Impact/Benefits to Health and Wellbeing

The Impact of Scottish Men’s Sheds

A recent survey conducted by the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA)–Scotland’s leading men’s health and wellbeing charity–highlights the significant positive impact Sheds have on health, wellbeing and social connection. The findings, from over 500 Scottish Shedders, show that Scottish Sheds are helping men build friendships, reduce isolation and improve their overall quality of life across all 32 local authority regions in Scotland.

Main Findings:

  • Men’s Sheds build friendships. Nine in ten members have made new friends through their Men’s Shed. 93% of respondents say their Shed helped them build new friendships. For policymakers this immediately positions Men’s Sheds as a preventative health intervention, not just a hobby group.
  • Men’s Sheds reduce loneliness. Three quarters (76%) of respondents report that their Shed reduces loneliness. Reducing loneliness among older men is a major public health priority across the UK.
  • Men’s Sheds improve wellbeing. 88% of members say attending their Men’s Shed has improved their health and wellbeing and three in four members (75%) say their mental health has improved since joining a Men’s Shed.
  • Men’s Sheds reach men most at risk. Because 90.6% of respondents are over 60, these outcomes are happening in the group most at risk of isolation, poor mental health, and declining wellbeing.
  • Men’s Sheds improve quality of life. More than four in five members say attending their Shed has improved their quality of life (84%).

Impact/Benefits to Health and Wellbeing

Men’s Sheds can have a life-changing impact on the men that attend them and in turn this improves relationships within the family unit, friendships, peer groups and community as a whole. Men’s Sheds are a preventative male health and wellbeing model (effective engagement with a hard-to-reach group) to:

  • Increase social contact
  • Increase confidence
  • Create and maintain meaningful friendships with a ‘shoulder to shoulder’ camaraderie focus
  • Provide a friendly and welcoming space for whatever you need—fun, respite, relaxation and/or escape
  • Become an active citizen in the community—a feeling of being a valued and respected member of the community
  • Increase sense of purpose, belonging, trust and kindness
  • Learn new or utilise skills
  • Mentor others/share your skills and experience

In turn, this will:

  • Reduce social isolation/loneliness – inclusive and supportive environment
  • Reduce depression/anxiety
  • Reduce the suicide rate
  • Improve physical health – increased mobility, decrease in alcohol consumption and improved health knowledge
  • Reduce breakdown of the family unit (e.g. divorce/separation, underfoot syndrome, domestic abuse)
  • Improve the local community/environment – through the improvement of local buildings being utilised as Shed premises (some often derelict); the recycle, reuse, reclaim and repair ethos of Sheds; and reduction in items going to landfill
  • Sustain traditional skills (e.g. wood carving, wood turning, metal and woodwork) through mentoring
  • Provide savings to government and health authorities