A £10 million initiative will establish men's sheds across London to combat rising suicide rates by providing social spaces for men to engage in woodworking and other activities. Funded by the City Bridge Foundation, the project will see fifty new sheds over five years, especially in areas like Barking & Dagenham and Hackney. The UK Men's Sheds Association believes these initiatives can significantly improve mental health and reduce isolation. The program is particularly focused on high-risk groups like middle-aged men from deprived backgrounds, aiming for a community-based approach to mental well-being.
Rachel Meadows, UK Men's Sheds Association head of development, said: “Sometimes men can find it hard to talk face-to-face, but when they're shoulder to shoulder working on a task like woodworking, it can be easier to open up.”
The £200,000 grant from City Bridge Foundation is part of a £5.8m boost for 32 charities tackling isolation, particularly among groups at highest risk of suicide such as middle aged men in deprived areas.
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