Linked to the global awareness campaign of Movember (Men’s Health Awareness), here in the U.K there is a specific focus on Men’s Mental Health. The distressing fact remains that suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 in the U.K. Although 36% of all NHS referrals for psychotherapies are for men, it is still a sad truth that men are less likely to seek support for their mental health. That’s why support groups and organisations have become a vital part of helping to support men’s wellbeing and mental health; providing safe spaces for men to talk to others who are experiencing similar issues. Finding others that can empathise with the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing can help reduce the feeling of isolation and break the stigma surrounding men’s emotional feelings and mental health and these being a sign of weakness.
One such organisation, is Men’s Shed; a concept first starting in Australia in 1999 which has since spread to many countries around the globe. Sheds are mainly ‘grassroots’ community activities that came about in response to shared needs. These have mostly been for men to access tools, workbenches, skills and opportunities to make and mend in the company of others, proving a great way to tackle issues such as social isolation and anxiety. According to statistics published in the UK Men’s Shed Association 2023 report, over 75% of members surveyed stated that both their physical and mental health had improved since attending Men’s Shed across the U.K; highlighting the positive impact on Men’s Health nationally. But what impact has it had in Staffordshire?
Support Staffordshire is lucky to have Men’s Shed Lichfield as one if its members. This has enabled us to see for ourselves what impact this local group has had within the community. Like many people who have recently retired, Chairman Peter Hollis, found that not only did retiring mean leaving his profession behind, it also meant that he lost most of his social network. Although he had built networks in different areas of the country throughout his career, he realised he didn’t have one in Lichfield. This led to the feeling of isolation and boredom beginning to set in. He soon realised he wasn’t the only person who felt like this and decided to investigate the possibility of opening a Men’s Shed locally. As he explored the idea further, he soon realised there were others who not only had lost their social network with the loss of a career, but were also struggling to find friends, their status and their self-worth now they had no job. This had obvious detrimental effects on their mental health. He saw an opportunity to not only establish a new circle of friends, contacts and network for himself but help others do the same.
That’s how Men’s Shed Lichfield was born and in 2019 the process of setting up and registering as a charity began. Although the Covid pandemic slightly scuppered the progress, by 2021 Peter and his other trustees had established the organisation and found a regular meeting space at Curborough Community Centre. From there the organisation grew and by 2023 there was a need to find a different premises to support further expansion. With support from Lichfield District Council, they found their current home at the Swinfen Broun Pavilion in Beacon Park and meetings have been taking place there since August of that year.
As soon as you walk into the space it is apparent why it has the name Men’s Shed Lichfield. It is, a workshop space that mirrors the typical image of a men’s shed, work benches and tools a plenty. Peter Hollis, the chairman of the group, was keen to point out that despite what the name may suggest, women are also very welcome and the organisation is fully inclusive to anyone over the age of 18. The name purely comes from the appearance of most spaces. Men’s Shed Lichfield even has the fantastic backdrop of the beautiful green space of Beacon Park to add further authenticity to the setting. It is clear to see why so many people find it a place of sanctuary.
Peter and his team go out of their way to ensure everyone is welcomed and feel comfortable when they step through the doors. There is no pressure for anyone to talk, just a safe space for them to work alongside others and an opportunity to feel like they’ve achieved something. Their workshops are set up so that you can just focus on the item you are working on and an ample supply of tea/coffee and biscuits. Peter explained that the set up really supports people who are lacking in confidence or have social anxiety. The secret is that many men have “been there” but keep it secret. Casual conversation over a workbench build friendships and trust and this enables people to open up a little more easily if they wish to. Vitally, this is where the success of the organisation comes in as casually engaging in conversation with others, can lead to the realisation that others are going through similar things to you. Mental health struggles can often be isolating and a sense that no one can understand how you feel. Therefore, being able to find others like you in a relaxed environment can be a relief and the first step of your journey to getting healthier.
Not only is the relaxed atmosphere a way to help people feel comfortable, Peter and his team go above and beyond to make sure their group is accessible to all. Donations go a huge way to help the organisation and its members thrive. One such donation was a mobility scooter, which the team use to go and collect members who have difficulty walking from the nearest car park; ensuring that there is no barrier to them being able to attend the group. Other donations include tools, reconstituted wood and a range of books for people to peruse for inspiration. Everyone who comes through the door is different and have various levels of ability; currently members’ ages range from 59 to 92. That’s why there is even a study space, where people can look up ideas and techniques in the books before sketching out designs; enabling people to build up their confidence and take their time before having a go at making anything.
Another way they try and make sure everyone can be included and have an opportunity to succeed, is their introductory project. The team have created a template for a bird box, which includes parts that have all been precut and prepared. Members can then just follow some simple instructions to assemble the item. One of the things that can add to the burden of someone who is lonely and struggling is the sense of failure and lack of self-worth. However, this simple idea gives them a sense of achievement; feeling like they have produced something they can be proud of and in turn giving them some confidence to try more. When they are ready, they can be guided by Hugh, who uses his experience as a Design and Technology teacher to help support members produce more intricate pieces. Again, there is never any pressure for more difficult pieces to be produced but just opportunity to try if they want to.
