The Cowes Men’s Shed
We are members of the UKMSA (UK Men’s Sheds Association) and our shed has the longest opening hours of any ‘Sheds’ on the Isle of Wight; Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm. We give free membership to everyone aged 18+, so that no one in our community is excluded; despite the name, ladies also are most welcome.
We conservatively estimate at least 50 people (mostly aged over 60) as a total member figure by the end of 2019. Currently we see up to seven people attending our shed at one time, up to 15 if we hold an event.
The Shed opened on 14 May 2018; this Community project has a carpentry workshop, which is now very well equipped, exterior horticulture area with raised beds and two polytunnels, both being used for horticulture. Already we have received kind donations of items such as chop saw, pillar drill, table router and lathe etc. for the carpentry workshop and some shrubs and plants for the horticulture areas from our new members.
Men is Sheds is a great concept and there is a national organisation which can offer us support in making Cowes into the best shed ever! The negative impact of loneliness and isolation on a person’s health and wellbeing is well documented and evidence has found it is hazardous to health. Surveys from Mental Health Charities found millions of people feel lonely on a daily basis. Men typically find it more difficult to build social connections and rarely share personal concerns or worries. Sheds are about meeting likeminded people and possibly having someone to share your worries with too. Men are more likely to talk about their troubles when working shoulder to shoulder with other men.
Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds – 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 solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter. Sheds are whatever the members (or Shedders as they are called) want them to be. Whatever the activity, the essence of a Shed is not a building, but the connections and relationships between its members.
Sheds can also mean having fun again, sharing skills and knowledge, gaining renewed sense of purpose (often lost when people retire) and belonging. Typical activities in sheds vary greatly, but at Storeroom we can offer carpentry and horticulture activities all year round. People can try out new activities or rediscover old hobbies, utilise their skills and share learning, enjoy some company and maybe become more active too. There is free parking locally and the Cowes Park and Ride Bus Stop is just two minutes walk along the road; so easy access for everyone.
Some quotes from Men in Shed’s beneficiaries ‘Good to get out regularly for social interactions’ ‘It makes me feel useful again’ ‘Getting out meeting new people learning new skills’ ‘Gives me a reason to get up in the morning’ ‘Love it! Great company and fun’ ‘It gives me a place to go and it helps my mental health. Someone to chat to where I never see anyone where I live. Have a goal in life’ ‘Something to get up for in the morning’ ‘My family are pleased I have found another niche’ ‘I hope the project goes from strength to strength as it will help so many lonely people like myself. Loneliness is an illness’.
1 Mariners Way, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 8PD Tel: 01983 298679 Email: nicksstoreroom@yahoo.co.uk Web: storeroom.org.uk Registered Charity 1142010 Registered Company 7488966 Patron: Fred Dinenage MBE
Predominantly, the project will address the issues of isolation and loneliness. It will help people from succumbing to boredom or depression through lack of social interaction. For those who are unemployed it will help with confidence and social skills. There are over 800,000 chronically lonely people in the country and their situation impacts on their health. Nationally the ageing percentage of our population of over 65 years of age is growing and with this growth are health and depression issues from retirees who feel they have lost their personal identity and purpose. 37,886 (27.1%) of people on the Isle of Wight are older than 65. This is the 15th highest level of any local authority in England and Wales.
The Shed project’s objective is to provide a comfortable, safe place where people in need of company to combat feelings of isolation and depression can meet, socialise, practice hobbies etc. They can enjoy the company of others, talk, hobby, make things and drink tea together! ‘Shedders’ are often retired, but anyone aged 18+ is welcomed. Unemployed people may find they gain confidence and social skills which will help in their search for paid work. Retired people have a wealth of knowledge they can pass onto the younger generation and help them in many ways.
Our Shed project is an innovative response to the issue, as other Men in Sheds projects on the island are not really fulfilling the original concept of being there for people when they need company and something they can do to pass the time. This is why we are opening for 25 hours a week, 50 weeks a year and welcome members under the age of 50. We envisage people being able to dabble in carpentry and horticulture projects as they wish. Shedders participating may wish to help upcycle, repair furniture or complete horticultural projects where items could be sold for Storeroom charity, but this is not compulsory, although one member is already making bird boxes and garden trugs for us to sell to support the Shed; all out of wood scraps and bits of old pallets.
We believe Storeroom’s Cowes Men’s Shed will be popular and provide companionship and company for not only people of all ages over 18, but especially to retired people who suffer from loneliness and isolation. Currently 27% of the national population are senior citizens, the client target group we are advertising to attract.
Over the next ten years, it is expected that the number of 65 to 79-year-olds will increase by nearly 17%, while the over 85s will increase by 40%.
Many of this group are lonely or bored, some are suffering with a mental health condition which could be helped a little by getting out and meeting people. The UKMSA, believe older people, especially men, can benefit from the company, conversation, creativity and connections that a Shed environment can provide. They say that Sheds are playing a particularly important part in meeting the needs of older people – particularly older men, who often feel that traditional services targeted at older people are not right for them. The creative, productive nature of Sheds provides an activity around which people can form bonds and networks, which go on to benefit them outside of the Shed itself.
Please do call me or our project leader Adam, if you would like any further information about our work, or if you, a friend or relative wishes to visit The Cowes Men’s Shed; telephone during our opening hours on 01983 209734.
Nick Miller Manager / CEO Storeroom2010
