We are going to build a Man Shed at our mental health resource centre in Surbiton.
Our Man Shed will support good mental health, by helping men feel good about themselves, by being productive, feeling valuable, making friends and keeping the mind and body active.
It will be a friendly, safe, welcoming meeting place, where men can come together to find meaning, purpose, friendship and belonging.
It will help reduce loneliness and isolation but most importantly it will be fun. It will be a place where men can share their skills and knowledge with others, learn a new skill or redevelop skills they already have. It will make them feel valued. It will be a safe and busy environment but without pressure.
Our Man Shedders will each decide what they want to make, upcycle, repair or refurbish.
Most of the tools have been donated we need funding for a new floor, outside decked area and lockable storage .
It will be open 2 days a week initially on a Monday and Thursday between 10am-3pm.
What we'll deliver:
- Put a new floor in existing building
- Buy new work benches
- Build outside decked work area
- Buy awning for outside decked
Why it's a great idea:
Suicide is the most common cause of death for men under 49 years in England and Wales and men are three times as likely to commit suicide as women. Men are less likely to seek help for their mental health issues and are at more risk of social isolation than women as they tend to make friends less easily than women and don't take part in as many social groups.
More than one in 10 men are lonely but would not admit it.
Our Man Shed can't promise to solve all of that but what we can promise is to provide a safe place where men will be at less risk of social isolation, where they can make friends, feel valued and reduce their risk of developing mental health issues. Men with existing mental health issues will have the support not just of other shedders but of our team here at our mental health resource centre. We hope some will gain the skills and experience needed to become volunteers themselves or to find paid employment should they seek it.
Steps to get it done:
- Lay flooring in the Man Shed
- Source benches
- Clear wasteland area
- Deck wasteland area
- Open Man Shed in June
Our project will have a very low environmental impact. The Man Shed will reuse, recycle, upcycle and mend. It is using an existing building and an area of wasteland will be transformed into an attractive decked work area using recycled timber.