The Men’s Shed: Trench Warfare in the 21st century

What?!?

Trench warfare?!?

The Boy/Man Crisis:

• It’s a crisis of education. Worldwide, boys are 50 percent less likely than girls to meet basic proficiency in reading, math, and science.
• It’s a crisis of mental health. ADHD is on the rise. And as boys become young men, their suicide rates go from equal to girls to six times that of young women.
• It’s a crisis of fathering. Boys are growing up with less-involved fathers and are more likely to drop out of school, drink, do drugs, become delinquent, and end up in prison.
• It’s a crisis of purpose. Boys’ old sense of purpose—being a warrior, a leader, or a sole breadwinner—is fading. Many bright boys are experiencing a “purpose void,” feeling alienated, withdrawn, and addicted to immediate gratification.
• It’s a crisis of loneliness. Labelled an epidemic by WHO, correlated with physical disease and premature death. Health risks equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes/day. Men are particularly prone to isolation.

What is the problem the Men’s Shed is trying to solve?

• Isolation
• Lack of purpose
• Lack of guidance

What makes the Men’s Shed unique? How does it solve these problems?

Shoulder-to-shoulder

What does a Men’s Shed look like?

Port Moody Men’s Shed

The Shed repairs a home for a Ukrainian refugee family.

Coquitlam Men’s Shed

Building and maintaining a vegetable garden in the local Homeless Shelter.

East Shore Men’s Shed

Repurposed and maintain the old schoolhouse for the community.

Burnette Street Men’s Shed — Maple Ridge

They were asked if there is a way that men with dementia could benefit from the Men’s Shed.
10 birdhouse kits were fabricated and taken to Baillie House, an assisted living facility.

Victoria Men’s Shed

• Founded Feb. 2023 after a 45 minute phone conversation with Men’s Shed BC president.
• Currently meeting every 2nd Thursday @ 8 pm at the 4 mile pub/bar

Victoria Men’s Shed (continued)

• Wide range of demographics (mid-twenties – mid-seventies)
• Changed oil/filters on 4 vehicles for families/individuals without the time/resources

What can you do?

3. We need leadership assistance.
4. We need a Shed.
5. We need connections.

Thank you.

Our website: https://victoriamensshed.ca/
My email: Brendan@victoriamensshed.com
Men’s Shed Association of BC website: https://bcmensshed.ca/