“I was a loose-end, I couldn’t find a job… I really didn’t know what to do with myself.”
After leaving Zimbabwe in 2011, Alan Alison found himself in London, struggling with loneliness and a lack of purpose. Whilst searching for ways to keep himself busy, he came across the ‘UK Men’s Shed Association’ (UKMSA), a non-profit providing practical places for older individuals to come together through woodworking, pottery and other creative activities.
Alan says that “AgeUK mentioned that I should try visiting the ‘Camden Town Men’s Shed’ and I did, since then it has been my lifeline, it’s given me purpose and is something I look forward to every week”.
Credit: Freddie Logan
Whilst the shed offers a variety of activities, including woodworking and pottery, Alans specialism is in making wooden bowls.
Whilst sanding down one of his current projects on a lathe machine, he spoke about the mix of individuals who attend the shed, stating that “Anyone is welcome… if they don’t know anything about carpentry or pottery then we will teach them“.
He goes on to discuss that whilst the craft-making is an integral part of the shed, “Its really just a way to get older people out of the house to stop them from vegetating in front of the TV all day… it gives people a feeling of achievement and sense of home which is increasingly rare nowadays.”
Alan spoke about the integral role these initiatives hold, stating that another member of the ‘Camden Town Men’s Shed’ believes that attending has saved his life.
“Human’s need to feel useful, we need to feel like we have a reason to keep going.”
“In a city like London, where everything is becoming so expensive, its a rare and special thing to have access to a supportive community and activity without it costing an arm and a leg.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
In 2023, the World Health Organisation officially recognised loneliness as an epidemic.
According to a study by the ‘Campaign To End Loneliness’, nearly 50% of individuals in the UK (25.99 million people) feel lonely “Sometimes, often or always”, a figure that has rose by over 3 million people since 2020.
In response, grassroots initiatives and community run events are responding by fostering un-intimidating and practical ways to combat loneliness.
‘Men’s Sheds’ are a community ran movement first started in Australia to address the needs of men who are facing retirement and need something to give them purpose.
The movement has spread around the world, with there now being over 1000 sheds in the UK under the ‘UK Men’s Shed Association’ (UKMSA).
When asked about why their strategy works so well, the UKMSA had this to say:
“Working ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ enables people to feel valued and better connected, allowing opportunities for conversation in a non-direct way… Men’s Sheds provide the space and opportunities to address isolation, loneliness, lack of connection and purpose as well as poor mental and physical health.”
The UKMSA’s 2023 ‘Health and Wellbeing Survey’ highlighted “loneliness, isolation, a reduced sense of self-worth and loss of purpose” as the primary reasons driving people to join these activities. Stating that “Sheds can be great places for those who may be experiencing feelings of disconnection or low mood, giving an alternative to more traditional talking based support groups.”
“Its kind of like coming to work in a way”.
Credit: Freddie Logan
Ken Ainsworth, another member of the ‘Camden Town Men’s Shed’, talked about what this part of his routine means to him, touching on the isolation many retired men feel.
Ken spent his career as a shoe designer before moving on to work with ceramics. Attending the shed provides him with a workshop to continue his craft whilst also giving him time to socialise and get out of the house.
“I think after you retire, many men who spent their whole life working are left with nothing… there’s this tangible feeling of isolation that can be really hard to escape.”
“Coming here helps to keep those feeling at bay and provides a space for me to continue my creative work.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
Ken discussed how mental health remains a taboo subject among older individuals and how he would be unlikely to attend something labelled as a ‘support group’ or ‘therapy’. Having the practical background of woodworking or ceramics, however, provides a more accessible and welcoming place to open up.
“Many older men maybe would feel intimidated by the concept of a support group, we are very traditional and often shy away from talking about our mental health in an upfront way.”
“These sheds provide a way to talk about our feelings in a way that feels natural and not intimidating, it really works for me.”
