Set up and run a shed
Nicky Wheddon, Group Support Worker, Age UK Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire
Harvinder Channa, National Programmes Development Officer, Age
UK
Mick Connelly, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire
John Standing, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK South Lakeland
Pauline Cahill, Shed Co-ordinator, Age Concern Greenwich
Explore practicalities and challenges
The pilot sheds share their experiences of setting
up and running their projects. Hear how they
secured a venue, set up the day to day running of
the Shed, found and engaged men in later life, and
the intended and unintended outcomes.
By the end of the session you will
•Draw from Nottingham’s experience of setting up a shed
•Identify key practical areas for consideration before setting
up a shed
•Highlight challenges that could arise whilst running a shed
•Build a starting point/action plan for new local sheds
Nicky Wheddon
Project Manager
Men in Sheds
Reasons older men gave for not
accessing our services
•Female dominated environments
•Lack of activities that appeal to men
•Services perceived as being for those who need
support – not for them
•Need to feel productive rather than dependent
staff
setting up
premises
men
partnership
working
community
engagement
admin
Premises
•Type building – care re change of usage
•Size – Nottingham’s shed 45feet x 16feet
•Transport
•Insurance
•Challenges – Dust & Heating
Staff
• Paid staff or volunteers
• Person Specification
Members
•Criteria – men only
•Recruitment
• Approach
• How to reach isolated men
How would you recruit members to Men in
Sheds?
Members
•Engagement – essential
• Initially
• Day to day
• Management
Setting up
•Layout
• Workshop
• Social area
• Office space
• Information and signposting
Setting up
•Tools and Equipment
•Activities
Setting up
Health and safety
•Risk assessments
•Machine tools
•Health and safety policy/guidelines
•Induction and training
•Environmental Health Team
Member’s suggested health and
safety policy
‘To leave the shed with as many fingers as we
came with!’
•Procedures and Forms
• Toolkit
• Setting Up a Men’s Shed
•Monitoring
• Kings College QUILL Assessment
• Shed Diary
• Coordinators Diary
Partnership and community involvement
Any questions?
Group activity: Think of two areas you will
need to consider if you decide to set up
your local shed?
Nicky Wheddon, Group Support Worker, Age UK Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire
Harvinder Channa, National Programmes Development Officer, Age
UK
Mick Connelly, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire
John Standing, Shed Co-ordinator, Age UK South Lakeland
Pauline Cahill, Shed Co-ordinator, Age Concern Greenwich