Men's Sheds charity

[ScottBouch]

These groups seem mainly aimed at woodworkers, but it struck me as a really nice concept, and I wondered if anyone here had been to one?

https://menssheds.org.uk/

Cheers, Scott

[paulsherwin]

They're not that common here, though apparently it's a huge thing in Australia.

[G6Tanuki]

I think the UK equivalents are generally known as "Makerspaces".

They have things like 3D printers, milling machines, presses, lathes and the like.
Not been to one but I know someone who's on the management board of one in London.

[GrimJosef]

There's one in a village near here. I've been tempted to stop in as I have a 'captain's chair' which needs repairing, but my woodworking skills and available space are pretty limited. To be honest I'd be hoping to bump into someone with the necessary expertise who was looking for a few afternoons' project. The chair is nice enough but not worth spending proper 'furniture restoration' money on.

Cheers,

GJ

[DuncanLeece]

Popular here in rural Northeast Scotland with most wee towns or villages having one. I guess probably because there are fewer other facilities in these less populated bits of the country? Very varied in what they do and equipment they have, but its predominantly practical stuff and of course, all about social interaction. Incidentally, although the 'Mens Shed' name is used, many have ladies as members too. Seems a popular and well-liked movement here but sadly, as I still work full-time, I have not had a chance to join one, despite invitations!
best wishes
Duncan

[stevehertz]

I've been to an open day at the Aldridge Shed near Walsall. Very nice, well fitted out setup and nice people too.

https://www.aldridgeshed.co.uk/

[Ian - G4JQT]

New-ish and growing in the UK:

https://menssheds.org.uk/

Each one's focus tends to depend on the main interests of the group who formed it, how much space they have, what equipment/tools they have (often donated by widows) and the skills/interests of those who live nearby and join.

It started off being a space for men to have activity where they are also encouraged to talk openly about all sorts of things, particularly the sort of things men aren't usually open about (physical and mental health issues, relationships, etc.) whereas women have groups where this is quite usual.

The one near me I think has launched as a "People's Shed" where everyone is welcome, but I think that misses the point...

I think one concentrating on vintage electronics (or any electronics) would be a good idea, but how many would have that particular interest and make it viable?

[Bazz4CQJ]

A mens' shed started up quite close to me recently, funded largely by the PR department of the people doing HS2. I've been along a couple of times but they are entirely focused on woodwork and nothing else, so not really my turf . I thought about going along with an 807 valve in one hand and a 28/36 in the other and see what reaction that got. I think there's a huge diversity across the "sheds network".

B

[nutteronthebus]

there is a repair shop once a month in Glossop at the Labor club ( I have fixed a couple of Quad 's for them )

[trh01uk]

I have one in Ross-on-Wye. I've been to it. Mostly turning out garden furniture to sell to the public. Does a good job of keeping a group of men off the streets, which is one of the aims. A bit cliquey my one.

Mostly woodworking, but also lots of metalworking tools, but no-one seem to know how to use them!


Richard

[Globalgrid]

The electronic versions are known as Hackspaces, projects, a share of tools and resources, memberships and some public open days. 3D printing, craft, laser cutting, woodwork, metalwork, biology, amateur radio, robotics, and many other things

https://london.hackspace.org.uk/
https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Equipment

https://www.hackspace.org.uk/

Nationwide.

[Uncle Bulgaria]

Repair shops aren't the same thing. As Ian said above, the idea of the charity that instigated Men's Sheds is that it can be helpful for men to talk about things and confide in one another 'side to side' when they're doing something together, whereas many women find it more comfortable to talk face to face without an activity in the way.

With the greater awareness of problems in male mental health, loneliness and the associated substance abuse and suicide, it's not a bad idea. Apparently, in the western world at least, men have fewer friends and fewer close friends than previously because so much of life takes place online and people don't go out and join clubs and so on. I knew four people in my friendship group from school who have killed themselves, all young men, despite looking outwardly successful and fulfilled. One always wonders if there was a moment when greater intimacy might have made a difference.

Had I the room, I would certainly try to set up one with an old electronics section at the back! I think it's the sort of thing that might be bizarrely successful as part of a youth club. Surely they can't all be into haxx0ring and the Dark Web, and just don't know that they need a decent radio to fix!

There are a couple down here, but in isolated places so I have not been to one.

[Bazz4CQJ]

Originally Posted by Ian - G4JQT

I think one concentrating on vintage electronics (or any electronics) would be a good idea, but how many would have that particular interest and make it viable?

