What has a shed got to offer? While the main concept of the Men’s Sheds is the provision of a space for men to come together, it’s the diversity of projects that is truly remarkable.

Sheds operate at a local level through their local members, everyone is treated equally and everyone has a say on the projects and activities the sheds participate in. Often the question that’s asked is: “Who are the sheds for?” The simple answer is that the sheds are for everyone.

We are providing spaces for men just to be men, have a cup of tea, learn new skills, meet new friends and get involved with their community. You don’t have to be unemployed or retired or young or old – once you enter a men’s shed, everyone is equal. It is a space where men can go and gather and work on projects together. Most importantly, the sheds are a place where men find friendship and belonging, meaning and purpose – it is where they can get support and participate fully in society while giving back to their communities.

Sheds throughout Ireland are having a major impact on our members, their families and the communities they operate in. This week, we are showing you some examples of the diverse activities that some of our sheds are involved in within their communities.

An Tobar Men’s Shed keeping

their health in check

Fourteen men from An Tobar Men’s Shed, Navan, Co Meath, availed of the Irish Heart Foundation’s (IHF) full health checks in Navan as part of the Pfizer/Irish Times healthy town initiative. The one-to-one health check took 30 minutes, with instant results.

The check comprised of blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index, waist measurement, and a carbon monoxide (for smokers) check. An Tobar Men’s Shed members also received heart health advice on the other risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, stress and healthy eating.

Making Ireland click

Making Ireland click is a campaigning four-part TV series guided by Ireland’s Digital Champion David Puttnam. It explores the need for every citizen to be digitally literate.

In the first episode of this landmark series for RTÉ, David visits Men’s Sheds to see how this organisation is embracing technology and offering men around the country an opportunity to connect and learn.

The programmes starts on 31 October at 7.30pm on RTÉ One. Follow online www.makingirelandclick.ie, on Facebook /makingirelandclick, and on Twitter @IrelandClicks.

Mallow Men’s Shed

Le Chéile Mallow Men’s Shed welcomes men aged 18 years and over to attend the Shed. They have pottery and ceramics classes on Tuesday nights and are delighted to welcome their Syrian members who have been part of the Mallow community since earlier this year.

On Wednesdays they have cookery classes. Members have also been involved in the refurbishment of outdoor furniture for Linden Downs Sheltered Housing and will soon be preparing the “Kiddie’s Train” carriages for the Mallow Christmas fair in early December. The men refurbished a horse trap last year.