Local MSP Fiona Hyslop praises the Men’s Shed movement and Armadale Men’s Shed and the prospect of a Linlithgow Men’s Shed
Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has praised the work of the Armadale Shed and the Men’s Shed movement following a Scottish Parliament Debate on Men Don’t Talk: Men’s Sheds which was led by Christine Grahame MSP on Thursday 16th June 2022. Fiona also has added her encouragement to the establishment of a Men’s Shed in Linlithgow which is currently being explored.
Armadale Men’s Shed is well established and is a recognised pillar of the local Armadale community providing a welcoming place for men to meet to talk and to share and deploy their skills in wood working, metal working and other skills and to teach others. Women also are part of the Shed sharing there.
The debate highlighted the positive impact of Men’s Sheds and the ‘Men Don’t Talk’ play. This play by Clare Prenton was written with ten members of the Peebles and District Men’s Shed in 2019-2020. The play is an original story but was inspired by sessions at the Men’s Shed and explores what the men talk about while at the Shed.
A Shed is a community run and managed space in which individuals can undertake activities. Sheds give men a place to work on their hobbies or try new activities and also socialise and chat while they join in on the activities.
Fiona said:
“I have had the privilege of visiting the Armadale Shed in my own Constituency who are at the heart of their community and promote community values and social interaction as well as facilities for hobbies including wood and metal work.
“Men’s Sheds are an important part of communities across Scotland and provide a space for people to learn new hobbies and share expertise. They also provide a place where men can talk comfortably about big issues affecting them and get the moral support and understanding they need in a workshop environment which is familiar. The ‘Men Don’t Talk’ play expressed that Men’s Sheds are places that men who often don’t talk about issues like bereavement or age or health can do so openly and with people facing similar issues or just chat for company and enjoyment.
“I am delighted to continue to support the work of Men’s Sheds both in my own Constituency and across Scotland as they provide not only a place to take up hobbies but companionship and a place to talk for many men in our communities.
“I am pleased Christine Grahame MSP brought this debate to the Scottish Parliament to highlight the important work of Men’s Sheds across Scotland.”
ENDS
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