A Personal Story: Charlie Johnston
From Isolation to Inspiration: Charlie finds his place at the Shed
When Charlie Johnston (88) first heard about the Men’s Shed, he didn’t think it was for him. He’d been through a rough patch—more than one, in fact—and the idea of walking into a room full of strangers felt like one step too far. But as Charlie now puts it, walking through the doors of Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood Men’s Shed changed everything.
“I’ve had my share of dark days,” Charlie says. “I suffered from depression, and there were times when I didn’t think I’d ever pull myself out of it.”
But it wasn’t just his own pain weighing heavy—Charlie speaks about the loss of his grandson, who passed away at just 26 years old.
“My daughter lost her son… so I pray every day to help her through it. She’s strong, but none of us will ever get over it and certainly won’t forget.”
On occasion feeling isolated being in the house most days, Charlie’s confidence had all but disappeared. Support services reached out, suggesting the Men’s Shed might be a good place to start reconnecting.
“At first I said no. I didn’t think I could manage it—I didn’t believe in myself anymore.”
“It keeps me connected—not just with the guys, but with the whole village. It’s helped me find myself again.”
But with a little encouragement from a support worker, Charlie agreed to visit. “They brought me in one day, just for an hour or so. I met some of the guys, and they were all nice and friendly. No pressure—just a warm welcome.”
That one visit was enough to plant a seed. When the support worker suggested another trip, Charlie surprised himself and said: “Tell you what—I’ll go myself this time.”
“And that’s just what I did. From that moment, things began to change. Slowly, steadily, the gloom started to lift. “It just blossomed,” Charlie says.
“The guys joke away, they talk to me—it’s brilliant. I’m probably the oldest in the Shed now at 88 years old, but I don’t mind that at all.
“They’ve all been great. Some days I’m not much help, but I am happy to watch with a cuppa in hand.”
Beyond the banter and the buzz of tools, the Shed has given Charlie something harder to define: belonging. “It keeps me connected—not just with the guys, but with the whole village. It’s helped me find myself again.”
Charlie’s story is one of quiet resilience—a reminder that even when the weight of life feels too heavy to carry, a friendly face, a shared laugh, or a place to belong and have purpose can make all the difference.
And sometimes, all it takes is that first step through the Shed door.
Click here to find your local Shed on the SMSA map.