About

Men’s Sheds help address pressing issues of social isolation, loneliness and depression in men.

What is a Men's Shed?

Men who gather to learn new skills, discover new interests, and make new friends.

Men communicating “shoulder to shoulder”.

Symbolic of the backyard shed where men chat and work on projects.

A welcoming environment where men create shared experiences and build community.

There is no therapist at the Shed. But…

  • There is friendship, camaraderie, purpose, meaning, conversation, networking, productivity, dignity, and teamwork.
  • It is a welcoming, safe, tolerant, helpful and low-pressure environment.
  • There are shared experiences, shared responsibility and a sense of belonging.
  • A low barrier to entry.

Read Richard’s Full Story 

Men’s Shed has given me purpose and a sense of contribution

Research led me to the concept of Men’s Sheds in 2008. Men’s Sheds are community spaces where men can gather, work on projects, and talk openly about their lives. Despite initial challenges, I persisted. I had one meeting in 2019, but I officially started the Men’s Shed in February 2021 by providing a space, tools, and materials. Attendance fluctuated, but I continued, partnering with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. They eventually provided a larger, rent-subsidized space, and the Shed began to thrive. Today, the Men’s Shed is a vibrant community where men meet three times a week to connect, share stories, and support each other. We’ve even started a book club and a model-building group, expanding our activities to meet diverse interests.
—Richard Nasedkin, Grande Prairie, AB

While Men’s Sheds draw primarily older men,

we are inclusive and welcoming to men of all ages.

The Men’s Shed Association of BC is a non-profit organization that acts as the over-arching support for individual Men’s Sheds across the province of British Columbia. It is governed by a Board of Directors. MSABC gratefully acknowledges HelpAge Canada, The United Way of BC and Men’s Sheds Canada for supporting the growth and development of the Men’s Sheds movement across BC.

Our Purpose

  1. To promote the effectiveness of individual sheds by providing guidance on programs that foster the well-being of men;
  2. To collectively purchase goods and services on behalf of individual sheds;
  3. To represent the collective needs and interests of independent sheds in BC;
  4. To provide advice to the public regarding the men’s shed program;
  5. To assist in sustaining current sheds and in the formation of new sheds; and
  6. To build relationships and coordinate services between sheds through economic and social activities.

Men's Shed Association of British Columbia Executive

Jan Fennema (President)
Varouj Gumuchian (Vice President)
Cliff Irving (Treasurer)
Curtis Quinn (Secretary)
Andy Ackerman (At Large)
Derek Morris (At Large)
Mark Nicoll (At Large)
Richard Simonson (Executive Member)
Chris Staddon (At Large Web Page)

Sheds, please email Jan Fennema (President) for new shed inquiries.

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