The UK Men’s Sheds Association has recently expressed their gratitude for the London Assembly’s report on Men’s Mental Health in London. The report highlights the various challenges that many men face in the bustling capital, including feelings of isolation, stress, and a lack of accessible community spaces.
Men’s Sheds, which are volunteer-led spaces, provide a much-needed outlet for men to come together, create, and form meaningful friendships. By offering informal and practical spaces, these Sheds promote overall wellbeing by providing men with a sense of belonging.
One Shedder, Dave, 62, shared his personal experience with Men’s Sheds: “Following the premature death of my daughter from a car crash, I fell off the rails. I felt that I did not want to do anything or mix with anybody. After finding Men in Sheds, I have rebuilt my life, and I have found a group of new and diverse friends. It has also renewed my love of woodwork. The group talk about many subjects, and it feels like a safe place to discuss many difficult subjects.”
Despite the positive impact of Men’s Sheds, there is still a pressing need for more Sheds in many London boroughs. This requires affordable premises and local support for volunteers to open more Sheds.
Caroline Ellis, CEO of UKMSA, emphasized the importance of community-led spaces in addressing men’s mental health: “London can be a fantastic city, but it can also be a lonely one. Sheds offer men a place to turn up, get involved and feel part of something. We welcome the Mayor’s focus on men’s mental health and the recognition that community-led spaces must be part of the solution. With the right partnerships, we can support volunteers to open more Sheds across the capital.”
Age UK Bexley also recognizes the vital role that Men’s Sheds play in fostering supportive social networks and providing a creative outlet for its members. Emily Willey, Service Manager at Age UK Bexley, shared the impact of their Men in Sheds project: “In our last impact survey in September 2025, 100% of our members surveyed agreed with the statement “I have formed new social connections or friendships since joining the shed”. We see new members join at moments of significant life change, including bereavement, and it’s inspiring to see how much joy, purpose, and camaraderie they find amongst their peers in the Shed.”
It is clear that Men’s Sheds provide a valuable and much-needed support system for men in London. With the support of the community and local organizations, the hope is that more Sheds will continue to open across the capital, providing a safe and welcoming space for men to improve their mental health and cultivate meaningful connections.