TODAY (March 3) the Somerset Levels and Moors Shed (SLaMS) joins the UK Men’s Sheds Association as it launches the Charter for Wellbeing in Craft and DIY.

The charter has been developed to encourage people and companies working across the DIY, Craft, and Hobbyist Sector to come together to both promote peoples’ wellbeing and encourage people to get involved with groups such as Men’s Sheds.

Colin Gorton, SLaMS chairman, said: “Our Shed is tremendously proud to support this charter “It is a national campaign to promote men’s health and allows us to connect to new groups and hopefully bring more people to our Shed.

“The pandemics of anxiety, depression, and loneliness have preceded Covid and continue to grow with devastating impact on our society.

“Whilst like many diseases and conditions, these do not discriminate across gender, race, geography – the reality is that there is a greater impact on men in particular as a result of how society engages with them.

“If this was not the case, we would not see men being four more times more likely to die by suicide than women, we would not see suicide as the single biggest killer of men under the age of 46 in the UK.”

Men’s Sheds save lives, reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness, at the same time they are creating incredible things.

Charlie Bethel, chief officer of UK Men’s Sheds Association, said: “Men’s Sheds serve men and women, but it is vitally important that we particularly champion men’s health.”

The Charter is being launched at the House of Commons and hopes to bring together organisations and companies across the DIY and Craft sectors with the third sector and Men’s Sheds to identify bespoke programmes to support the wellbeing of customers, staff, and the general public.

On attending a Shed, Shedders report: 96 per cent felt less lonely; 89 per cent were not as depressed; 75 per cent had decreased anxiety; 97 per cent made more friends 88 per cent felt more connected to the community.

Find out more information about your local Bridgwater Shed at www.slamshed.org or email contact at info.slamshed@gmail.com.

For more information on the Charter and UK Men’s Sheds Association visit www.menssheds.org.uk or email admin@ukmsa.org.uk or telephone 0300 772 9626.