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Sheds for Life campaign offers a new approach to Men’s Wellbeing

Sheds for Life: Pictured are the men of the St. Mary’s Men’s Shed on Nicholas St. Picture: Conor Owens/ilovelimerick

 

Sheds for Life campaign offers a new approach to Men’s Wellbeing

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Mia Wang


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A new approach in relation to men’s health and wellbeing has been introduced in the ‘Sheds for Life’ campaign, which aims to support the physical and mental health of men in Limerick City and County, held by Irish Men’s Sheds Association. The majority of men who participate in this initiative feel a marked improvement in their health and wellbeing.

Ten Men’s Shed groups across Limerick City and County are taking part in the campaign with over 120 members receive expert health and wellbeing advice and resources from major national organisations such as the Irish Heart Foundation, Siel Bleu Ireland, the HSE, Mental Health Ireland, Diabetes Ireland and many other Sheds for Life partners.

Seamus Scott, a volunteer with Irish Men’s Sheds in Limerick, said, “Men’s Sheds is incredibly important for local men in Limerick. As Ireland has a drinking culture, it can be difficult for men to go somewhere else to spend their time. Men’s Sheds offer men a chance to discover new skills and interests, making it easier for men to meet new people. Men’s Sheds are the missing link that Irish society needed.”

Members of Men’s Sheds can come from a variety of walks of life – the connection among them is the time on their hand and they would like to sacrifice their time to do the meaningful thing for each other.

 

This approach has allowed sheds and their members to take genuine ownership of the initiative, moulding and shaping it to their own needs.

The scheme includes four main pillars: Health checks, physical activity, healthy eating, and mental health. Topics covered will include CPR training, diabetes management, digital literacy, suicide prevention and a range of other topics.

The Irish Men’s Sheds movement has received many humbling accolades in recent years and Ireland has more men’s sheds per head of population than any other country in the world. 

Men’s Shed aims to set up a group that can provide information, resources, and support to the members, gathering and responding to the concerns from the members.

Most men are used to staying in silence about their feelings and emotions. There has been little encouragement for men to take an interest in their health and well-being. Men’s Shed provides a safe environment for men to freely express their feelings.

For information on Sheds for Life click here.

For more stories on Sheds for Life click here.

 

 

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