Men’s Sheds in Ireland: Learning and well-being Technology, Health and Wellness in Older Age 5 November 2013 Digital Hub Dublin Bill Lockhart

Background 2009 1sr shed in Ireland opened May 2012 – 55 sheds September 2012 -73 sheds November 2013 – 170 sheds and growing!!!

Q1 WHO participates in men’s sheds, for what reason and what outcomes? Key Questions Q1 WHO participates in men’s sheds, for what reason and what outcomes? Q2 What shapes attitudes of older men towards learning beyond the workplace? Q3 How does participation in learning in sheds affect well-being of older men? Q4 Should we create dedicated men’s learning spaces and programmes for older men in Ireland?

Research carried out by Dr Lucia Carragher (2013) The Netwell Centre, School of Health and Social Science, Dundalk. Used a national sample of Irish men’s Sheds Used both qualitative and quantitative methods Two surveys: one collected data on participation (who, why and what outcomes?) In depth focus group interviews Comparable with Australian research (Golding et al. 2007 and 2009)

Results: Participant questionnaires returned (n=347) Incomplete questionnaires excluded (n-50) Response rate: 65.2%

Who participates in Men’s Sheds? 70% aged 50 or over 18% aged 30-49 years 10% under 30 years 55% are retired and in receipt of pension 15 % are employed

Who participates in Men’s Sheds by education background? Primary school (21%) Lower secondary school (18%) Upper secondary school (9%) Technical qualification (20%) Diploma or equivalent(15%) Degree or above (15%) 45% are current or former qualified tradesmen

For what reason? Primarily for male company All experiencing life transitions ( retired or made redundant) “ To get out of the house” reported by 91% Economic motivation not a main reason but 34% hoped to get more paid work.

With what outcomes? 100% reported enjoying the social aspect 99% reported the freedom of participating when they want 91% reported improved wellp-being 74% said that it made them feel happier at home “.. You’ll get a man who’ll say I’m taking such and such a tablet and you will saying I’m taking the same. And he’ll say what are you taking them for? Once it starts…”

More Outcomes Few participants reported having a positive educational experience in school but… Over 75% are more engaged and eager to access further learning in a shed. “ .. I always had the interest in woodwork but I didn’t have the machinery to do much and the opportunity is here and I want to develop that”.

Summary Two Core Strengths Social aspect Hands on practical activities Helping with life transitions Combatting social isolation Addressing poor mental health Maintaining health Sharing and developing skills Having a sense of control

risk factor for disease out there. Nothing can compete.” “We typically think of stress as being a risk factor for disease,” said Cole. , “We typically think of stress as being a risk factor for disease,” said Cole. “And it is, somewhat. But if you actually measure stress, using our best available instruments, it can’t hold a candle to social isolation. Social isolation is the best-established, most robust social or psychological risk factor for disease out there. Nothing can compete.” Quote from Steve Cole UCLA School of Medicine in “The Social Life of Genes” Pacific Standard September 13. ng our best available instruments, it can’t hold a candle to social isolation. Social isolation is the best-established, most robust social or psychological

This helps explain, for instance, why many people who work in high-stress but rewarding jobs don’t seem to suffer ill effects,while others, particularly those isolated and in poverty, wind up accruing lists of stress-related diagnoses—obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, stroke. Despite these well- known effects, Cole said he was amazed when he started finding that social connectivity wrought such powerful effects on gene expression.  

ly 22,000 genes in the human genome, Of roughly 22,000 genes in the human genome, the lonely and not-lonely groups showed sharply different gene-expression responses in 209. That meant that about one percent of the genome—a considerable portion—was responding differently depending on whether a person felt alone or connected. ly 22,000 genes in the human genome, the lonely and not-lonely groups showed sharply different gene-expression responses in 209. That meant that about one percent of the genome—a considerable portion—was responding differently depending on whether a person felt alone or connected.