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Standfirst
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HeadlineA Look Inside London’s Men’s Sheds
Short HeadlineA Look Inside London's Men's Sheds
StandfirstHow workshops are rebuilding a sense of community.
“I was a loose-end, I couldn’t find a job… I really didn’t know what to do with myself.”
After leaving Zimbabwe in 2011, Alan Alison found himself in London, struggling with loneliness and a lack of purpose. Whilst searching for ways to keep himself busy, he came across the ‘UK Men’s Shed Association’ (UKMSA), a non-profit providing practical places for older individuals to come together through woodworking, pottery and other creative activities.
Alan says that “AgeUK mentioned that I should try visiting the ‘Camden Town Men’s Shed’ and I did, since then it has been my lifeline, it’s given me purpose and is something I look forward to every week”.
Credit: Freddie Logan
Whilst the shed offers a variety of activities, including woodworking and pottery, Alans specialism is in making wooden bowls.
Whilst sanding down one of his current projects on a lathe machine, he spoke about the mix of individuals who attend the shed, stating that “Anyone is welcome… if they don’t know anything about carpentry or pottery then we will teach them“.
He goes on to discuss that whilst the craft-making is an integral part of the shed, “Its really just a way to get older people out of the house to stop them from vegetating in front of the TV all day… it gives people a feeling of achievement and sense of home which is increasingly rare nowadays.”
Alan spoke about the integral role these initiatives hold, stating that another member of the ‘Camden Town Men’s Shed’ believes that attending has saved his life.
“Human’s need to feel useful, we need to feel like we have a reason to keep going.”
“In a city like London, where everything is becoming so expensive, its a rare and special thing to have access to a supportive community and activity without it costing an arm and a leg.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
In 2023, the World Health Organisation officially recognised loneliness as an epidemic.
According to a study by the ‘Campaign To End Loneliness’, nearly 50% of individuals in the UK (25.99 million people) feel lonely “Sometimes, often or always”, a figure that has rose by over 3 million people since 2020.
In response, grassroots initiatives and community run events are responding by fostering un-intimidating and practical ways to combat loneliness.
‘Men’s Sheds’ are a community ran movement first started in Australia to address the needs of men who are facing retirement and need something to give them purpose.
The movement has spread around the world, with there now being over 1000 sheds in the UK under the ‘UK Men’s Shed Association’ (UKMSA).
When asked about why their strategy works so well, the UKMSA had this to say:
“Working ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ enables people to feel valued and better connected, allowing opportunities for conversation in a non-direct way… Men’s Sheds provide the space and opportunities to address isolation, loneliness, lack of connection and purpose as well as poor mental and physical health.”
The UKMSA’s 2023 ‘Health and Wellbeing Survey’ highlighted “loneliness, isolation, a reduced sense of self-worth and loss of purpose” as the primary reasons driving people to join these activities. Stating that “Sheds can be great places for those who may be experiencing feelings of disconnection or low mood, giving an alternative to more traditional talking based support groups.”
“Its kind of like coming to work in a way”.
Credit: Freddie Logan
Ken Ainsworth, another member of the ‘Camden Town Men’s Shed’, talked about what this part of his routine means to him, touching on the isolation many retired men feel.
Ken spent his career as a shoe designer before moving on to work with ceramics. Attending the shed provides him with a workshop to continue his craft whilst also giving him time to socialise and get out of the house.
“I think after you retire, many men who spent their whole life working are left with nothing… there’s this tangible feeling of isolation that can be really hard to escape.”
“Coming here helps to keep those feeling at bay and provides a space for me to continue my creative work.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
Ken discussed how mental health remains a taboo subject among older individuals and how he would be unlikely to attend something labelled as a ‘support group’ or ‘therapy’. Having the practical background of woodworking or ceramics, however, provides a more accessible and welcoming place to open up.
“Many older men maybe would feel intimidated by the concept of a support group, we are very traditional and often shy away from talking about our mental health in an upfront way.”
“These sheds provide a way to talk about our feelings in a way that feels natural and not intimidating, it really works for me.”
