Set up and run a shed Nicky Wheddon, Group Support Worker, Age UK Nottingham and

Nottinghamshire

Harvinder Channa, National Programmes Development Officer, Age UK

Mick Connelly, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

John Standing, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK South Lakeland

Pauline Cahill, Shed Co-ordinator, Age Concern Greenwich

Explore practicalities and challenges

The pilot sheds share their experiences of setting up and running their projects. Hear how they secured a venue, set up the day to day running of the Shed, found and engaged men in later life, and the intended and unintended outcomes.

By the end of the session you will•Draw from Nottingham’s experience of setting up a shed•Identify key practical areas for consideration before setting up a shed•Highlight challenges that could arise whilst running a shed•Build a starting point/action plan for new local sheds

Nicky Wheddon

Project Manager Men in Sheds

Reasons older men gave for not accessing our services

•Female dominated environments

•Lack of activities that appeal to men

•Services perceived as being for those who need support – not for them

•Need to feel productive rather than dependent

staff

setting uppremises

admin

men

partnership working

community engagement

Premises

•Type building – care re change of usage

•Size – Nottingham’s shed 45feet x 16feet

•Transport

•Insurance

•Challenges – Dust & Heating

Staff

• Paid staff or volunteers

• Person Specification

Members

•Criteria – men only

•Recruitment• Approach• How to reach isolated men

How would you recruit members to Men in Sheds?

Members

•Engagement – essential

• Initially

• Day to day

• Management

Setting up

•Layout

• Workshop

• Social area

• Office space

• Information and signposting

Setting up

•Tools and Equipment

•Activities

Setting upHealth and safety

•Risk assessments

•Machine tools

•Health and safety policy/guidelines

•Induction and training

•Environmental Health Team

Member’s suggested health and safety policy

‘To leave the shed with as many fingers as we came with!’

•Procedures and Forms• Toolkit

• Setting Up a Men’s Shed

•Monitoring• Kings College QUILL Assessment

• Shed Diary

• Coordinators Diary

Partnership and community involvement

Any questions?

Group activity: Think of two areas you will need to consider if you decide to set up your local shed?

Nicky Wheddon, Group Support Worker, Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Harvinder Channa, National Programmes Development Officer, Age UK

Mick Connelly, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

John Standing, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK South Lakeland

Pauline Cahill, Shed Co-ordinator, Age Concern Greenwich