Men in Houston and Granisle are being invited to connect, share stories, and build community through a growing movement called Men’s Sheds.
Recently, an information session was held at the the Granisle and District Seniors Society Hall. The event included a presentation introducing the concept of Men’s Sheds— community spaces where men can gather, work on projects, and support one another.
A short video from Men’s Shed Canada and a slideshow presentation developed in B.C. were used to explain how the sheds promote men’s mental health, reduce isolation, and offer meaningful activities after retirement. The idea is "symbolic of the backyard shed where men chat and work on projects," the slideshow said.
“It’s all about puttering around doing things … working side-by-side or shoulder-to-shoulder,” said Jan Fennema, president of the Men’s Shed Association of British Columbia, who lead the meeting in Granisle. He said the spaces created by Men’s Sheds allow men to “talk about things they may not talk to their spouse about, their doctor about, or anything else.”
Fennema shared the success story of his home shed in Fraser Lake, which recently purchased a building to expand its reuse store and workshop space. The group donates its profits to the community and builds everything from wheelchair ramps to trophy cabinets.
Though there isn’t a Men’s Shed in Houston yet, there isinterest. A table promoting the idea will be set up at the craft fair at Silverthorne Elementary on April 26. While a previous meeting saw little turnout, some locals, including Mayor Shane Brienen, have voiced support, and Fennema said he is hopeful momentum will grow.
A Men’s Shed in Burns Lake is also in the works, Fennema said.
Across the province, Men’s Sheds are gaining traction, according to Fennema. He said he recently attended a healthy aging conference in Richmond where the organization saw plenty of interest.
“From that we've already made, I'm going to say, roughly about eight Sheds,” he said. “It’s growing much faster than I expected.”
