Health by Stealth in Irish Men's Sheds

IT’S often said that ‘Men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder.’

And there is no better example of this than the success of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association in helping men to open up and confront their problems, while having fun.

John Evoy, the CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, says the sheds are places in the community where men who have time on their hands can come together, and use their skills, talents, energy and ideas to enrich their lives and also to contribute to their local communities.

“If we called it a men’s health centre, men wouldn’t come. If we called it a men’s education programme, men wouldn’t come. If we called it a men’s suicide prevention initiative, men wouldn’t come near it. But all of that happens here. It’s never forced, it simply happens when the men understand that the group is there for them, that we are available for them,” he says.

The concept originated in Australia and was designed to help older men living in rural areas find new friends and interests. Now there are 700 Australian Men’s Sheds.

The first Irish Men’s Shed was established in Tipperary town in August 2009, and there are currently 170 sheds across the country, with an average of 5,000 members.

Evoy came across the idea in 2005 when he was working in a local community development project in Wexford and noticed how hard it was to get men involved.

“I thought it was great, then I met up with Prof Barry Golding, who was giving lectures in Ireland about men’s learning and wellbeing and he invited me to Australia to see the Sheds. I immediately thought, ‘This needs to happen in Ireland,’ ’’ he says.

Walk into any Irish Shed and Evoy says you will find a group of men, who want “meaning and purpose’’ in their lives, are all friends and are participating in a range of activities.

“There could typically be some woodwork going on, men playing pool, playing cards, some lads fixing up an old car, some making fishing rods. Whatever takes their fancy,’’ he says.

“The creativity aspect is only a small part of why the Sheds are important. The idea is to get men into a safe space, where they can support each other and talk. There will be lots of stories, men offering advice, but in a casual environment, it can break down barriers. We call it health by stealth.’’

Although the Sheds are open to all ages, Evoy says the majority of the men are older, newly retired or haven’t worked for a number of months. Normally they meet at least once or twice a week, although some Sheds are open for five nights.

“Some Sheds are almost a replacement for a pub, they have the pool table, they have the activities and then they can drive home. Not every one has that disposable income anymore, so this is a cheaper way to meet up. It’s also healthier, and more supportive than the atmosphere in a pub.’’

Surprisingly, Evoy says that around a third of the weekly inquiries he receives requesting advice on setting up a Shed come from women, worried about their men.

“Mothers, sisters, daughters,’’ explains Evoy. “They know that there is not much out there for them. They are worried about their men becoming isolated and demoralised. They might have married them for better for worse, but don’t necessarily want to eat lunch with them every day. The men need a reason to get up, to feel good about themselves.’’

The plan for the future is to have at least 400 Sheds in Ireland, with 20,000 members by 2016. “It doesn’t matter if you are age 20 or 80, do something positive and participate, you will feel good about yourself and less isolated,’’ he adds.

www.menssheds.ie