Well, provided you don't use all the space for woodworking tools, then there are lots of guys interested in radios/electronics/computers, lots of guys who are interested in anything which burns petrol, lots interested in photography. But it seems to be that woodwork is the easiest one to kick off with, but the other stuff rarely gets a hold.

On the two occasions I visited the new one near me, there were very few people present. Another Shed in this area closed down last year after a good few years of operation.

B

[Terry_VK5TM]

Here in Australia, Mens Sheds are are distinctly seperate entities compared to Makerspace and Hackspace outfits.

Also many varied activities from the usual woodwork through metal work, CNC equipment for both wood and metalwork, 3d printing, laser engraving/cutting, arts & crafts (both men and women).

There's one with a model railway group and another with an amateur radio section that I know of.

Some sheds even have almost commercial arrangements whereby they supply finished items to a sponsoring entity in exchange for materials and tools.

[paulsherwin]

As I said upthread, it seems to be a much bigger movement there. I think one of the reasons is that rural Australia tends to have lots of disused buildings which can be rented cheaply. Here there's massive commercial pressure on any disused building for reuse or redevelopment, so it's difficult to set up non-commercial physical workshops.

[David Simpson]

Not trying to elbow in on Scott's interesting thread - just thought I'd mention a thread I put out last year -The "Men's Shed" Phenomenon - 17th July, which also raised a number of comments & thoughts.
My moot point is that whatever hobby interest folk have, at whatever advancing age they might be - nothing beats meeting folk "in person" for a good natter & some practical help &/or shared problem solving.
Right enough, sadly, some folk have mobility issues - but what's to stop a more active hobby sharer nearby giving a chap a lift to a Men's Shed or other similar activity venue.
Some folk bemoan the fact that men's sheds predominantly concentrate on joinery/carpentry or metalwork - but hey, some knackered old radios I've worked on in the past have taken up more time on cabinet/chassis repairs than the actual circuitry electronics.

Regards, David

[Julesomega]

There are several local Sheds locally which I've seen set up, always struggling for space in community centres, churches, and a shipping container in a park. The first one was a cycle repair group, formed specifically for men with mental health and disabilities with funding from Sustrans, which I was asked to help with tools and bicycle knowledge, it now only accepts recruits referred by social services, and have a large throughput of bikes which are loaned or given to local groups or sold through a local charity.

Inspired by this, another group was proposed, and at the initial meeting woodwork, photography and music were suggested; woodwork was chosen and space offered in the undercroft of a local church, where the vicar recognised the social benefits, and was pleased to find an eager workforce to do woodwork jobs around the church, which expanded to making signs for other churches, parks, and a station 'Friends Of' group, and running a Repair Café.

They are rather too cliquey for my liking, and I'm too busy to be lonely, but they have now developed true expertise in 3D milling and printing, making items for themselves and local craft markets. The available funding from local business and development bodies is remarkable, and spent wisely; I asked why they kept buying bench and belt saws, workbenches, power drills, only to learn these were all given by local bereaved families who heard about the group on Facebook.

A Vintage Radio Shed would be truly wonderful, but scarcity of those interested would allow only one per metropolitan area, where the distances travelled would not be viable.

On occasional travels I've seen signs put up ly local MiS groups; I particularly liked this one in Westhoughton station, referring to local stereotypes.

(edit) I thought I'd made similar comments on a forum somewhere!

I am always happy to welcome folks to my shed(s). I have lathes, milling machines, woodworking tools and two electronics workshops. Only occasional visitors though, since I am in a remote part of Anglesey. At least the local radio club chaps come up from time to time to use the fields or the shack for special event stuff. If anyone cares to drop by - welcome.

[Sean Williams]

Makerspaces are a byproduct of Make magazine - very popular in the US and Mainland Europe.

Hasn't really caught on here the same way though - we used to have a UK Makerfaire, but I think Covid saw that off.

There is Makercentral at the NEC each year, but this is more a trade fair.

Likewise Hackspace is a techie type movement, not really a group therapy type think that Mens Shed is aimed at - We have Hackspace in Hitchin, not to sure about any of the other groups though.

It's a bit of an odd thing I guess, woodwork is almost open to all, and the basic skills easy to master, though fine limit cabinet making and joinery is a bit more involved I'm not so sure that there would be much support for a technical collecting and restoration movement along the same lines sadly.

[ex 2 Base]

I've been a member of MATES for 3 or years, We have good wood working facilities circular saw, up/under planer, band saw,2 lathes etc. Myford Super with PCF, bench top mill. Art, pottery, clay and kiln. Clean tidy warm in the winter, plenty of tea/coffee and conversation, men and women.