Shed Open Day - Raising awareness of Men’s Health & Wellbeing

Shedder Jim Collis is encouraging people to come along to a special ‘Open Day’ being held at Bromsgrove Men In Sheds (Unit 1, Metal & Ores Industrial Estate, B60 4JZ) on Friday 30th June (10am-2pm).

Bromsgrove Men In Sheds was recently contacted by South Worcestershire Healthcare team as part of their campaign to promote Men’s Health and to encourage more men to access the support and screening services that are available via the NHS. As a consequence, the Shedders decided to hold a special ‘Open Day’ this coming Friday which will include a visit by the NHS Health Van, offering free Health Checks along with a range of information and advice.

When asked about the NHS van’s visit to the Shed and why men typically are a ‘hard-to-reach’ group, Jim said,

‘Men are men, they tend to dismiss or ignore things…to be honest, if the wife doesn’t pick it up, most men just tend to carry on. I am a classic example. My wife noticed something on the back of my leg when I was coming out of the shower – I responded ‘what-are-you-talking-about-it-is-just-a-spot’ and just ignored it. The ‘spot’ continued to grow and it wasn’t until it had reached the size of 50p piece that I finally listened to my wife and went to the Doctors. The Doctor then told me it was cancer but, as it had grown so much, it couldn’t be simply cut out. At one stage they were talking about amputating my leg – fortunately that did not happen, but if only I hadn’t ignored that spot’.

Jim has long been an ‘ambassador’ for Bromsgrove Men In Sheds and the important role that it plays in supporting the wellbeing of those that attend;

‘When I lost my wife I was really depressed. I tried a few things in Bromsgrove, different ideas and clubs, and then I saw an advert for Men in Sheds. I joined and that really helped and, ever since then it has really lifted me up and I couldn’t do without it, and that’s the honest truth.’

When asked how he has seen the Shed develop over the last few years, Jim said,

‘It has grown, and has grown in different ways. We are getting more people coming here now, often through loneliness, and it is really helping them out…it is not so much a practical club but more of an educational club…we are getting to know each other in different ways, talking over problems that we have got between us…it is really helpful. The Shed really is a wonderful place and it is great that we are doing things like having the NHS Van visit to help raise awareness of ‘all aspects’ of Men’s Health, and that we are helping to spread the message wider across the community’.

For more information (including details on how you can get involved with and support the Shed) please contact Jo Hughes at Age UK BRWF (01527 868855/ jo.hughes@ageukbrwf.org.uk).