Abstract:
Background Men’s Sheds organisations in New Zealand occupy an important niche for older men to participate in health activities in their broadest sense. They are based on the Australian movement and follow the international growth of the concept. Predominantly older men come together to do woodwork and metal work and other constructive activities, within a Shed structure. Increasingly Men’s Sheds have collaborated with community groups, organisations and institutions to provide practical ‘hands on’ intergenerational mentoring projects for young people. Given the inequitable health status of older men compared to women, the literature about the importance of social participation, and about the role that intergenerational mentoring can play in benefiting community, this research explores the phenomenon of Men’s Sheds within the New Zealand context. Method: This research surveyed 27 Men’s sheds in New Zealand in 2014. It explored descriptive details of the organisations, particularly focussed on the extent to which they were participating in intergenerational mentoring, and followed up with 10 in-depth interviews. This data was complemented with 136 health EQ-5D questionnaires received back from the men in the sheds surveyed. Findings 39.2% of the Men’s Sheds surveyed are currently involved in intergenerational mentoring and 57% had been involved at some time. The young people come from community groups, organisations and institutions such as schools, home schooling, local councils, and in some sheds there are large numbers attending for holiday programmes. Analysis of the in-depth interviews indicated that these programmes are popular in the majority of Men’s Sheds running them, and the sheds not participating are keen to get started. There is mutual learning between the older men and the younger people, and the older men gain a sense of purpose and achievement from helping young people to learn. The self-rated health of men who participate in Men’s Sheds appeared to be better than those who do not use the organisations, and the men who do intergenerational mentoring in this setting have better health again, although it is not possible to establish a causal relationship. However, the fun and enjoyment gained from the involvement has the potential to act as a protective mechanism against depression. There is a positive impact on the community in which the Men’s sheds are situated, through their contribution to social cohesion, social capital and on society in general, through contributing to continuity of culture and utilising the increasing resource of the older generation. Conclusion. Men’s sheds are well established in New Zealand and are an important setting for activities such as intergenerational mentoring which can utilise the untapped potential of the growing retired generation, and have a positive effect on their health, through mechanisms of social participation and indirectly through improving social cohesion and social capital in a community.