Crafting Community Together: The Story of the Cold Lake Men’s Shed and Age Friendly Cold Lake

In 2019, Cold Lake Alberta saw the inception of the Cold Lake Men’s Shed, spearheaded by Wayne Warner. Drawing from his military experience, Wayne noticed that older men often didn’t get the mental health support they need and was motivated to take action. Speaking to the stark transition between working life and retired life, he shares: “Yesterday, you had 30 guys you were working with in the hangar. When you retire, that gate is shut – all those guys you thought were your friends are inside that fence, and you’re on the outside.” Determined to make a difference, Wayne began researching online and discovered Men’s Sheds.

At the same time, Age-Friendly Cold Lake, a seniors’ services organization founded in the same year and led by a group of community leaders, including Diane Stonehocker, had similar goals to Wayne. They wanted to address the biggest needs of older people in Cold Lake, like transportation, grief support, and social isolation. Recognizing their shared aims, Cold Lake Men’s Shed joined forces with Age-Friendly Cold Lake, becoming an integral part of the organization and one of their most popular programs.

With the support of Age Friendly Cold Lake, Cold Lake Men’s Shed officially launched in 2019. Speaking to how the collaboration is a win for both the Men’s Shed and Age-Friendly Cold Lake, Diane gives us an example: “The minute a bunch of guys get together for Shed activities, they’ll need to handle fundraising, organizing, liability, and so on. Joining an organization like Age Friendly means they don’t need to worry about that on their own.”

Today, the Shedders enjoy meeting twice a week, working on projects like hand-carved comfort birds and an accessible picnic table at the long-term care facility. They’ve helped the entire Cold Lake community with various needs, including creating shelves, flower boxes, and even specialized items like corn holes for the Humane Society’s fundraiser.

The Shed’s open-door policy extends to individuals with dementia, providing a safe space for them to connect with others. Whether men are seasoned auto mechanics, retired carpenters, or just looking for a spot to hang out, the Cold Lake Men’s Shed invites any man to join.

You don’t need any specific skills to become a Shedder with Cold Lake Men’s Shed – just be ready to learn, collaborate, and have fun! Skills are something that can be shared, and the Shed thrives on the idea that each member brings a unique perspective and skillset to the table.

Wayne and Diane are excited to grow Age Friendly Cold Lake and have plans for the Men’s Shed, including building a second wheelchair accessible picnic table for the local long-term living facility.

The partnership between Age-Friendly Cold Lake and the Cold Lake Men’s Shed has become an inspiration to other Sheds across Canada. They are proud to work together and fulfill their mission of providing a safe and welcoming community for older adults in Cold Lake.