but the more I learned about it the
more it occurred to me that a Men’s Shed
would be incredibly valuable in the area.
Hence the beginning of a local project which
I hope will be a success. So, what does a
messy old shed full of workshop tools have
to do with men’s health?
The health of men, particularly that of single
men, or those who may have lost loved ones
and find themselves alone in later life, has
been identified as a huge concern in
communities all over the country. Not only
the physical health of men but also their
mental health. Isolation and lack of contact
with the outside world is one of the biggest
causes of depression, and particularly so in
men of all ages. That is not to say that
women do not suffer from loneliness. But
women often find it easier to initiate going
out for a coffee with friends or to join clubs
such as the WI, Zumba or even Weight
Watchers, where they can chat and have fun
together. It has been found that many men
find socialising much harder.
A Men’s Shed is one way that men can find
friendship and camaraderie amongst other
like-minded people. Men working together
on projects, learning new skills, sharing
ideas and successes, helps general wellbeing
and encourages a more active and fulfilling
lifestyle. Sheds also offer a place to put the
world to rights, to laugh and relax with
other people.
There is a national Men’s Shed Association
(menssheds.org.uk) and there are now close
to 40 Men’s Sheds in Hampshire alone, all
run by the Shedders who use them. If you
would like to become part of the ‘Men’s
Shed brigade’ in this area, and help to get a
new Shed started, please get in touch with
me (contact details below).
If, however, you are reading this before
Thursday 20 th September, there is a public
meeting about the project at New Milton
Memorial Centre, Whitefield Road, on that
evening (20 th ) at 7pm where we will have
speakers from existing Men’s Sheds. Do
come along and find out more. (NB:
Women also welcome - if you enjoy a bit of
DIY!)
Cllr Fran Carpenter
Hampshire County Councillor for
Milford On Sea
01425 614665 / 07867 502624
fran.carpenter@newforest.gov.uk
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