What are Men’s Sheds
Due to recent developments, the Okanagan Men'Shed is unable to take on any projects and will be limited in activities for members and the community
Learn New Skills
A place where men can learn new skills and enjoy the company of other people with similar interests.
Plan New Projects
Work on challenging projects for community or personal use.
Participate
Socialize and work along with other men on activities which give a sense of purpose and value.
More about Men’s Sheds
‘Men’s Shed’ is a term now being recognized internationally for a special kind of Men’s Activity Centre.
Men’s sheds started in Australia about 1996 with a goal of improving the health of the older male population. Today, there are over 1,000 sheds in Australia and approximately 1,500 worldwide. Benefits are apparent for the men involved, for their families and for their communities. Improvements are being seen in a healthier senior population, reduced dependencies on many social and health services.
The Community Men’s Shed is a modern, shared space version of the workshop in the basement, garage or back yard that has long been a part of the Canadian way of life, with a focus on retired or less active men.
The purpose is to offer men an alternative way to reach out, avoid ‘isolation’, find new opportunities and interests, to socialize and work along with other men on activities which give a sense of purpose and value.
A Men’s Shed is a welcoming and friendly meeting place for men to come together to socialize, to participate in activities and thereby to improve their life style and well-being. The form of each shed varies based on the interests of the men in the group and the availability of facilities.
- Optional activities, determined by the members
- Reviving interests and developing new skills through sharing and mentoring
- Offering camaraderie, new friends
Men’s sheds are open to men of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Sheds are:
- A gathering place for men of purpose. And others.
- Usually involving a work space. For those who don’t have one or have had to give theirs up.
- Productive. Maybe.
- A place to change the world. Definitely.
- A helping hand. You bet.
Sheds are not:
- A formal training program. But you may gain some knowledge and skills.
- A sports club. But you may play sports.
- A health program. But your health and well-being may improve.
- An information service. But you may ask questions.
- A service for men. But you might be of service to others or get advice and support from time to time.
Sheds aim to be:
- Independent. We welcome help from others as long as there are no strings attached.
- A benefit to the community. We will give more than we get.
- Inclusive. All are welcome.
Qualifications Needed: RESPECT
Watch a video that documents how and why Sheds started and grew…
A men’s shed member is interviewed about why he needs the Men’s Shed and a bit about the history of the first Men’s Shed which began in Donnybrook, Australia.
Most new members have no idea about the importance and value of their practical skills they all bring to a shed for the local community to become more resilient and sustainable.
Spreading the word of the men’s shed movement and helping to connect various initiatives and people in the region is one of our mandates.