Men's Shed Movement
What is it: A network of DIY-enthusiast communities that bring men (and now women) together to fix things, collaborate on projects, and share stories.
What you need to know: The men’s shed movement began life in Australia in the 1990s as a way to give older men a social hub. Working shoulder to shoulder (rather than face to face) offered participants a chance to share skills, learn techniques, and make friends. The men’s shed movement has since spread across the world; there are now 2000 sheds across 12 countries, including Finland, Ireland, the USA, and the UK, where there are more than 600 nationwide.
What they offer (online and off): Depending on the particular shed, there could be tools for woodworking, electricals, and metalwork, while members frequently pass on their own skills — coding, welding, machine tools, or car repair. Although most sheds are run by and for older men, there’s no barrier to entry; many sheds feature both female members and younger men. If there’s no shed in your area, British shedder Chris Lee has a TEDx talk on YouTube that’s a useful introduction to what sheds mean to him and how they’ve helped him. And if you’re inspired, get some tips from the guys who’ve “made one earlier” and start your own shed!
Why we think it matters: While individual sheds offer a creative, communal, and inclusive environment, the growth in the men’s shed movement illustrates the deep need for male companionship.
After major life changes such as retirement or the death of a partner, some men can become isolated. Often the loss of status or purpose can impact men’s mental health, as they keep their anxieties to themselves without finding outlets to talk about their feelings or their challenges. “As men we seem to be conditioned into letting go of things but not replacing them,” says Chris Lee, a former marketing professional who’s now a trustee of the men’s shed movement in the UK. Sheds — gathering points that feature activities from coffee to carpentry — provide a sense of community and purpose.
Whether sheds are literally wooden huts or shared community spaces, they are places where men can feel useful, comfortable, and purposeful.
In their own words: “When I heard about the Men’s Sheds movement, I immediately thought it was a brilliant way of bringing people together around something creative and fun. Men aren’t always the best at making new friends or talking to one another, but get them around a piece of wood or a DIY task and it’s amazing how they open up.” — Mike Magnay, retired electrical engineer and co-founder of a shed in Blewbury, Oxfordshire
One piece of advice for where you are: Start online and see if there’s a men’s shed in your area. Check out the website and learn more about weekly events or special sessions. Email the team. Show up. You don’t have to own a toolbelt — some guys just come along for the company and the conversation. Drink coffee, ask questions, learn wood-turning, repair an appliance, smell the smoke of a soldering iron, make a connection . . . whatever you’re looking for, the shed is what you make it.
To find out more: Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter
If you’ve visited a men’s shed, or you have other organizations with a purpose that you’d recommend, tell us about it at hello@ifloststarthere.com.
