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Research

Research

For the first time, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement –in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University’s (GCU’s) four-year Sheds for Sustainable Development Project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund– has now built an extensive peer-reviewed evidence base, specific to Scotland, on the impact and benefits of Men’s Sheds:

Briefings:

Main/Key Findings:

Health and wellbeing

Participation in Shed activities was found to positively impact the health and wellbeing of Shed users including: 

Participating in Shed activities was also found to lead to increased health seeking behaviours, improved perspectives on individual health and an improved ability to overcome illness and adversity.

Sustainability

The main sustainability challenges that Sheds face are:

The older age and retirement status of members means that sourcing skilled and willing volunteers is challenging 

Sheds prefer to remain informal and flexible in their nature to fit with their ‘ethos’, rather than formalising or expanding into service provision 

The sustainability of Sheds is precarious without adequate support, in particular core grant funding and the need for Shed specific development workers who can assist Sheds with operational tasks to increase their sustainability 

National Statistics

National statistics serve as a stark and unacceptable reminder of why preventative health models like Men’s Sheds should be a health priority.

Participating in Shed activities was also found to lead to increased health seeking behaviours, improved perspectives on individual health and an improved ability to overcome illness and adversity.

Social Return on Investment (SROI)

The SROI report on Westhill & District Men’s Shed (the first Men’s Shed in Scotland) in 2015 identified that for every £1 that is spent on men’s sheds, there is a social return of about £9.

Going Forward/Future Plans

As GCU’s main partner, the SMSA is currently supporting their funding applications for the future to ensure the research in Scotland continues. Potential avenues to be explored are the physical health benefits of being in the Shed (monitored using wearable technology). The Association will strive to ensure this vital partnership, to produce a Scotland-specific evidence base on the benefits of Men’s Sheds, continues for many years to come.