The UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) has welcomed the recent report released by the London Assembly, which focuses on Men’s Mental Health in London. The report sheds light on the numerous challenges that many men face in the capital, including loneliness, stress, and a lack of accessible community spaces.
UKMSA supports and promotes Men’s Sheds, which are volunteer-led spaces where men can come together to make, mend, and build friendships. These informal, practical spaces have been proven to support men’s wellbeing simply by providing them with a sense of belonging.
One shedder, 62-year-old Dave, 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 clear benefits of Men’s Sheds, many London boroughs still lack these spaces, and volunteers struggle to find affordable premises and local support to open more Sheds.
Caroline Ellis, CEO of UKMSA, stated: “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.”
For Age UK Bexley, Men’s Sheds projects are a vital part of their work. These projects focus on fostering supportive social networks while giving members the opportunity to be creative in the wood workshop. Emily Willey, Service Manager at Age UK Bexley, shared their impact survey results from 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.”
Men’s Sheds have proven to be a valuable resource for men’s mental health in London, and it’s essential that more support is given to these community-led spaces. The UKMSA and Age UK Bexley are committed to promoting and expanding Men’s Sheds across the capital, providing men with a safe and welcoming place to connect and support each other.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.