I don't know about you but I seem to remember spring lat year as being a bit of a heat wave. Just having had two weeks off at the end of March, I was looking forward to some walking in them there hills. But as I only have my ducking badge from the swimming lessons, I thought it wise to avoid the countryside altogether in case of water wing emergency.
As for the snow, well, that took us by surprise a bit. We all have that picture in our heads of Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas' while the back  of the building is removed to reveal a wonderful snowy scene, and we all feel snuggled and warm in our reminiscences. The reality, however was somewhat different. The ice storm on top of the snow fall created what can only be descried as 'treacherous' conditions. I couldn't make it out of the road on foot, never mind in a car. Even the dog struggled with the Creme Brulee of ice that accompanied his trip for a drip. 
The second fall of snow caused an even bigger headache as the accompanying cold conditions froze pipes up and down the island, which burst once the ground started to thaw. Newport was in serious danger of having its water supply cut off while mains pipes were frantically being fixed by the gallant people from Southern Water. The Isle of Wight Council brought in staff and various voluntary organisation (including Age UK IOW) to deliver bottled water to those who are recorded as being 'vulnerable'. In the end the water stayed very firmly on, much to everyone relief. 
We British are well known for being obsessed with the weather. Well, can you blame us? 

These last few weeks have been rather hectic in the IOW Shed world. We launched a new shed at Shanklin, alongside a crowdfunder appeal so that the shed can have a floor. We have also been working with Corf Camp and Ellcestone George and ARC environmental at Sandown to get the PLUTO shed off the ground. The Newport shed is looking lovely and will be a valuable asset within the community. Ventnor Shed is on the move and the Music Shed is proving popular. 
The West Wight area now has a shed at Totland (Turf Walk), a shed with the most amazing views ever. Hidden away among the trees, this shed was an overgrown space previously used for grounds keeping equipment. The men have cleared the ivy, given it a lick of paint and are now waiting for some items to be moved out so that work can begin on the interior. Although not a large shed, it is certainly a draw to passing locals. The image below is the view form this shed - the best Men's Shed view in the country - unless someone else would like to offer a better shed view picture.  

'Sheds instead of Meds' Now this is how we should be talking about the Men in Sheds movement. 

Imagine a sixty something man walking into his doctor's surgery, a year after retirement. After a chat the doctor decides that the man has depression. Should the doctor prescribe anti-depressants or should the doctor prescribe a Shed? Is the way we think not just about mental health but physical health changing in the future?
For someone who has been through the process of depression, counselling, anti depressants, the delay between needing help and getting help can be a long and tortuous one. 'Try and get out more' was something that I heard often. When all you want to do is hide under the covers all day or lose yourself in someone else's rubbish life watching Jeremy Kyle,  then 'getting out' is not the thing that is likely to put at the top of your 'I am motivated to do this' list. 
'Why not visit a shed' however, may just be enough to spark the need for human company, without the pressure of begin expected to participate in bouncy conversation, tell my most intimate life story or show off skills that I quite frankly don't possess. 
When I talk to men about the sheds, 'you can turn up and just sit and drink tea all day if you like' . Pop along, I will make sure someone knows you are coming' (walking into a room full of strangers can be daunting for someone with low self esteem or lack of confidence). 'Just come along and pop your head around the door, you don't have to stay if you don't want to'. 'I will go along with you if you like'. Invariably the men stay and eventually join in with the activities and the banter. To watch the transformation from being an almost a broken man to one who is the first to welcome new members, telling jokes and agreeing to take on more and more projects, is a miracle indeed. 
Probably much better than being told 'take these tablets every day and come back and see me in a few weeks'. (although the need for medication cannot be underestimated, a combined approach may yield better results and sooner)

When I say that I am looking to set up a shed in the area, they usually say 'but there is no room for a shed' . Ah-ha, I respond. Men in Sheds is not about a building, its about the men. I often refer to a 'Shed' as a collective noun for a group of men. 

We have a 'shed' within a shed at Newport and Ventnor, a 'Shed' working alongside another community group at Shanklin, a 'Shed' that meets in a cafe in Freshwater and now a music 'Shed', meeting in a live music venue for a weekly jamming session. So if you think of a shed as a place where men can meet and pursue a collective interest, then the possibilities are endless. 

Last week I attended the UK Men in Sheds Association 'Shed Fest' (I feel an IOW Shed Fest in the air for 2017)

The conference centre was full of men (and women) who are all involved with the men in Sheds movement in some way, mostly as Shedders themselves. When I hear the stories of how Sheds have turned men's lives around, and even saved lives, my job becomes much more than just a job. 

If you want to find out more about why Sheds are so important to men, then you can watch this fantastic clip form a TEDx talk.