Hansard

I thank Maurice Corry for bringing this interesting debate to the chamber. I am very pleased to speak in it.

We all need company and companionship—that is very much part of the human condition. The past year has brought that home to us so vividly, as we have been unable to connect in person with friends and family. As has been said, the pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, and loneliness and isolation are the cause of much of the distress that we have had to endure. We know that it is particularly hard for the older generation, who are cut off from their families and neighbours.

The importance of men’s sheds cannot be overemphasised. There are hundreds of men’s sheds throughout Scotland. The movement began in Australia in the 1980s, and the official description reads:

“A?men’s shed ?is a community-based, non-commercial organisation that is open to men.? Men’s sheds?provide a place where men can feel included and safe. The aim of?men’s sheds?is to improve the health and wellbeing of their members.”

I have two sheds in my constituency, in Kirkintilloch and Bearsden, and that is what they undoubtedly do. Having visited them both, I know how important they are for men to gather as part of a connected community. As soon as I walked in, I could feel the warmth and camaraderie in the shed, and—coming from a family that is completely devoid of any DIY competence—I was in awe of the skills in and ingenuity of the work that was taking place there.

A helpful briefing from Age Scotland tells us that 93 per cent of shedders felt at home in their shed; that 94 per cent of shedders had made good friends; that 76 per cent said that their physical health had improved; and that 79 per cent said that their mental health had improved. Men are renowned for not speaking about their emotions, which—as we know—can lead to problems. Samaritans Scotland tells us that, in Scotland, men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide, and that middle-aged men experience higher suicide rates than other groups. What is more, less well-off middle-aged men often do not get the support that they need. Many men do not see community-based support services as being relevant to them until they have reached a crisis point.

Men are clear about what they want from a support service: the opportunity to contribute, a feeling of inclusivity, the chance to work towards common goals, peer support and the feeling that they have shared experience with someone else. Initiatives such as men’s sheds can provide a supportive space that is consistent with all those things, and can help to support wellbeing and to reduce social isolation before someone reaches a point of crisis.

However, it is important to say that people do not have to be struggling with mental health problems to join or enjoy a men’s shed. Many members are retired, many have skills that they would still like to practice and many just want camaraderie or the banter that they experience when they are working. Men’s sheds are perfect for that, as I witnessed during my visits. Tools at the ready, kettle on and a never-ending supply of biscuits—what a great atmosphere they have.

During the pandemic, men’ sheds have, like every other such organisation, been unable to meet in person, but members have been keen to keep contact in virtual meetings—as we have heard from other members in the debate—to discuss how they are getting through this terrible time and to make plans for when they return.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend the concept of men’s sheds highly enough. All the information about joining locally is available online, so if any men out there are looking for a post-lockdown boost to enrich their lives, I say join up now. It could be the best decision you make.