A men’s community workshop
on Salt Spring Island, BC
― 123 Members ―
154 Kings Lane
Introduction
Described as workshop-type spaces containing tools and materials that men can use to make or fix things, to work on a variety of crafts, or just to tinker away, Men’s Sheds are public places for men to socialize "shoulder to shoulder" and improve their well-being.
As one man expressed it: "Somewhere to go. Something to do. Someone to talk to."
The Men’s Shed concept has already proven to be a success in many other communities. There are presently 32 Men’s Sheds in British Columbia and 2,800 worldwide.
Target Demographics
Although all men and others who identify as men are welcome, Men’s Sheds are particularly meant to reach at-risk men who may not easily make connections in their community otherwise:
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Most Men’s Shed members tend to be senior citizens.
Women
Membership in a Men’s Shed is only for men and others who identify as men. Just as women’s groups and services exist because women often feel accepted when they are pre-approved on the basis of their gender, men (although they are perhaps less likely to express this) also may benefit from feeling a sense of belonging when they are exclusively surrounded by other men.
However, the Salt Spring Men’s Shed is on the lookout for a female organizer who is passionate about starting a Women’s Shed at a different location. The Salt Spring Men’s Shed is ready to offer support and resources, including help with organization, administration, network building, funding, promotional activities, and more. The organizer will need to find the specific location for the Women’s Shed.
Anyone interested in this opportunity is encouraged to get in touch with the Salt Spring Men’s Shed for further information and aid in setting up a Women’s Shed.
It’s worth mentioning that the Salt Spring Men’s Shed is already lending support to someone working on establishing a Women’s Shed in Duncan, and is aware of multiple other thriving Women’s Sheds that have been established elsewhere.
Lastly, there is a shared workspace available to both men and women at the former Middle School, The Space: SSI Community Resilience Hub, for those interested.
Equality and Diversity
The Salt Spring Men’s Shed is intended to be inclusive of all population groups among men.
No distinction will be made based on:
- Race, colour, or ethnic background;
- Religious beliefs or practices;
- Ancestry, including among individuals from Indigenous groups;
- Place of origin;
- Citizenship, including refugee status;
- Sexual orientation;
- Disability; or
- Age.
Aims and Objectives
"Health By Stealth"
In literature for health practitioners, Men’s Sheds are recognized for their positive and therapeutic aspects. They are included in the national health strategies of countries such as Australia and Ireland.
Participants benefit through:
- Having opportunities for conversation and comradeship;
- Staying physically and mentally active, while being distracted from pains;
- Regaining a sense of purpose;
- Increasing their feelings of competency;
- Learning and passing on skills;
- Developing an increased willingness to improve their help-seeking behaviours;
- Feeling useful; and
- Being in a socially supportive environment.
Membership in a Men’s Shed can break down the social isolation and stigma that are associated with various health conditions. Men can discuss their concerns with other men; participate in health screenings; find information about illnesses, community resources, and support services in a rack of leaflets; or learn vital information from health promotion officers or educators. All health-related events at the Salt Spring Men’s Shed would be subject to the approval of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Areas of education and/or prevention include:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease ― participation in a Men’s Shed stimulates the senses, mind, and memory. "Use it or lose it."
- Prostate cancer.
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes ― studies have shown that Men’s Sheds make a difference in preventing diabetes from going undiagnosed or untreated.
Typically, about 30% of Men’s Shed members are disabled.
Social Benefits
As men participate in a Men’s Shed, they strengthen their social skills:
- Interacting with others in the Men’s Shed can improve men’s ability to form social relationships: for example, helping a new member integrate by partnering him with someone who has been a member for a longer time.
- Talking about personal issues fosters men’s ability to be supportive of their friends, spouses, and other family members.
- Members form relationships that extend outside Shed hours; these might involve regular phone calls, or visits to check up on those who are at home or in a hospital.
- Being in an environment that includes men of all backgrounds helps men to develop or advance their sensitivity to people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Community Impact
Men’s Sheds benefit the population at large. They become places where people outside the group can find a tremendous amount of expertise, along with a willingness to be of service to the community. Men’s Shed members like to be useful and accept building projects such as:
- Park benches;
- Community bulletin boards;
- Garden beds;
- Tiny libraries;
- Picnic tables;
- Birdhouses; or
- Modifications for seniors and/or persons with disabilities (wheelchair ramps, handrails, chair and bath lifts, height adjustments to countertops, etc.).
