Celebrating International Men's Day with Lancaster Men's Shed

Lancaster Men's Shed is hoping to have an open day before Christmas so people can find out all about their future plans and about the community group.

International Men's Day on November 19 is also an opportunity to focus on men’s health and wellbeing; social, emotional, and physical.

For example, it’s possibly not so well known that men are statistically just as likely to die of prostate cancer as women die of breast cancer – approximately 33 men per day or over one per hour.

In terms of suicide shockingly men make up three in every four suicides.

In 2018 13 men per day took their own lives in the UK with Lancaster, Chorley and Preston being areas with slightly higher rates than the UK average.

Men in their mid to late 40’s are the age group at greatest risk. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted that men make up a higher proportion of all deaths.

These statistics point up the stark realities of the challenges that can face men living in today’s society –and doesn’t include the increasing scale of unemployment among men –and not just older men.

With over 1 million graduates and a similar number of over-55’s currently unemployed there is a growing number of men who are either unemployed, underemployed or in need of retraining.

Sadly, many men with valuable skills, work and life experiences sit at home feeling isolated, their useful lives effectively over.

The Men’s Shed movement which numbers about 600 throughout the UK and growing at the rate of about one new shed opening every week are specifically designed to help men overcome some of these issues by providing a friendly and supportive activity-based environment.

Since July the Lancaster Men’s Shed has gradually been establishing itself at their Kanteena site off Edward St, and due to being able to work outside have kept a small group of between 6-12 ‘shedders’ busy.

"We’ve laid some good foundations for our Men’s Shed, said David Munro, the project coordinator, "and now thanks to funding from the City Council and the County Council shortly we will be able to expand to offer a drop-in with social activities as well as provide indoor facilities for a range of woodworking activities."

Lancaster Men’s Shed had intended to mount an open day today to promote their work and their future plans but those plans temporarily are on hold.

They hope to mount a similar event before Christmas.

For up to date information about the Open Day and their activities go to their website http://menshedlancaster.co.uk or visit their Facebook page.

There is also information about helplines and organisations aimed specifically at supporting men.