1. Sleights Area Men’s Shed www.sleights-area-mens-shed.org.ukwww.sleights-area-mens-shed.org.uk Go there

2.  An activity, and a network beyond the activity, bringing men together:  to do what they want to do,  to meet others,  to participate in shared interests  to ‘hang out with other men’  to utilise skills and to learn skills  to be a part of the local community and to contribute to it  Sheds are a daytime activity. Therefore for those not regularly working  Retired men  Unemployed or underemployed men of any age  Men unable to work of any age  And sometimes women Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 2

3.  Each Shed is unique – they are shaped by the objectives, the ethos, the men who come, the premises and the equipment/skills available.  However, they have a common purpose to allow supportive friendships to develop amongst the members.  Supportive? An example. It may be apparent from conversation that a Shedder is worried about something. Then, as one in a family, a Shedder may act as a buddy to share the burden. Possibly no one else even realises.  It’s about men trusting each other to care about each other, something women find rather easier to do.  Is the practical aspect of a Shed the most important characteristic? No, it simply provides activities that men can enjoy allowing them to relate.  “Loss” is frequently the common factor. Bereavement, becoming unemployed or moving location and being separated from familiar banter, restricted external contact through caring for a dependant with a serious illness, being depressed and separated from true self are typical forms of loss. Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 3

4.  The defining ethos of SAMS is expressed in the following:  The Shed is not the most important thing, people are - Shedders and their families  SAMS is not a club for DIY enthusiasts. It is there for men who need it.  Food banks deal with personal food poverty; Sheds aim to help with the impacts of personal isolation  Shedders are encouraged to both give and receive support from each other  Shedders will respect one another, though that may not always appear to be the case because of the banter, which puts back some of what men miss  Shedders are jointly and severally responsible for health & safety in day to day practice against the backdrop of a SAMS health and safety plan  SAMS will help the Littlebeck, Sleights and Whitby community of which it is a part  SAMS must be fun. Oh, yes it must! Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 4

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7.  One of the “core six” saw the Sale Men’s Shed in Oz and realised its worth  The six each needed something to motivate them during their periods of varied “loss”  Widowers  A carer  Incomers  The under-motivated with memories of better times  Those lacking opportunity to help others as they used to  Agreement by Littlebeck Chapel (the people!) to house and host the Shed  Concurrently, Coast & Vale Community Action signposted NYCC Stronger Communities programme (start up) and Living Well (confirming the need)  A successful funding application, a Constitution and referrals  Operational January 2016 in preparations, formal launch March 5 th. © Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 7

8.  There is history and experience as a sound foundation to SAMS  Vested in the founding six was experience of related work with:  the homeless (= rootlessness, hopelessness)  community resettlement of offenders (= restoration, support)  food banks (= family support)  education (= understanding motivations  collaborative research in industry (= team building)  practical experience with tools and technology  meeting the public (= confidence to relate, Street Angels)  exercise classes (= inclusion, empowerment)  mental health (= professionally and personally)  voluntary sector and multi-agency working (= trust, joint opportunities)  The experience/know-how that people possess is astounding. How about you? © Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 8

9. A 1000 WORD PICTURE © Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 9 Acknowledging different kinds of help offered and drawn upon YCH Yorkshire Coast Homes WEC Whitby Evangelical Church CAB Citizens Advice Bureau SBC Scarborough Borough Council CaVCA Coast & Vale Community Action

10. EXAMPLE REFERRERS ADDED! © Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 10 Self and friend referrals Living Well Carers Resource Yorkshire Coast Homes Rural Watch Churches Referrers signpost men who may benefit from SAMS.

11.  Results to date April 2016  A place equipped as a shed  Tools, equipment, storage, wi-fi  Some home comforts too  A group of 17 who are the Shed  Operating now 2-days a week  A web-site that replicates the atmosphere of SAMS  New Sheds (independent of SAMS)  At different stages of development in:  Danby, Filey & Whitby  Members of UK Men’s Shed Assoc.  Outcomes to date  Testimonies of the impact SAMS has already had on individuals www.sleights-area-mens-shed.org.uk/member-bites/ www.sleights-area-mens-shed.org.uk/member-bites  Growing understanding of the needs that others have – empathy  A network outside of SAMS days has established spontaneously  Helping in Littlebeck without being asked. Family.  Acceptance of differences  Acceptance that comments are tongue in cheek – not insults!  People, councils, agencies, churches and businesses can work together to achieve a “good thing”. All take credit. Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 11

12. Sleights Area Men's Shed 2016 12 Shed conversation [limited > frequent] how relaxed? [up tight > fully at ease] new regular contacts [pre-Shed> post joining Shed engagement with activities [remote > fully engaged] spectrum of outside activities [none > several ] In development Each axis is intended to be a quantifiable (or qualitatively assessable) measure of progress. This would be undertaken voluntarily and individual results known only to the individual. The overall aim is to demonstrate the benefits of SAMS through the experiences of the Shedders.

13.  Loneliness affects 5-7% of older men [2000 population in Sleights; 33% older, 50% men = 20]  Social isolation and stressful social ties are common, linked with poor physical and mental health, higher risk of disability, poor recovery from illness and early death  Finding activities for older men is challenging. They are less likely to join groups and make new friends than corresponding older women  Participation in ‘work-like’ activities provides a sense of achievement and belonging  For example ‘Men’s Sheds’ facilitate learning, skills improvement, knowledge sharing, a sense of accomplishment. Plus providing opportunities for social engagement in a fun manner  Their aim is to improve physical, emotional, social and spiritual health and well-being  Encouraging and engaging men in informal learning is considered particularly important.  Sheds are flexibly tailored to the local context, rather than being standardised  Some men noted that prior to coming to the Shed they were very sedentary   Participation returns a sense of purpose, achievement and self-worth Sleights Area Men's Shed 20s 13

14.  Transferable learning drawn from experience of Scottish Men’s Sheds:  For community initiatives to succeed they must be what that community needs and wants  There is capacity and assets in communities to tackle initiatives if they identify with the need  One size does not fit all, however tailoring works  Flexibility is required to find a solution to meet local need  The needs of a community should be identified by that community  Organisations serve communities and should not try to fit communities into their policies, priorities, programmes and processes  Organisational support is required to establish a community initiative. They should be a connector and facilitator rather than a doer  Initiatives do not always require significant sums of money for success. Non financial support is as important and can take many forms  Initiatives may not be that measurable or be evidence based; they may be creating the evidence Sleights Area Men's Shed 20s 14