Many individuals and organizations working at local, regional, provincial, and national levels have been key partners and promoters of Men’s Sheds, and the ongoing growth of the movement in Canada is a testament to this collective effort.
Provincial Men’s Shed associations are particularly instrumental in spreading the word about the value of Men’s Sheds and how to get them started. They promote Shed development in their provinces, provide mentoring to new and emerging Sheds, and convene Shed gatherings to connect Shedders to meet and greet, share ideas, and learn together. There are currently provincial associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and their effectiveness is reflected in the growing number of Sheds in those provinces.
Men’s Sheds Canada collaborates with provincial associations in several ways, including:
- Promotion: lobbying governments to provide resources.
- Networking: through websites, online meetings, in person gatherings.
- Outreach: developing materials, multi-media tools.
- Education and training: workshops and seminars for Shedders and Ambassadors.
- Research: to clarify the need for men’s health policies and solutions.
- Corporate alliances and sponsorships: developing relationships with partners to leverage resources.
- Shed grants: to support new and existing Sheds.