In April 2023, the Bruce Men’s Shed found its roots on the Bruce Peninsula, providing a welcoming space for older men to gather, exchange stories, enhance their skills, and form long-lasting friendships.
The Shed doesn’t have a dedicated meeting space yet, but for the Shedders, their Shed goes beyond four walls – it’s about being together and sharing experiences, wherever that may be. The group of men meets regularly and actively participates in community activities, like going on hikes (a popular pastime in the Bruce Peninsula!), building bat boxes to support the local wildlife, or joining in Tobermory’s annual Chi-Cheemaun Festival.
We spoke with a few members of the Bruce Men’s Shed – Peter (73), Ross (70), Geoff (77), and Gerry (63) – to learn more about their Shed and why the group is so important to them. When asked what their favourite activity so far has been, Peter shared “The main activity I’ve participated in has been the hikes – I am very much looking forward to other adventures. I have also come to really enjoy our monthly meetings and meeting in-person.”
Men’s Sheds are for men of any age, though older men often gravitate towards Sheds. Especially after retirement. Recent retirees, especially men, can lose many of the social outlets they once had, and the hands-on nature of a Shed is a fantastic way for older men to get out of the house and make friends they may have otherwise never met.
“It’s nice to have a group and meet some people that you wouldn’t ordinarily meet. I really believe there will be side friendships that develop from there, which is certainly a plus! Whether it’s a breakfast or supper meeting, I think they’re all enjoyable – I look forward to them whether it’s a general meeting or something specific,” said Ross.
For the Bruce Shedders, it’s not just about what you can gain from the Shed – it’s also about what you can give. The group comes from all walks of life, and speaking to their breadth of experiences and strengths, Gerry noted “We all have something different to offer! One of our members has a wood lathe, and he likes to turn wooden bowls – there are so many different activities that each of us have been involved with over time, and if somebody has a project they want to do, there [are] people we can easily reach out to.”
The men are excited for what the future holds, and for now, they strive create a welcoming space for new and existing Shedders alike. If you visit Bruce Men’s Shed, you’ll be sure to meet a friendly face: “I make a point of trying to sit beside or at a different table each meeting, to talk to different people and get to know the different members of the group. Sharing different interests, chatting a few minutes after a meeting, you can really see some connections forming,” Ross said. Summer is a busy time for everyone, and the Shed is looking forward to winter, when they’ll have more time to get to know each other even better. “Whether it’s getting a couple guys together to watch a hockey game or play cards or coffee, I think there will be some very strong relationships developing out of this Men’s Shed.”
Bruce Men’s Shed’s next big goal is a simple but monumental task: get a dedicated space to host the meetings. They hope that once they have a meeting space locked in, they’ll be able to welcome more members into their group and grow the Shed. That being said, the group appreciates the Shed that’s blossomed out of spontaneous meeting spaces and activities. The Shed is whatever the men want it to be, and to become, according to Ross: “What I like and what I’ve seen so far is that there are no perceived ideas of what it should be or how it has to be – it will be what we make of it. It’s like a big ball of clay that’s been given to us, and we can work it in and mold it into whatever we think works best for us.”
When asked what advice the Bruce Shedders would give to someone who is looking to join or start a Men’s Shed, their answer was clear: “Come on in – what have you got to lose?”
You can find Bruce Men’s Shed on Facebook! HelpAge Canada offers Men’s Shed Start-Up grants for groups of two or more men looking to start a Shed in their community – launch your own Shed today!