Men’ s sheds have become central to communities throughout Wick low
AS A native of Blessington, I’m particularly delighted to see men’s sheds feature so prominently in the Wicklow People. Men’s sheds have become central to communities throughout Wicklow over the past number of years, and the entire county is reaping the benefits.
As the Irish Men’s Sheds Association Health & Wellbeing Coordinator, one of my tasks is to oversee the rollout of Sheds for Life.
Sheds for Life is an exciting new dedicated male health initiative from the Irish Men’s Sheds Association. Its key aim is to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of men’s shed members. When it comes to promoting wellbeing among men the culturally safe environment offered by men’s sheds is conducive to learning and sharing information, including health information.
Sheds for Life aims to work within this health enhancing, supportive environment of the shed by collaborating with local and national organisations to give men’s sheds members the choice to participate in health promoting programmes and receive, as well as advice and signposting.
In recent years there has been a growing focus on the issue of men’s health – both physical and mental – in Ireland. Men continue to be at greater risk of a range of diseases and conditions than women, and their life expectancy remains notably shorter – by as much as five years. International research suggests that compared with women, men have limited contact with GPs, are reluctant users of primary-care services and often present late in the course of an illness.
This reluctance contributes to increased incidences of heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, accidents, drug/alcohol abuse and suicide amongst men. However working with men’s strengths through male-friendly initiatives and environments like Sheds for Life and the Men’s Sheds can support shedders in identifying ways to reduce their risk of ill health.
There is a simple message behind the Sheds for Life initiative that highlights that better health really does start here in the men’s sheds in Wicklow and right throughout the country. The initiative places an emphasis on the importance of keeping our shedders fit and healthy so that they can continue to contribute positively to their local sheds, families and wider community. When we talk about the positive outcomes for men who participate in sheds on their health, happiness and wellbeing we can also see the impact at a broader level via their partners and families.
For Wicklow sheds participating in Sheds for Life, it will bring opportu- nities to avail of programmes, advice and support from partner organisations working in collaboration with the IMSA; back in April, the Irish Heart Foundation brought its Mobile Health Unit to our Wicklow meeting in Blessington Men’s Sheds, offering free blood-pressure checks to members in attendance.
Our partnerships also make available walking programmes and training through Get Ireland Walking, advice and support from the National Screening Service (NSS) directly to the sheds on the importance of participation in their free Bowel Screen and Diabetic Retina Screen, and See Change’s mental health stigma-reduction ‘Green Ribbon’ campaign.
Be sure to keep an eye on www. menssheds.ie for information on our forthcoming Spanner in the Works men’s health website, due to be launched in July at www.malehealth.ie.