Why is the Cushendall Men’s Shed so important to Jo?

Her husband Andrew has suffered from depression for 20 years. In the six weeks since joining the Men’s Shed he has made new friends and embraced an interest in woodwork that was too much effort to do alone. He sometimes rates how depressed he is out of 10 to give Jo a better understanding of how he is feeling, because like a lot of people who suffer he is sometimes good at hiding it. One morning he told her that he was at a 2/10 and didn’t want to go to the shed. He forced himself to go as he knew that he didn’t have to do anything and if he wanted he could just come home. After a couple of conversations with his new friends, a cuppa and a few stories from the resident comedian he left 6/10. This might not seem high but is a big jump from 2 and he can count on one hand the times above 8/10 in 20 years and one of them was because of the Men’s Shed.

What is a Men’s Shed?

The Cushendall Men’s Shed is not just for Andrew. It has been running for less than two months and has ten members who visit the “Shed” (Ruari Og Pavilion) at least once a week. The Men’s Shed is a community based organisation open to all men regardless of age or background. It offers men a pressure free environment to share skills, make new friends and connect with their communities. The men are currently working on furniture restoration, carving and sampling the tea, coffee and biscuits on offer. They also enjoy bringing in projects they have been working on at home to share with the group.

Why do they need a Shed?

They need funds to buy a shed so they can tackle more ambitious projects, don’t have to transport tools and materials each time they come and open the shed more than two mornings a week which will give the opportunity for more men to come.

How does it help?

Men’s sheds are naturally conducive to improving men’s health and wellbeing. There are countless examples from the hundreds of Men’s sheds across Ireland and the UK of the health benefits for their members. Not only for depression but also an increase in confidence and lives have been saved by the health talks given which have convinced men to have check ups they otherwise wouldn’t have attended. Sheds also get involved in community projects making things for other organisations and giving back to the community.

Jo has run 2 half marathons in the past but this is the first time running the 26.2 miles of a Marathon. Please sponsor her and help this worthy cause so important to her family and local community.