In terms of concrete evidence, it is hard to measure how much impact Men’s Shed Lichfield has had on men in their community. In a recent member survey 15 out of 25 current members said they felt they had increased their connection to the local community since joining. This obviously will decrease the amount of isolation they feel. Furthermore, 17 out of 25 said that they felt that being part of the organisation had a positive impact on their personal health and wellbeing. Thus, providing us with some quantifiable evidence of the positive effects it has had on men in the community.
However, it is often the more abstract things that can’t be quantified which show the greatest impact. Peter offered several examples of this. The first being an example of a member who told him, without coming to Men’s Shed, he could go for day’s without seeing or hearing from anybody. Just having that date in his diary weekly, meant he had a sense of purpose and time throughout the week and helped give him something to look forward to. Further showing how attending the organisation can increase your connection to others, give you a purpose and reduce the isolation you may experience.
Another touching example is that of a man who was severely lacking in self-esteem and the ability to connect with others. At his first meeting, he was very nervous and uncomfortable amongst others. This individual needed support from the team. Eventually, he began to feel more comfortable within the sanctuary of the group. He was able to work on what he wanted to, without pressure; to talk to people in a place where no-one was judging him; to be given the opportunity to build connections with others; to achieve something. Peter witnessed how his confidence and self-esteem grew and saw the positive changes in the man while he attended. The man eventually left the group because he found full-time employment. Of course, Peter acknowledged that there is no way of knowing for certain how much his involvement in the group led to him finding work but the impact that being part of it gave him the confidence to try new things. This is the only success that really matters and is more rewarding than any statistic could be.
This isn’t the only example of how attending Men’s Shed has possibly led to people finding connections outside the group. There have been members who have connected outside of the group and become friends, often exchanging messages and meeting up in other circumstances. One of the main pieces of advice given in improving mental health is to have a network of friends to support you; people you can lean on in hard times and celebrate and enjoy the good times with. Men’s Shed Lichfield has definitely been integral in allowing others to find people to connect with. Even holding events like Christmas Dinner using borrowed slow cookers, air fryers and microwaves to provide some festive foods such as hot turkey and stuffing rolls and pigs in blankets. Reducing loneliness and providing a little bit of festive cheer at times when people struggle the most is just another example of how the group can boost their members wellbeing.
Peter again reminded us that it is hard to say for certain that these things have reduced mental health struggles or prevented people from taking their own lives. Nonetheless, it is well documented that organisations which provide a safe space to talk, create connections and accomplish tasks do have an immensely positive impact on individuals who attend. Men’s Shed Lichfield definitely does all this and the welcoming and inclusive nature of the location and team members will have led to many members having some positive life experiences which may have increased their self-esteem. The impact therefore is immeasurable but long lasting.
How have Support Staffordshire supported the organisation?
When asked about how Support Staffordshire have contributed to organisation, Peter’s response was to mention how supportive and encouraging their Locality Officer, Claire Ferris, has been. He described Claire as a great encourager and someone who was always there to listen and advise when needed. He also talked about how she was very attentive to the group’s needs and helped point him in the right direction of funding opportunities. Over the years, Men’s Shed Lichfield has received around £20,000 of funding which has provided vital components of the organisation, including their ICT equipment which has helped them immensely in the administration of the charity. That’s why it’s vital to know where grants and funding is available and how to apply. Claire always has the knowledge to help with this.
Another key contribution that Support Staffordshire has given to the group, is through the locality forums. Peter talked about how the forums have given him the opportunity to network with other local organisations and provided opportunities to speak to people face to face and create vital connections. Peter has had opportunities to speak in depth to people providing funding at these events and gain insight into the grant funding process and criteria that must be met. Like most of these organisations, Men’s Shed Lichfield is run by members and so time expended on administrative work is precious. Knowing more about a grant application process, helps the team focus on those matters likely to deliver the optimum benefit for the charity. The forums have also helped the team build up more contacts within the sector who can support them as well. In addition to this, having access to the Members area on the website and monthly E-Bulletin has also proved important in seeing what funding is available. It also keeps them informed of what other organisations are doing and initiatives that are happening which they can be a part of. All of this helps them to maintain the links they’ve made.
Finally, Support Staffordshire has provided them with training which has been beneficial in many ways. Peter himself has attended several of the sessions, including how to write a business plan, navigating the DBS process, safeguarding and unconscious bias. Peter found most of these extremely beneficial, even the ones that weren’t necessarily relevant to him allowed him insight into what the organisation doesn’t need to delve deeper into. On the flip side of this, there have been some training which has led to a deeper understanding of certain topics and highlighted areas that him and his team need to find out more about. This again has given them the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding and explore unfamiliar areas which can then be used within the organisation. Again, Peter uses this knowledge and information to manage his time in the most efficient way he can; something all our members need to do in order to give the best to their organisations and the individuals they support. Men’s Shed Lichfield is such a fantastic, welcoming and inclusive organisation. The work they have done for men in their community is so important and although they may be modest about it, it is clear that it has a positive impact on the mental health of their members. Now more than ever there is a need for such organisations in supporting men’s welfare. Places of sanctuary, friendship, support and kindness are what a lot of people need to improve their health and wellbeing. Luckily for the men of Lichfield, Men’s Shed Lichfield is a place they can find that.
