Massive funding announced for Men's Shed groups nationally

Local Men's Shed groups in Laois have welcomed the announcement of €250,000 in funding allocated by the Department of Health, which is aimed to promote the positive health of members. 

Over the past decade, Men’s Sheds have become a vital part of Ireland’s community infrastructure. Sheds offer men an opportunity to meet in a supportive, collaborative space, improve their health and wellbeing, and contribute to their communities.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke announced that this funding is aimed to "provide supportive environments for men to engage and increase their social interactions.”

Local Men's Shed groups have praised this news, and appealed for funding from their communities to help with repairs and maintenance of their own workshops.

"It's great news to hear," said Niall Headen of Knock Vintage Men's Shed.

"We're a group of around 20-30 members ranging from 95 years olf to 6 years old, and we've been in operation here for four or five years now," Mr Headen said.

"We restored the old chapel house in Spink. We've received great funding from the Government and County Council so far. The house restoration was a LEADER grant of around €76,000, and we received €120,000 to build a shed. Another LEADER grant gave us €30,000 to buy tools. A lot of paperwork goes into them, but they're fantastic, we're well set up," he said.

"It'd be very welcome," said Thomas Gorry of Mountmellick Men's Shed.

"Sometimes we get people in but since Covid, people are very reluctant to come in to places. We have lost members since Covid, we went from 40 to 28-30 members. In the last four years we have lost 6 members," he explained.

"We're doing well, we're after getting a grant recently for solar panels. Really we need funding for the insurance and ESB.

"Laois Partnership have been very good to us with grants. We struggle with insurance and our ESB, they're our big outlets. Our insurance alone is almost €2,000 a year. Our ESB is around 100 euro every month. Lads give a fiver every week, we might get 50 to 60 euro to keep us above water. The local credit union give us sponsorship too," he said.

"It's great news," said Ronnie Gaunt of Portlaoise's Men's Shed.

"We've done a few projects in the past through the Men's Shed Association to promote positive mental health."

"We're always looking for funding though, this never changes. If people want us to make something, we do it and they make a donation to our fund."

Val Kennedy of Portarlington's Men's Shed also welcomed today's news.

"Any funding that groups can get is always appreciated," he said.

"We have a lovely group of people here and are always open to new people. It's a happy little family, as we call it. We’re established nearly 10 years now, and its tipping along grand. We've been well looked after with grants, really and truly," he said.

"Anyone can join us, they don't have to do anything or come in and work. They can come in and sit down and chat. With today's funding, €250,000 sounds like a lot of money, but if it was divided up among the Men's Sheds, it wont be a lot."

The Portarlington Men's Shed are currently attempting to secure funding to heat the premises.

"Were always looking to try and improve the place. Where we are, the only downside is that its cold in the winter. We just can't afford to try get in a proper heating system," he said.

Pictured: €250,000 in funding allocated to the Men's Shed Association.

Rathdowney Men's Shed have hailed today's announcement as 'excellent news'.

"It is excellent news, but while €250,000 in funding sounds great, if they divide it up among the sheds across the country, you couldn't afford buttons for two fairies waistcoats," said Tony Holohan, Treasurer of Rathdowney's Men's Shed.

"Things are much quieter in the Men's Sheds during the summer, people are off on their holidays. The winter is when we'll see an uptick in work done and initiatives. At the moment our gardening is going well, and our polytunnel with our vegetables is going well too. In winter we hope to see the building of an outdoor garage for welding classes, and for servicing small engines," he said.

CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Enda Egan, welcomed the funding in an announcement today.

“We are immensely grateful to Minister Burke and the Department of Health for their continued support and generous funding of €250,000 which will help place the movement on a sustainable footing.

"This renewed investment is not only a testament to the valuable contributions of Irelands 435 Men’s Sheds to strengthen and enhance communities across Ireland but also a major acknowledgment of the positive impact sheds have on the general health and wellbeing of our members.

“Men sometimes join a local Shed to get involved in various projects or to be active in a workshop, however as time passes all men report that it is the camaraderie and social aspect that really connects them emotionally to the shed, with the kettle very often been sighted as the most important tool in the shed.

“This funding announced today allows us to continue our commitment to expanding our reach and providing truly inclusive community spaces to support all men from all walks of life and exemplifying our slogan ‘There is a role for every man in a Men’s Shed," he finished.