The garden shed is no longer a man’s sacred refuge. Retired men across the UK are being encouraged to forge social connections and friendships while wood making – all in the welcoming space of a ‘shed’.

Men in Sheds is a service run by local Age UK community groups that brings together fellow DIYers who could otherwise be home alone.

The scheme has become a ‘social lifeline’ for Simon Farr and Neil Macdonald, who regularly attend Age UK Cheshire’s Men in Sheds project. Mr Macdonald has dementia but his confidence and sense of purpose has been helped ‘immeasurably’ by his friendship with Mr Farr, who despite being younger than most of the men, is recovering from a stroke.

“It’s helped me out so much with my rehabilitation,” said Mr Farr. “Neil and I both have memory problems…we both are one another’s bit of medicine and when you get the two of us together, you can imagine the fun we have.”

During his time at the shed, Mr Macdonald has made a large selection of bespoke pens that he has gifted to The Queen and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as a school for underprivileged children in New Zealand.

Lead researcher, Dr Jenny Fisher, said: “The number of older adults who live alone in the UK is increasing and while this is of concern for men and women, older men are particularly at risk of being lonely and socially isolated. Weak social connections, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poor health and wellbeing, especially for older men.

“We found that men often don’t have the same opportunities for social activities as women or older men are just less likely to join community groups. With the exception of Men in Sheds, there are limited opportunities for men to engage in community-based social activities.”

According to Age UK, men can often hide their feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. For more information visit:www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/men-in-sheds/

Leymar Healthcare provide Homecare Services in Ashfield and 24 Hour Live in Care in the UK to vulnerable adults in their community. Please contact our office on 01623 360 193 or email us at info@leymarltd.co.uk.