Men’s Sheds are more than just a place to potter about
AN AUSTRALIAN idea to occupy socially isolated non-working men is ready to take off in Campbeltown.
There are more than 70 Men’s Sheds in Scotland, with other areas of Argyll and Bute already well advanced. Tonight at 5.30pm in the TSI, 22 Longrow offices, Ian McVicar will host a meeting about setting up a shed at Castlehill’s former post office.
No shed is typical but at many there is a chance to make items, typically using and learning woodwork skills, or perhaps just mixing with other men.
Mr McVicar said: ‘Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (ABTSI), with support from Age Scotland, is now supporting Sheds in Dunoon, Oban, Helensburgh and Tarbert and, hopefully, Campbeltown.
‘The emergence of sheds in Argyll is welcome in the fight against social isolation and loneliness among men.’
Fort William has had a Men’s Shed for six months. It attracts at least 50 guys each session and more than 35 attend the shed in Dunoon set up eight weeks ago.
A number of shed users, from across Argyll and Bute, have agreed to be quoted speaking about their experiences.
Christopher Fraser said: ‘Through 2015, work got quieter and quieter for me until, in the first half of 2016, I didn’t leave the house once for work.
‘Thankfully for me, I found the Men’s Shed. I like to think it found me, and I was able to pour my time and effort into helping out getting my local shed established.
‘The shed has given me an opportunity to put my professional experience into practice and keep my hand in with engineering, workshop management and health and safety issues.
‘The more time I spent at the shed, the less I worried about the lack of work and the associated financial implications.
‘It’s not just meeting other shed members, but local businesses, councillors and charity workers regularly make contact with the shed and it’s an easy way to make ties in the community.
‘I really would recommend any man, young or old and regardless of their background, to go to a shed and give it a try to see what they can give to the shed and what the shed can give them.’
Derek Morton, 29, said: ‘Before I started going to the Men’s Shed, I was in a very low place and struggling to come to terms with my diagnosis of high functioning autism.
‘I have difficulties also in leaving the house due to anxiety and depression.
‘I was told about it by a mental health worker and after a lot of toing and froing, I finally plucked up the courage to go and see what it was about.
‘The healthy banter and sharing of skills is such a good thing and taught me a lot, it opened my eyes to a whole world of new opportunities with work and in my personal life.’