Men in Sheds - tackling social isolation

Aim

We're a project that desperately needs your help to support older men suffering from depression, health problems and social isolation.

The Men in Sheds Project Aim

Men in Sheds is a project that uses carpentry skills, carving and whittling to tackle social isolation in older men. Typically men find it harder than women to socialise and reintegrate in to their community after bereavement or a life trauma. The idea is to give socially isolated men something constructive to do and also promote 'shoulder to shoulder' communication.

About the Project

Many people come here because if they didn’t, they might not see another person all week. Some people need a distraction from worries in their lives and others have a lot of spare time on their hands and want to feel useful.

Men in Sheds is a fully-equipped wood workshop for older men in Leeds. They can drop in to use the facilities completely free of charge, whether they’re experienced, want to brush up on their skills, or are completely new to woodwork.

To the men, the Shed is more than just a workshop, it’s a space to socialise, share skills and knowledge, or just have a cup of tea and a biscuit. 

If you’ve got nothing to do then over time your health slips and this leads to a shorter lifespan. We try to make sure the Shed feels welcoming, friendly and relaxed. Whilst this may not quite be counselling, there’s a lot to be said to shoulder to shoulder support - someone to have a cup of tea with or have a bit of banter.

We’re crowdfunding because we currently can’t open all week. We’d love to be able to help more men who are suffering from social isolation to meet new friends, share their skills and learn something new.

We’re asking for £10,000. This money would enable us to open the shed 5 days a week, provide tools and materials for the men to use and pay our staff to allow us to keep being able to offer this to the men for free. We’ve got some fantastic things to give away as thank you’s for pledging, many of which have been made in this Shed!

Men in Sheds is run by the charity Groundwork Leeds which is an environmental charity that supports local communities. Changing people, changing lives.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 5th May 2015