Conversations over cuppas in the shed help boost men's mental health

PICTURED: William Beasley and Mathew Tidball with the new equipment purchased for the newly-launched Men's Shed at the Cae Felin Community Supported Agriculture project.

A dedicated area for men to dig deep in more ways than one has been unveiled at an agricultural project based on Swansea Bay University Health Board land.

To mark World Mental Health Day (October 10), the award-winning Cae Felin Community Supported Agriculture project, based near Morriston Hospital, has officially opened a Men’s Shed on its seven-acre site.

The Cae Felin CSA is a not-for-profit organisation with staff and the public giving up their time to grow crops and plant trees along with creating a space for nature and wildlife to flourish.

Now it has an exclusive area for men to not only discuss site maintenance but mental health too.

Thanks to a £1,800 grant from Swansea Council, Cae Felin has managed to purchase new tools and equipment for a repurposed shed to aid on-site maintenance and infrastructure development.

William Beasley is a consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeon in Morriston Hospital and a director at Cae Felin.

William said: “The funds have not only helped us buy tools and equipment that can be used by the Men's Shed to support activities at Cae Felin, it has also helped create a safe and comfortable environment to support men's wellbeing.

“By working closely with the health board’s Occupational Health and Staff Wellbeing team, the men's shed is available for male NHS staff, although our doors will be open to all men in our community.

“The Men's Shed activities will include tool maintenance, building compost and propagation shelters, installing irrigation equipment, landscape work, as well as horticultural tasks to keep our fruit and veg production going.

“Alongside that, we will ensure there is plenty of time for men to talk over a cuppa and biscuits. We will be further supported by the UK Men's Shed Association as part of the wider Men's Shed network.”

Set up to provide a response to the ongoing, increasing and predominantly silent crisis in the health and wellbeing of men, the health board’s Men’s Health Group has visited Cae Felin regularly to give male staff an opportunity to boost their wellbeing.

Now the group has strengthened its ties with Cae Felin and will use the Men’s Shed during its visits.

Mathew Tidball, Allied Health Professions Lead for Occupational Health & Staff Wellbeing, said: "The health board Men's Health Group has benefited greatly from our visits to Cae Felin, where members have had the opportunity to get outdoors, connect with others and take part in meaningful activities such as harvesting, planting and landscaping.

“Spending time in a relaxed outdoor environment has encouraged conversation, social connection and a sense of achievement, all of which can have a positive impact on wellbeing.

“Building on this success, developing the Men's Shed is the perfect next step, providing ongoing opportunities for men to come together, share skills, support one another and maintain those important connections.”

Paul Dunning, Professional Head of Staff Health and Wellbeing, said: "A new Men’s Shed will play a significant role in helping support the health and wellbeing of our staff, particularly those working in demanding, high-pressure environments.

“Evidence suggests that Men’s Sheds are particularly effective in engaging men who may be reluctant to access traditional support services, helping to challenge the stigma that still exists around men’s mental health and creating opportunities for peer support and improving psychological wellbeing."

Email caefelincsa@outlook.com for more information.