Men’s Sheds in other regions have also started Tool Libraries, delivered hospital beds, and repaired furniture.
Moreover, family members who are concerned about their husbands’, fathers’, and brothers’ quality of life can find respite as their relatives discover a daytime activity, comradeship, and support outside the home.
Finally, establishing a Men’s Shed on the island should reduce the demand for other senior-focused and institutional living services. Men’s Shed members become healthier overall and extend their ability to live independently.
How The Shed Is Used
As a Creative Space
Although woodworking is probably the foremost activity at a Men’s Shed, it is by no means the only one. Members also work on various other handicrafts, such as metalworking, jewelry-making, repairing electronics, candle-making, leatherwork, calligraphy, origami, paper crafts, or toy-making.
As an Area for Socializing
Arguably even more important than the creative space is a sitting area to accommodate members and visitors. There, they can engage in conversation, have a cup of coffee, or play a card game.
For Special Events
Periodically, the Salt Spring Men’s Shed may want to organize events. These may include:
- Weekly soup and bread lunches for non-members;
- Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners to bring more isolated citizens out;
- Men’s Health and Well-being events; and
- Courses for men who live alone and lack the necessary life skills in meal preparation or household maintenance, such as after the death of a spouse.
Many events will be open to the entire public.
Naturally, the Men’s Shed will fully comply with the guidelines that are set out both by a landlord and by the Provincial Health Services Authority.
Coordinator
Tristan is the initiative’s originator and has been coordinating the overall execution of the Salt Spring Men’s Shed project. He has been organizing men’s programs and events since 2015 and is the founder and coordinator of the "Men in the Mirror" group (830 registered members), for which he has led 250 group meetings to date. Tristan was the organizer and host of the 2016 and 2017 Men’s Summits in Vancouver, and he was also the director of Men Need Men (2019), a documentary about men’s groups.
Tristan became a Gulf Islands resident in 2002 and is Head of Operations at a cybersecurity business, whose clients include Amazon and the US Department of Homeland Security.
Advisory Council
We have a council consisting of on-island (and off-island) advisors who offer feedback and focused expertise in their areas of specialty.
The Advisory Council is currently made up of:
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Mike Jennings, president of the Men’s Shed Association of British Columbia
Fernando dos Santos, lawyer and founding director of Dragonfly Commons, Salt Spring Island
Kees Ruurs, former Senior Manager of the Capital Regional District and former Chair of the Salt Spring Foundation
Jim Bennett, senior advisor to the Men’s Shed Parksville and past president of the Oceanside Community MakerSpace
David Friesen, chair of the Vernon Men’s Shed
Markus Wenzel, financial planner with IG Wealth Management, Salt Spring IslandNeither the founding team nor the Advisory Council members receive remuneration.
Partners
Continued success will depend upon strong and trusted partnerships. Thus far, the following parties have agreed to a partnership, or expressed their support, to ensure the success of a Salt Spring Men’s Shed:
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Funding
The Salt Spring Men's Shed has received funding from the following organizations:
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Letters of Support
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Income Streams For Ongoing Operations
To create a barrier-free space, membership in the Salt Spring Men’s Shed is available free of charge.
The Salt Spring Men’s Shed expects to generate income in the following ways:
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Income Resulting from Donations
The Salt Spring Men’s Shed will depend on donations from members and residents. Income Resulting from the Sale of Donated Tools and Materials Like other Men’s Sheds, we expect a partial source of funding to be from the sale of items that were donated by members, or by people in the community who may be downsizing or just cleaning house. We will offer to pick up these items and repair or refurbish them for resale. Income Resulting from Selling Created Items and Rendering Services A significant number of Men’s Shed projects will be done for the community. Some will create items that are intended to be sold, some will be on "contract", some will be done for cookies, and some will be entirely free and result in a spontaneous donation. Examples include: constructing birdhouses, picnic tables, docks, greenhouses, sheds, furniture, and boardwalks; repairing or refurbishing household appliances; repairing and maintaining outboard motors; installing ramps and wheelchair lifts; and removing snow. |
Legal Status
The Salt Spring Men’s Shed is affiliated with the Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre (charity 876952110 RR0001), and is registered as a society.
