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Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to get together and take part in practical activities, learn new skills, share existing ones and make new friends over a shared interest and a cuppa.
The sheds are not exclusively about making things, they can encompass gardening, computing, electronics and other activities according to members’ interests.
Find a Men’s Shed
But so far there’s only 2 in the district:
- Epping Forest District Museum in Waltham Abbey
- St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood
The Waltham Abbey one is co-ordinated by Voluntary Action Epping Forest, is open Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm.
The St Clare Hospice one also opens on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Supporting the health and wellbeing of men
Martin Dowding, Development Officer for Essex Shed Network is keen to see more Men’s Sheds across the Epping Forest district, said:
Sheds bring terrific value to communities and they’re very easy to set up. All that’s needed is a space to meet and I’m sure there is lots of space going begging in local towns and villages.
Churches often have unused space, and hospitals are good places too.
It’s well-known men are at great risk of loneliness or unwanted isolation and Essex has a higher than average incidence of suicide among men.
This is why Men’s Sheds play such an important part in supporting the health and wellbeing of men.
Valuable social outlet
A spokesperson for VAEF said:
Projects like Men’s Sheds often provide a valuable social outlet and support network to people in their communities, as well as a place where they can make a contribution, learn new skills and have fun.
We would very much like to set up further sheds but of course like many services, funding is required to develop them in the first instance, albeit a small amount.
Set up a shed
If you’d like to explore the benefits of setting up a shed in your town or village please contact Martin:
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