Factsheet: How to attract younger men into Men’s Sheds

How to attract younger men into Men’s Sheds

Over the past year, Dr Julie Cowie and Dr Dani Hutcheon from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have been conducting in-depth research, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, through the WIGWAM-S (Wellbeing in dIsadvantaGed, Working Age Men–Sheds) project with working age men (aged 16-65) across Ayrshire and Forth Valley to answer a series of questions:

  1. What do working age men already attending Men’s Sheds find works well to support their health and wellbeing?
  2. What do working age men not attending Sheds think about them?
  3. What activities are working age men actually interested in, and what is important to them?

Findings showed that men attending Sheds enjoyed opportunities for peer learning and gaining support from others. Those who were unemployed found that Sheds gave them a sense of purpose that mimicked working life, Sheds were particularly beneficial for those with transport issues when based in a central accessible location.

Men who didn’t attend a Shed felt that fixing and mending things sounded appealing, as well as opportunities to be creative, and chances for intergenerational learning. However, there was a preconception that Sheds were just for older men, and only for those who don’t work during the week.

Some activities that working age men stated that they would be interested in included darts, pool, gaming, fitness, music, cooking and bike repairs.

What was particularly important to working age men were activities being inclusive, activities being free or low cost, being able to take ownership and have a voice (when they often didn’t) and having a laugh! While the research was based on men living in areas of disadvantage, the results are very relevant to men living in varied contexts across Scotland.

GCU, along with the SMSA and other community partners, has now co-created two WIGWAM-S factsheets of findings. The factsheets encompass the views and quotes of the 117 men engaged over the course of the study, the WIGWAM-S factsheets provide an insight into what men want and need to help them live well in their communities.

There’s a specific Men’s Shed Factsheet for Sheds wanting to attract more working-age men as well as a Community Factsheet for use by community organisations.

Findings from the study will inform the design of a larger-scale project to test and refine theories about how Sheds might best support socially disadvantaged men.

This new knowledge is important, as policymakers require a robust understanding of whether and how community-based interventions work before investing in approaches that supported the health and wellbeing of working-age men in disadvantaged communities.