Dorking Men’s Shed has to be one of the most dynamic places I have visited in a while. I went alone on Thursday (14/12/23) morning to have a look at the “shed” which is actually a lovely converted church building that a group of men took on, renovated and made into a home for any male in the area to come along and use. The feeling in there was relaxed, informal but also highly productive in that many of the men were crafting wooden items from signs to bird houses to an exquisite wooden bench in commemoration of a local lady who had sadly passed away. Talking to the team there I soon learnt that this Men’s Shed is far more than a place for men to hang out in. It can be a life saver, a place of sanctuary and a place of community that supports every single person regardless of their age, religious or ethnicity.
I am very clear in my positioning on charities like this – we have to think way beyond money and recognise the tremendous social value they bring. Men’s Shed not only go out tidying the streets supporting community projects and broadly volunteering they also save the NHS fortunes by tackling mental health issues, they stop police resources being used dealing with anti-social behaviour and the awful aftermath of suicide and they create communities which help everyone else around them. It is impossible to ever put a true monetary value on this but I am confident it is just about priceless. It is circular charity in a way.
I will always be an advocate for organisations like this and am prepared to support them however I can. The people running them are real heroes.
If your son, your dad, your grandfather, your brother, your husband or your friend are feeling lonely and depressed, Men’s Shed may be the sanctuary they need.