Sheds for Life Awards bring Men’s Health to the Fore
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) Celebrated five years of their flagship Sheds for Life Health & Wellbeing programme with an Awards ceremony in the Sliabh Russell Hotel in Cavan on Wednesday. Sheds from Cavan and Monaghan who have just completed the ten-week programme were joined by shedders and volunteers from around the country and officials from the Department of Health and the HSE. The Sheds for Life Awards, or “Sheddies” as they are fondly known, recognise the contribution made by shedders in taking part, but also in sharing the design and form of the programme.
Shedders from Monaghan Men’s Shed at the Sheds for Life Awards in Sliabh Russell
Sheds for Life has now been completed by sheds in every county in the Republic. Sheds for Life is a tailored 10 week Health and Well Being programme brought to Sheds nationwide and designed in collaboration with Men in Sheds. The aim of Sheds for Life is to facilitate ways for men to enhance their wellbeing by building upon the strengths of the Shed and using the wealth of knowledge and experience that exists in its members. Sheds for Life is delivered in an informal and enjoyable way that aligns with the environment and ethos of the Sheds. It is developed with the Shed members and Sheds in mind and encourages Shedders to be active participants in its delivery and design. The programme is made up of core elements, health checks, wellbeing, nutrition and exercise, with additional components as diverse as Mouth Health, Water Safety and Dementia Awareness to mention a few.
Currently the Irish Men’s Sheds Association supports over 480 Sheds with an estimated 10,000 ‘Shedders’ a week coming in and out of Sheds. Largely Men in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s our audience cohort are Men who grew up with a particular social, cultural conditioning and historical background. Their relationship with the Health system, their personal Health and with themselves is interlinked but highly complex. We find that the unique environment of Sheds allows for Men to come together and for informal ‘Health by Stealth’ interventions to take place. When a Man feels he is not alone, is respected and not judged, he is much more likely to open up and share – Men talk in Sheds in ways they do not talk outside Sheds. ‘Connection’ is at the heart of every Shed and this crucial connection role has made Ireland’s Sheds world leaders with the country now boasting the highest number of Sheds per capita worldwide.
Rebecca McLaughlin, Health and Wellbeing lead for the IMSA said “Today is also the 5th Anniversary of the Sheds for Life programme. This current programme marks 5 years of bringing Sheds for Life to every county in Ireland which includes 146 Sheds, nearly 2000 Men and has included nearly 1400 Heart Health Checks and hundreds of workshops on Health & Well Being topics ranging from Cancer to Diabetes to Grief and Loss. As Shedders, men can contribute to their communities on an ongoing basis, experience life-long learning opportunities and foster a sense of agency and change as they age. We recognise that Renewal, Growth and Change is possible at all ages. We know also that communities are better for a Shed being present – playing a crucial part of the social ‘glue’ connecting older Shedders with community groups, schools, Nursing Homes and environmental projects.”
Men’s Sheds are welcoming, inclusive spaces and IMSA want every Man to feel there is a place for them in a Shed in their local community. Attending a Shed can be hugely beneficial for a Man’s Health & Well Being as an ‘antidote’ to isolation, in combating loneliness and in negotiating life transitions and key changes like retirement/illness/loss and bereavement. Far too frequently IMSA are told by Men ‘I wouldn’t be here but for the Shed’ or ‘The Shed saved my life’. We frequently reflect ‘Imagine a society without Sheds’? or ‘How different would Older Men’s experiences be in terms of their Health & Well Being if they didn’t have the Shed’?
