Sheds, Mens’, Women’s

I don't think they were set up for hookups around the back, they're men only for a reason.

Fairly sure men's sheds are geared towards retirees.

I know a place where they were trying to set one up and they wanted someone to donate land for the shed to be built on

Then they wanted a grant for some contractors to come in and build the shed, with proper toilets, insurance and other facilities.

None of the lads involved had any ideas for projects once the shed was finished

I don't see anything wrong with them being advertised as men only.

There are ICA groups for women only and active retirement groups that mixes both genders.

I get what you're saying about some women who would like the projects undertaken at the sheds.

Perhaps then suggest if the Men's Shed would like to give a worksop at a group you are a member of?

There was a representative from Mens Sheds on the radio a few days ago, and he said the most important thing in any shed is the kettle, first and foremost it's a social meeting place.

Id love to go to a mens shed. I love the idea of a bit of craic but building and making things while you are there.

There should be more of these.

I try not to consider interests with gender. While some things might be "typical" - in myself and those around me I see a mix.

I love cooking. Baking and dips are my favorites. I love DIY And Martial Arts. My children have a healthy mix of gender typical crossover interests. My son (9) baking and dance. My daughter (13) farming and firing and caring for pistols, rifles, guns in general.

They both like animals and combat sport. Neither likes horse riding much. I really do.

Despite the name many sheds are not confined to women. Simply ask. You might find yourself welcomed.

Or simply start your own if you know people with a mix of skills that would produce a good club doing good and stimulating things. The hardest part is not forming the group but keeping up the imagination required to set goals and find meaning in it. A lot of the sheds fail because they get all the setup done and then have no idea what to actually do.

Because of some local teens in my area who were getting loud and violent and disruptive I started a "Jedi Acadamy" locally. Essentially it was just a mens shed for boys - with the concept that inside it we would teach the boys everything we could that a Jedi would learn. And where we could not teach them the literal Jedi skill like levitation and mind control and other aspects of "the Force" we found the closest real world equivalents through close up magic, mentalism and NLP type trickery.

In the end it was just a Mens Shed with a fun concept / theme behind it. Martial arts, sword play, fitness, magic and illusion, some language politics and history, meditation and so on. Basically it is a full Jedi Training school. It brought life changing experiences to the kids who are no longer being anti social miscreants on the path to prison. But also the men who help me by bringing their skills to teach and use.

The other thing myself and my mates do which is just a kind of mens shed really is weaponized go kart racing. Once a year we have a big go kart race. But there is inter vehicle violence involved. Tools and equipment installed in the gokart designed to mess up the other drives or their karts. Like a Tazer array. We get a great laugh out of that one and a year of planning and working on it. The race itself is one thing but really is the smallest point of the whole thing.

Another thing I have been doing recently which I have not got off the ground yet but will soon - is "Men doing bloody hard things". Basically we are gonna find some really hard challenges each day/week/month/season of the group and get after it. The harder the better. The more varied the challenges the better. But ultimately they should just be really bloody hard.

Are you Garda vetted to work with, train and influence what sounds like potentially damaged and vulnerable children?

Garda vetting is more about protecting you than the children. I’m not sure how getting it works if this ‘Jedi Club’ isn’t an official organisation but it might still be worth looking into.

You should also looking into some child safety training courses for both you and the other guys you have on your team.

Oh we have some useful courses and stuff behind some of us - especially the two guys I mentioned who are themselves police. However entirely off topic for the subject of this thread so I would not go too deeply into that rabbit hole here save to merely put your concerns at rest if I have raised any in you.

"Sheds" whether themed or not like our one can be quite transformative though. To think some of the lads around my area were accosting little old women and intimidating them and knocking shopping out of their hands - and became lads who during covid had a route each where they were delivering shopping to little old ladies who were unable to get their own either due to age or fear of covid - doing their gardening - and later on sitting with them listening to stories of the good old days and eating cookies. It makes me proud. Mostly of them. But I reserve some pride for myself and those that helped me form the Academy.

As others have said on the thread a lot of these Sheds can stagnate or fall apart. Often the just need a goal, or a source of meaning, or a raison d'etre to drive them forward. While some might sustain themselves on "There is tools in the corner but let us just have a tea and a chat" - I reckon most don't. Not much different to the local pub then.