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United Nations, Geneva
With its European reputation burnished by the award of the European Citizens’ Prize, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) is now firmly established on the world stage.
In late March, the United Nations (UN) held the 2019 Regional Forum of its Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, Switzerland. Key stakeholders from 50 nations across the continent were invited to attend, and the IMSA was among a handful chosen to present and showcase to the assembled delegates.
Key change-makers from governments across Europe were present alongside representatives of international organisations, civil society, academia and the private sector, as IMSA CEO Barry Sheridan detailed the impact men’s sheds have had on Irish society.
“It was humbling to share our story with the nations of the world. People from right across the globe came up to me afterwards, wanting to know more about men’s sheds. I’m still sorting through the business cards now. Some of them are from organisations in places like Tajikistan. The level of interest and good will towards Men’s Sheds was amazing, especially as most people in the chamber hadn’t heard of the concept before.”
The gathering focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which the UN describes as “the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”
Proceedings were opened by Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN.
Albania’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ms Ogerta Manastirliu, chaired the forum, at which the Men’s Sheds case study was presented under the heading “Towards a World of Equal Opportunity”.
To be invited here and to see the level of interest and support out there is a real feather in the cap for every single man in every shed in Ireland, and everyone who supports them
In his presentation, Barry Sheridan spoke about the social and health benefits of Men’s Sheds to individuals and communities throughout Ireland. Delegates were particularly interested in the capacity of Men’s Sheds to construct an alternative model of masculinity based on co-operation, friendship and community engagement.
“It was a great experience,” said Barry. “To be invited here and to see the level of interest and support out there is a real feather in the cap for every single man in every shed in Ireland, and everyone who supports them.”
The case study presentation was arranged in co-operation with the Irish Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. “It just shows the profile that men’s sheds have at the moment,” said Barry, “and the recognition they’re getting at national, European and world level. It’s been some journey in less than a decade, and we’re excited to see where it goes next. But it always comes back to the same three things – the shed, the members and the community.”
Dungarvan Men’s Shed, Co Waterford
Another tale of cross-generational co-operation reaches us from Co Waterford. Digital communication rules the modern world, but our reliance on technological platforms threatens to leave older people behind.
One man’s technological wonder is another man’s inscrutable gadget. Now, one Co Waterford town is doing its very best to bridge this digital divide, and as usual the local men’s shed is at the heart of the matter.
Shane Minnock, PRO of Dungarvan Men’s Shed, informs us of the shed’s recent partnership with Dungarvan CBS: “Some transition-year students from the CBS in Dungarvan visited the shed recently and gave lessons to shed members on the use of mobile phones.”
The initiative was designed to take the intimidation factor out of the equation, and the students gave one-to-one tuition on the use of various applications, helping to demystify the entire process.
A similar programme was recently undertaken in Ballinteer, where transition year students from De La Salle College offered smartphone and computer training to members of the ever-innovating Ballinteer Men’s Shed.
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