Roles reversed!
Roles reversed!
Irish Men’s Sheds Association finds New Learning from Young Social Innovators
By David Maher
6,000 Young Social Innovators (YSI) have sparked new learning at the Irish Men’s Sheds Association. At the YSI Showcase 2014 held at Citywest Dublin I had the pleasure and honour to represent Irish Men’s Shed Association (IMSA) at the World of a Difference stand. The energy and enthusiasm at the Showcase was extraordinary,
I had some fantastic conversations with as many of the 6,000 young people there I could. Their feedback has been invaluable and has offered IMSA a totally new way of connecting
e, it’s now time I helped him! I know he would love the activities down at a Shed and I can’t wait to tell him all about it.” Another student said, “That’s for my Brother he has so much to offer and it would be a really healthy place for him to go to.” I let the students know what the Men’s Sheds is all about “Men don’t talk face to face; they talk shoulder to shoulder” and by working together on projects or just coming in for a chat is what it is all about.
The friendships established can be quite unexpected and it really is a great place to go. As a result of the Showcase IMSA will be connecting with young people so that they can bring the message of Men’s Sheds to people important in their lives. Thanks to all the Young Social Innovators for the new learning experience and thanks to Vodafone Ireland Foundation for the opportunity of being part of it all. Who would have thought of it, teenagers telling their Dads and relations what’s good for them!! #worldofdifferencewith new members. It really was apparent that these young people had a natural instinct in identifying new members for Men’s Sheds. Many of them identified their Dads and family members as potentially benefiting from the Men’s Sheds. One student said to me, “my Dad has guided me and he has been a great supporter and advisor to me, it’s now time I helped him! I know he would love the activities down at a Shed and I can’t wait to tell him all about it.” Another student said, “That’s for my Brother he has so much to offer and it would be a really healthy place for him to go to.” I let the students know what the Men’s Sheds is all about “Men don’t talk face to face; they talk shoulder to shoulder” and by working together on projects or just coming in for a chat is what it is all about. The friendships established can be quite unexpected and it really is a great place to go. As a result of the Showcase IMSA will be connecting with young people so that they can bring the message of Men’s Sheds to people important in their lives. Thanks to all the Young Social Innovators for the new learning experience and thanks to Vodafone Ireland Foundation for the opportunity of being part of it all. Who would have thought of it, teenagers telling their Dads and relations what’s good for them!! #worldofdifference
