Concerns grow for future of Men’s Shed groups in Causeway Coast and Glens

East Derry SDLP MLA Cara Hunter has warned that Men’s Sheds in the area are at risk of closure if funding is not secured.

Ms Hunter’s concerns follow news that National Lottery funding for the groups is set to end in September. 

The SDLP woman said: “The potential ending of funding for Men’s Sheds projects across the North is an alarming prospect that must be averted. Men’s Sheds projects provide men an important opportunity for community, skills development, and sense of purpose.

“Men are too often forgotten when we consider socially vulnerable members of our society and Men’s Sheds projects are fantastic spaces for men to enjoy community, to learn and share skills, to feel self-worth, and to make the connections and friendships vital to leading healthy, happy, socially rich lives. 

“Currently, the National Lottery funding that has been essential to the success of these projects looks to end in September. I am calling on the Executive to act urgently to secure funding so that these projects may continue into the future. Too many men in our society suffer from loneliness and isolation, the consequences of which are known to be acutely detrimental to health and well-being.”

The MLA highlighted the work local men’s sheds do in East Derry. 

“Mens Sheds projects in my own constituency provide priceless opportunities for men to broaden their social horizons, put their skills and talents to practical use, and avail of mental health services that they may not otherwise access. I’m mindful of the need to protect the Men’s Sheds services in Limavady, Portstewart, Foreglen, Cornfield (Coleraine) and Laurel Hill at risk, and I’m conscious of the devastating impact that their loss would represent to the men that use them and their communities.

“Today I’m urging the Department of Health to explore all options to secure funding of Men’s Sheds projects across the North. By securing a sustainable long term funding strategy for these services we can provide peace of mind to the men that benefit from these services and ensure that these communities can thrive into the future, protecting the health, dignity and wellbeing of our men.”

Catherine Taylor, Programme Director at Be Safe Be Well Men’s Shed, Limavady commented on the worrying prospect of cuts to the Programme. 

She said: “Our five Men’s Sheds are a vital part of the communities in which they are located across the Causeway Coast and Glens Area. The loss of these Mens Sheds would be devastating not only to the men, but also to their families. The Sheds promote mental health recovery and wellbeing as well as reducing isolation and loneliness.  The withdrawal of this service to our members would dismantle years of hard fought community development in areas of high deprivation, in which we were invited to create the Mens Shed Projects.”

Catherine added: “We are asking everyone to sign the petition to Save Our Sheds. The petition will be presented to health and communities ministers.”

Find and sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/SaveOurSheds