Hospice sets up ‘ Man Shed ’ to help combat social isolation
Above top : Michael taking aim in a game of curling
Above bottom left to right : Dave and Yannis pictured with a selection of tabletop games on offer
A new group inspired by the Men ’ s Sheds movement has been launched for patients , carers and bereaved relatives at Hospice in the Weald to help combat social isolation .
Ellie Andrews , an occupational therapist at the hospice , proposed the idea after noticing that attendance at the Hospice ’ s Living Well Centre was heavily dominated by women . When she analysed figures from the year March 2022 to March 2023 , she discovered only 31 % of the 293 attendees were male .
Ellie was aware of the Men ’ s Sheds movement after hearing about national and local groups in the media . The idea originated in Australia in the
1990s after a men ’ s health conference identified that men were not being encouraged to share or discuss feelings and emotions .
Ellie explains : ‘ After reading about the amazing social and wellbeing benefits that these groups can achieve , I suggested that we set up something similar here at Hospice in the Weald .’
Thanks to the efforts of Ellie and colleagues , the hospice , in Pembury , Kent , launched its own ‘ Man Shed ’ group in April this year .
Ellie says : ‘ Whether they are a patient , relative or have been bereaved , all men are welcome . It is a space to interact with other men , where they can take part in therapeutic games and activities in a safe and supportive environment , but there is no pressure to do anything in particular . The time can be used to meet other people and just simply enjoy chatting over tea and cake .’
The group meets each fortnight and members have so far enjoyed playing tabletop games , such as bowling and curling , a pop quiz , walks around the garden and indoor croquet .
When asked why they enjoy the Man Shed , members said that they found it a fun , social space where they could chat with others and make new connections . Dave , who has been a participant since it started , said that indoor croquet has been his favourite activity so far and Michael , another group member , said he enjoys being able to reminisce about past times .
Resourceful Ellie found many free items for the group to use through Facebook and Olio ( an app where you offer items for free locally ), collecting an indoor putting green , tabletop air hockey and golf clubs .
She has also linked up with the local ‘ Kent Sheds ’ network to hear about what other groups are up to and to share resources .
Ellie adds : ‘ The majority of these community sheds offer practical labouring type activities , like woodwork and gardening , which differs from the Hospice ’ s Man Shed , but they all share the common theme of offering safe spaces for men to socialise , reduce isolation and promote wellbeing through meaningful activity .’
The Man Shed continues to gain more participants at every session and , she says , ‘ it ’ s great to see the social connections that are forming between the men who attend ’.
Now that the group is established , Ellie has handed over the facilitation of the Man Shed to two colleagues who work in the Living Well Centre and in the future it is hoped that some group members may take an active role in co-facilitating the group .
8 OTnews July 2023