The Sheds for Sustainable Development Project focuses on supporting Men’s Sheds in Scotland to be both financially and socially sustainable. Key components include: the collection and analysis of data pertaining to the development challenges that sheds may face; the co-creation of viable solutions to help sheds develop and sustain; and the evaluation of the potential health and wellbeing benefits associated with being a member of a shed, and taking part in shed activities. The project has two key aims: 

• To identify the key development challenges facing sheds and, through action research, implement entrepreneurial changes enhancing the sustainability and viability of the sheds; 
• To explore, using mixed methods, the health and wellbeing impacts of shed activities on their users and how sheds may contribute to a preventative spending approach to health and care.

Briefing Reports

• Briefing report 1 - Sustainable Development of Sheds
• Briefing Report 2 - The health and wellbeing impacts of Sheds
• Briefing Report 3 - Sheds as an alternative route for male health engagement

Publications

• Kelly, D., Steiner, A., Mason, H. and Teasdale, S. (2019) Men’s Sheds: a conceptual exploration of the causal pathways for health and wellbeing, Health & Social Care in the Community, 27(5), 1147–1157.  
• Kelly, D., Teasdale, S. Steiner, A., and Mason, H (2021) Men's Sheds in Scotland the potential for improving the health of men, Journal of Public Health Policy​.
• Kelly, D,. Steiner, A., Mason., H and Teasdale, S. (2021) Men's Sheds as an alternative healthcare route? A qualitative study of the impact of Men's Sheds on user's health improvement behaviours. BMC Public Health

Mens Shed Toolkit ‌‌

Project Lead: Artur Steiner

Project Team: Danielle Hutcheon, Artur Steiner, Simon Teasdale, Helen Mason 

Sustainable Development Goals