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Men’s group movement “The Shed” coming to Stettler

Club open to women
13032426_web1_TheShed

By Emily Jaycox

For the Independent

The men’s group movement “The Shed” that started in Australia may be coming to Stettler soon.

According to the Canadian Men’s Sheds Association’s (CMSA’s) website, sheds are “friendly, inclusive and creative spaces … [where] men get together for activities like woodworking projects, cooking, bike repairs, music and yelling at the television during the playoffs.”

The first Canadian shed was formed in 2011 and CMSA was founded in 2015.

Robin Carm has been active with the Edmonton shed group for two years and hopes to launch a shed in Stettler in the spring.

The shed helps retirees who find their social life lacking, or who may no longer have a workspace, said Carm.

“It’s for guys who don’t have a basement, rumpus room or garage.”

A goal of The Shed is to keep seniors engaged with their community, improving their health and well-being, said Carm.

Carm is planning on moving to Stettler next year to be closer to his son, and has already begun laying the groundwork for the new shed in Stettler.

Possible meeting locations for the Stettler shed are the Royal Order of Purple or the Elk’s Hall, said Carm.

Some of the activities Carm plans to do with the Stettler shed include leatherworking, jewellery making, wood burning, making jigsaw puzzles and pottery.

“Whatever the guys want to do, they can do,” he said.

“That’s the great thing about The Shed: there’s no mandate.”

There is no set age limit for sheds, but it tends to attract people aged 40 to 80, says Carm.

The group, although primarily for men, also welcomes women, said Carm.

“If they want to cuss like sailors and hold power tools that’s fine by me.”

Carm first heard of The Shed while attending a support group “Men Without Hats.”

The first step to forming a Stettler shed is to see how many people are interested, said Carm.

He’s been “testing the waters” by putting up posters around town.

The next part of the process would be to set up a board, get insurance, get established as a non-profit and apply for funding from the Heritage Fund, said Carm.

He also plans to set up a website and Facebook page for the Stettler shed.

Those interested in joining the Stettler shed can contact Carm at 825-510-4040 or at robin@orangeshedmesngroup.com.

For more information about The Shed, visit www.menssheds.ca.