Community Activities Improve Men's Mental Health, Says Chichester Uni

Research between the University of Chichester, government and community organisations has shown that community activities improve men's mental health.

The University of Chichester has been involved in a 'Step-by-Step' project which was launched in 2017 to improve the mental and physical health of men deemed at risk of social isolation, by engaging with others in similar situations through building sheds.

It's specifically targeted at those in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

A report by the European Commission revealed that men account for 77% of all suicidents in the continent.

The concept was revised from the Australian Men's Sheds project in the 1970s, promoting interaction, providing a space for retired men to learn skills, and to socialise.

The new SBS model was co-created by community members and leaders, integrating healthcare with peer-support and skills training.

As many as 50 new sheds have already been built in the UK and Europe, attracting Shedders of all ages and backgrounds.

• 4) The collaborative Step-by-Step project was launched in 2017 and is now being evaluated by the University of Chichester
• 3) More than 50 sheds have opened across the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands, pictured here, to help groups socialise and talk about their mental health
• 2) Men account for 77 per cent of all suicides in the EU, according to the European Commission
• 1) The Step by Step project engages men in specially-built workshops to improve mental physical health of those at a high-risk of social isolation

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4) The collaborative Step-by-Step project was launched in 2017 and is now being evaluated by the University of Chichester

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Principle researcher Dr Ruth Lowry said:

“The health of men is widely recognised as falling below that of women, whom are twice as likely to receive a mental health diagnosis.

"This is confounded by men’s hesitance to seek professional help, with women twice as likely to visit a doctor.

“This project is already making a real difference to men, whether socially-isolated or suffering poor mental or physical health.

"The Men’s Shed model is highly transferable in this country and beyond and will empower individuals to re-engage with society and employment.”

Most Sheds promote mental and physical health and wellbeing through teaching new skills – with woodwork the most popular activity, followed by cooking, learning languages, or playing sports.

According to the report, more than 58 per cent of members, known as Shedders, joined the initiative for more social opportunities with other people in their community.

More than half of those interviewed reported improvements to their mental health and lower rates of loneliness.

Overcoming isolation was a common theme from the participants, and one Shedder added:

“It’s helped me with my depression. Probably once upon a time, if I was going to go somewhere and I was feeling particularly depressed, I probably would have thought ‘I don’t feel well enough to face other people’.

"But [at the Shed] I’ve gone, so it’s made me realise I’ve got a commitment to them.”

Shedders have continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic with virtual activities and new initiatives have been set up to help those living in isolation.

The impact of the pandemic will be explored in the ongoing evaluation of the project, with Shed leaders needing to think flexibly about how they continue to operate and plan activities.

Health and wellbeing specialist Andy Wood, from the University of Chichester, leads the day-to-day evaluation of the project and is assessing the impact of workshops on participants’ mental and physical health, as well as their wellbeing.

Speaking of the impact of the pandemic, he said:

“Many of the Sheds have navigated Covid-19 restrictions by moving sessions online, which has enabled members to continue socialising and benefiting mentally.

"The UK’s Centre for Mental Health recently predicted that almost a fifth of the population will need mental health support as a direct consequence of Covid-19, so we are ensuring the project remains accessible for all, to continue supporting those in need.”

The Step-by-Step project, which is led by the Health and Europe Centre, aims to engage 6,000 men across its four-year lifecycle, with 600 of them going on to gain employment.

Funding comes from the EU’s Interreg social innovation fund to address health concerns among men in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

It is delivered in the UK by Hampshire and Kent county councils and evaluated by the University of Chichester.