Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

Our Vision

A Canada where every man feels valued and engaged in his community, 
experiencing purpose, belonging, and well-being in his aging journey.

Our Mission

To grow and strengthen the Men’s Shed movement in Canada

 

What is a Men’s Shed?

Simply put, a Men’s Shed is a group of men who get together in their community to develop new skills, discover new interests, and make new friends. But it’s so much more than that. For many men, aging and retirement can lead to loneliness and a loss of purpose; and that’s where Men’s Sheds come in. Symbolic of that backyard workshop where men share stories and tinker with woodworking or electronics, a Men’s Shed is grounded in the idea that men communicate more effectively when they’re “shoulder to shoulder” with other men. Read More

Men’s Sheds Canada

Originally founded in Australia in the 1990s, the grass roots Men’s Sheds movement has expanded to more than 15 countries around the world. It began to take root here in Canada in the early 2000s and has grown steadily since. Canada currently has four provincial Shed associations and over 130 Sheds operating across ten provinces, with potential for exponential growth in the coming years.

Her speech is rich in content and infected the whole audience.

Men’s Sheds Canada was formed in 2022 to support both the strengthening of existing Sheds and the expansion of new Sheds across the country. Although a relatively new organization, we have emerged as a driving force for innovation within the men’s health sector and are at the forefront of addressing the pressing issues of men’s mental health and social isolation. Read More

Addressing Men’s Health and Wellness

As men age, major life changes such as retirement, widowhood, or divorce often result in social isolation and loss of purpose that can adversely impact mental and physical health. Research indicates older men experience higher rates of depression and anxiety and are at increased risk of suicide as these conditions often go undiagnosed and untreated. Studies also suggest only 30% of men who experience mental health issues seek help, often due to social stigma.

The health and well-being of aging men is a critical issue requiring national attention and resources. Men’s Sheds are uniquely positioned to help address these challenges and improve the well-being of Canadian men. In partnership with leading gerontologists, academic institutions, and health agencies, Men’s Sheds Canada is committed to conducting ongoing research on the health impacts of Men’s Sheds to support adoption of evidence informed healthcare policies.

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Video Spotlight

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What is a Men’s Shed? Simply put, a Men’s Shed is a group of men who get together in their community to develop new skills, discover new interests, and make new friends. But it’s so much more than that. For many men, aging and retirement can lead to loneliness and a loss of purpose; and […]

Read More

Stats and Facts

 

Men aged 85 and older have the highest suicide rates in Canada at more than 24 per 100,000.

For men aged 65 to 84, the rate is also high at approximately 15 per 100,000. Older men are more likely to die by suicide than women and tend to use more violent and lethal means to end their life. Contributing factors include social isolation, depression, chronic health issues, and the loss of a spouse.

 

Approximately 5-10% of older men in Canada experience significant depression, which often goes undiagnosed because symptoms can be mistaken for normal aging.

 

Approximately 21% of Canadian men aged 55 and older live alone, a rate that tends to increase with age, as a result of widowhood, divorce, or separation.

Men living alone are at higher risk for social isolation and associated mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

 

Over 30% of older men in Canada are at risk of social isolation, primarily due to factors such as retirement, loss of a spouse, and declining health.

Studies suggest a 26% higher risk of death for socially isolated older adults. Social isolation has been shown to increase the likelihood of mental health problems among older men, including anxiety and depression.

 

Men, particularly older men, are less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to stigma. Only about 25% of men who experience mental health problems seek professional help.

 

Chronic conditions common in older men, such as diabetes and heart disease, often co-exist with depression. 85% of Canadians aged 65 and older have at least one chronic health condition, exacerbating mental health challenges.

 

9% of Canadian men over 65 report problematic alcohol use. Older men may turn to alcohol or prescription drugs to cope with loneliness or depression.

 

Men who have lost their spouse face a significantly higher risk of mental health issues. About 50% of widowed men report symptoms of depression within a year of losing their partner.

 

747,000 Canadians live with dementia, and men make up a large proportion of these cases in the 80+

Why Men’s Sheds Work

 

Mental Health and Well-being

Men’s Shed participation promotes social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can help prevent or alleviate depression and anxiety in older men.

 

Physical Activity

Many Men’s Shed activities, such as woodworking, gardening, and DIY projects, encourage physical movement, which can improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of heart disease, and maintain mobility.

 

Cognitive Health

Engaging in hands-on projects and learning new skills can stimulate the brain, helping to slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of conditions like dementia.

 

Sense of Purpose

Volunteering and creating projects in a Men’s Shed gives older men a sense of purpose and achievement, which boosts self-esteem and can improve overall life satisfaction.

 

Prostate Health Awareness

Men’s Sheds often provide health education and information sessions on common aging issues like prostate health, encouraging regular health check-ups and early detection of problems.

 

Reducing Social Isolation

Men’s Sheds provide a space for older men to build friendships and engage in community activities, reducing the risk of social isolation and its negative effects on mental and physical health.

 

Support for Healthy Lifestyles

Shed members often exchange tips and information on healthy habits, including nutrition and exercise, supporting each other in maintaining healthy lifestyles.

 

Promoting Mobility and Preventing Falls

Regular participation in hands-on activities improves coordination, balance, and muscle strength, which can help reduce the risk of falls, a common issue for older men.

 

Chronic Disease Management

The sense of community in Men’s Sheds can support men managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease by encouraging them to stay active, adhere to treatments, and share health strategies.

 

Hearing Loss and Communication

Engaging in regular social activities in the Shed helps men with hearing loss practice communication skills and avoid the social isolation that can accompany hearing difficulties.

 
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Join the Shed Movement

 

Find a Shed

Locate Sheds in your area, or across the country

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Start a Shed

All you need to know about starting a Shed

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Shed Stories

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In the Spotlight

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Our Impact

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Voices from Men’s Sheds

 

The day I walked into that Men’s Shed, my life changed forever.

Jan, Fraser Lake, BC

 

From the mental health perspective, research shows that men don’t open up to strangers, they don’t open up to their significant others, but they will open up to other men — not necessarily on the first day or first week, but after a while, they will open up. They form a camaraderie.

Bob, Calgary, AB

 

I worked in my career for 38 years, sitting at a desk, eight hours a day. I like getting into a shop, using my hands and fixing things.

Barry, Halifax, NS

 

It gives us a sense of purpose. For a lot of people, once they’ve retired, they’re thinking, ‘Now what do I do?’. The Men’s Shed gets us out. It gives us a fellowship. Now that we have that, it’s something I look forward to every Monday.

Rick, St. John, NB

 

What I like and what I’ve seen so far is that there are no perceived ideas of what it should be or how it has to be – it will be what we make of it. It’s like a big ball of clay that’s been given to us, and we can work it and mold it into whatever we think works best for us.

Ross, Bruce Penninsula, ON

 

This group is absolutely important to the men in our community. They could do the same thing at McDonald’s but they want their own place to call home, and I think that’s why the Men’s Shed is so important to them. It’s an opportunity to feel free, sit down, drink coffee and share something that they probably wouldn’t share with people at home.

Rob, Brandon MD

 

The impact isn’t just on this group, it’s on the whole community. I’ve got people phoning me all the time. The town has come to realize what we can do.

Danny, Lac Brome, QC

 
 
 

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