Long before it ever had a name or a logo or a website, the idea for Sheds for Life was born in places exactly like this.”

Amid the hand-carved beehives and canoes of the Belmont Men’s Shed workshop, Edel Byrne’s words resonated with the fifty-strong crowd. Byrne was speaking at the launch of Sheds for Life, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association’s flagship male health initiative.

With a Minister of State in attendance alongside representatives from the HSE, the initiative has earned support and backing at the highest level. Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD, Minister of State for Health Promotion, spoke enthusiastically about the positive effects sheds have had on men’s health and alleviating rural isolation.

Irish Men’s Sheds Association Chairman George Kelly said: “The meteoric rise of men’s sheds in Ireland owes much to our traditions of hospitality, community and friendship. I like to refer to the shed as “the pub with no beer”. No matter what your experiences, no matter what route you’ve taken to get there, within the shed, everyone is equal and equally valued”

“It’s that breaking down of barriers that makes Sheds for Life possible. In a culture which has traditionally made it hard for men to talk about their health, men’s sheds have created the space for that to happen”, George continued.

Minister Corcoran Kennedy, speaking on home turf in rural Offaly, noted that “research suggests that compared to women, men have limited contact with GPs, are reluctant users of primary care services and often present late in the course of illness. Sheds for Life is an exciting initiative aimed at supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of men’s shed members in a safe environment”.

Every shedder knows the health benefits of participating in a men’s shed; meeting new and like-minded people improves mood and motivation; collaborating on projects keeps mind and body fit and active.

Sheds for Life aims to build on those existing benefits, by offering shedders access to men’s health resources and information. The initiative will be developed in partnership with sheds and shedders on the ground, ensuring that it meets their needs.

Speaking on behalf of HSE Health Promotion & Improvement, Fergal Fox said, “HSE Health Promotion & Improvement are working on many initiatives targeting men’s health and this partnership with the IMSA supports real engagement of men at community level. By supporting initiatives like Sheds for Life our aim is to stimulate men to have a health and wellbeing conversation and engagement opportunity”. CL