
Founded 3 years ago based on experience of Sheds in North Yorkshire going back to 2015, Norton Men’s Shed (Norton-on-Tees that is) has been progressive. We had to be, because the space in a Portacabin is limited particularly when it is the only place to work, meet and play together.
It started twice a week (Tuesday and Friday mornings) but expanded in the autumn of 2023 to meet on a Monday. A day when bigger projects could be tackled was planned. However, it did not develop in that direction.
Rolling up came Wheelchair Steve with his “pushy” daughter. He was referred via Social Prescribing. We had started to build a drawbridge access for just such a person but then saw a vehicle wheelchair lift for sale locally. We were fitting it to the Portacabin at the time Steve came.
Another man joined, prone to anxiety, who wanted to chat rather than work (a tendency with many Shedders in fact). So Monday soon morphed into a chat Shed but with some lathe work going on as well.
Monday took off for some folk (plenty of banter and pulled legs) but so had the main Shed days. Space was a problem. Thanks to our landlord (Norton Sports Charity) we were offered additional workspace, where we had completed the construction of a life size war horse, dog and pigeon for a display at the Children’s Remembrance Service held in November at the sports complex.
Next, Norton Sports Charity wanted a WW1 cannon built for November 2024 for which we needed space! Half-sized thankfully but still extremely large when assembled.
We doubled our work space and the potential to grow numbers at a session from around 10 to about 18. That growth happened but also accompanying growth of social prescribing to a team of about 10.We worked with local Social Prescribing Link Worker support as Norton Shed developed. What support? Their encouragement and their contribution as our first trusted referral channel for potential Shedders. Their need met our evolving solution.
Into the Shed in late Spring 2024 came an unknown lady. A clue was the identity card she wore on a lanyard. She was a new social prescribing link worker specialising in cancer support. She enjoyed DIY herself but her need was solving the problem many support services have – men! Reaching men is often difficult because they don’t really respond to tea and cake invitations. Nor do they like to hear the word “support”. Their macho side kicks in.
It was in June 2024 that the thought came that maybe we should expand to a fourth morning a week with a session for men with a cancer diagnosis. A morning that they could have a hand in running themselves. It was the way we had shaped operationof Norton Men’s Shed anyway.
And so it was that Shedding Light Into Cancer was conceived, a new Norton Men’s Shed stream for men with a cancer diagnosis and working through the personal consequences of it. Cancer comes in different forms with one of the most common connected to men’s waterworks. In the UK, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Note the title is Shedding Light Into Cancer. It is not intended to be an information or advisory service but aims to be “a ray of light” into the lives of men coming to terms with cancer. The light comes through being with others and doing (a bit!) with others who share a similar well-being experience. Conceived in June 2024 and delivered in September working with cancer-focused organisations and charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, NHS Northern Cancer Alliance and Northern Cancer Voices.
Nearly 3 months into Shedding Light Into Cancer there are now strong bonds between attendees including a few non-cancer sufferers to season the mix, Wheelchair Steve being one of those!
The Shed is progressive in what it does practically. We have moved into 3D plastic printing of objects designed by computer-aided design, laser cutting and wood engraving. Design uses software freely available on the internet learnable/doable at home too.
A model railway is a departure much dreamed of by several Norton Shedders. It needs space and again it seems our landlord can potentially provide. It embraces many model-making approaches from cardboard, plastic, ply, even matchsticks.
If your Shed works with cancer-diagnosed men we’d be pleased to hear from you, email us nortonmensshed@gmail.com and to learn from you!
Stretch your mind to navigate the depiction of Social Prescribing in the illustration below (of Canadian origin).
It is a reminder that Social Prescribing does not just involve professionals. Sheds and other voluntary/community organisations are key to it. They provide many of the local activities and support initiatives people are referred to.Shedders know the power of the Shed. It can lift people from disabling despair simply by providing something to do outside of themselves, involving others having issues also and making a personal contribution. Helping recover interest and much needed purpose.
One Thursday Shedder shares . . .
“I only started Norton Men’s Shed a few weeks ago after my cancer surgery, I have found it very helpful as part of my “ living with cancer” journey.
I had been encouraged by the cancer support team to attend cancer chat groups but I didn’t want to sit around just chatting with others over a cup of tea.
The Men’s Shed is a very informal group of people focussed on creative things, and friendships are made with others as a result. There is no fixed agenda. Cancer related chats can occur one to one or in small groups, while enjoying activities.
Being able to share experiences with others in similar situations is very empowering, helping to make living with cancer more acceptable.
The UK Men’s Sheds Association has a postcard saying, ”When Men’s Sheds thrive they change men’s lives”._Oh so true.
This is a story of several journeys – of partnerships, people, progression, contributions of talent, skills and effort, and of inclusion, diversity and friendships. It’s the story of Sheds! All journeys are about Step by Step Moving Forward.
Graham Storer, Norton Mern’s Shed www.normens.org.uk