UKMSA hosts ‘The Parliament Shed’
in Westminster.

This week we built a Men’s Shed at Portcullis House in the Palace of Westminster estate to raise awareness of men’s wellbeing and the Men’s Shed movement.

‘The Parliament Shed’ was custom-built with the help of Black Park Shed near Slough, with signage to highlight the health, wellbeing and social benefits of community-run Men’s Sheds and the key areas where Sheds make an impact.

From 18-22 March the Shed’s open for MPs, Peers and government advisors to try their hand at whittling whilst finding out about the restorative powers of Sheds!

We’ve had some famous faces visit so far, including former Prime Minster Lady Theresa May MP, The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party; Home Secretary, James Cleverly and leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey.

Whittling MPs

©UK Parliament_Maria Unger

“So far, in just two days we’ve met and spoken with around 100 MPs from all parties, “ said Charlie Bethel, chief executive officer UKMSA. “We’re raising awareness of men’s mental health issues and how Sheds can alleviate loneliness and help with suicide prevention.”

Shed Ambassadors Patrick Abrahams, Frome Shed, Tim Tempest from Sherwood Men’s Shed, Tunbridge Wells and Allan Clark, from Lion’s Den Shed in Keighley demonstrated and gave first hand accounts to MPs. Over the week shedders from Spen, Chorley, Camden, Black Park Shed, Rotherhithe and Sheddington dropped in to share their stories and craft skills with MPs.

©UK Parliament_Maria Unger

Discussing the issues

To help MPs understand all the issues Shedshelp with, we were also joined by experts from partners including the Zero Suicide Alliance and the Centre for Ageing Better and Men’s Health Forum.

Rob Lloyd, chair of the Trustees explained how effective the Shed was to explain the concept to MPs, “Men’s Sheds work because it’s a very simple concept people can relate to.  Whether it is a Shed building bird boxes or mending football boots and bikes to give to disadvantaged children in their communities, you can see a real pride and sense of achievement in everyone who comes through the door of a Shed.’

UKMSA joins with RBL to improve Mental Health Support for Veterans

The UKMSA also used this Westminster platform to announce a formal partnership with Royal British Legion.

‘Many Sheds in the UK have veterans in. With the Royal British Legion we hope to increase that number by helping Sheds become more accessible, particularly for people with conditions such as PTSD.  We believe this agreement will also see more Sheds opened and we can have more of an impact on communities across the UK.  We are particularly proud to be working on establishing Dementia Sheds across the six RBL Care Homes.’  explained Charlie Bethel of UKMSA.

Gail Walters, Director of Network Engagement at the Royal British Legion said:

“Many members of the Armed Forces community have unique social and emotional needs, and the effects of military service on their life experiences are not always fully understood and responded to by civilian services. The Royal British Legion’s partnership with UK Men’s Sheds will enhance support in communities for veterans, providing Sheds which are accessible and understand the needs of veterans.”

©UK Parliament_Maria Unger

Chorley Shedders Meet The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Ian & Jane Aitken and Sandy Mohamet from Chorley Shed met with their local MP, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle at the Parliament Shed, and this resulted in an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire and press coverage in Lancashire Evening News.

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/im-a-former-negotiator-but-diy-saved-my-life-4562394

Thanks to:

The Parliament Shed was donated by Wickes, Onduline and Power Sheds and was adapted by Black Park Shed in Buckinghamshire for the week-long event in Parliament. Tools, equipment and supplies were provided by Axminster Tools Ltd, TiteFix and Ronseal.

Special thanks go to Richard Payne and Alex Wade who navigated the tight arches of the Palace of Westminster to help deliver and assemble the shed with his colleague of Axminster Tools. 

In the Press

https://pressat.co.uk/releases/uk-mens-sheds-to-host-the-parliament-shed-in-westminster-e162b61f8a16c8c8a012779957a0564d/#:~:text=’The%20Parliament%20Shed’%20has%20been,where%20Sheds%20make%20an%20impact.

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/695577654/uk-men-s-sheds-to-host-the-parliament-shed-in-westminster

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_lancashire

https://www.shedworking.co.uk/2024/03/uk-mens-sheds-host-parliament-shed-in.html

https://kalkinemedia.com/news/world-news/uk-mens-sheds-to-host-the-parliament-shed-in-westminster

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/im-a-former-negotiator-but-diy-saved-my-life-4562394