Men’s Sheds have increased in popularity in the Stewartry over the past few years.
The groups allow men – and the odd woman – to get together a few times a week and work on projects.
In the process they help increase members’ confidence as well as their hands-on skills and let them get involved with the community.
They’re similar to the good old fashioned garden shed but the main difference is they encourage people to get out of the house and make friends rather than working away on their own.
Last week, Moffat hosted Shedfest D&G – a celebration of the region’s Men’s Sheds groups, what they do and what they’ve achieved. We went along to ask people why Men’s Sheds are so important.
Dalbeattie Men’s Shed is the most successful in the Stewartry, having been named the best in the UK in 2017 and winning a partnership prize earlier this year.
Vice chairman John Forrest said: “It gets you out the house and you can put something back into the community. Latterly, when I was at work I was very much on my own and it’s great to be back in among people and doing things with the community.”
Fellow Dalbeattie member John Lind is also a fan of the Men’s Shed.
He said: “I go on a Tuesday and a Thursday and it’s something I look forward to very much. You get a lot of banter, you get your coffee, tea and biscuits and we sort out everything that needs done.
“We do quite a lot for the community and it does us the world of good.”
One of the newer Men’s Sheds in the Stewartry is the Glenkens branch. Member Chris Jowsey said: “It helps reduce isolation, increased health and wellbeing.
“It just makes people feel happier. We put the world to rights three times a week.”
Stuart Rhodes added: “I’ve got 30-odd new friends who I hadn’t met before.”
For more information about Men’s Sheds, visit https://menssheds.org.uk/
