5 December 2023 – David Burton

Men's Shed

Connection, conversation, and creation

Many men find it difficult to create and join social support networks, and can be reluctant to access mental health resources. Against this background, the global Men's Shed movement exists to create connections and conversations amongst men, and promote mental, social, and physical well-being.

The Men's Shed movement began in Australia in the late 90s and has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon. In the UK there are now over 600 Sheds. David Burton is active in Ludlow Men's Shed, giving local men the opportunity to learn new skills, share their experiences, offer and receive support, and establish new friendships.

David's talk will cover:

• The current achievements and activities of Ludlow Men's Shed.
• Is the Men's Shed sexist?
• Why do men find it more difficult to talk about personal issues?
• Why is it that it is often the partners/wives who send their men to the Shed in the first place?
• What's in it for volunteers?
• Will the internet generations volunteer?

David Burton

David Burton is a retired 'ecopreneur'. David ran an number of environmental businesses and pioneered the first paperbanks and wheeled bin recyclable collections in the UK. David says he is to blame for the introduction of fortnightly collections of household recyclables.

Upon retirement, David began volunteer work with people doing crafts in a woodland setting as part of a mental health charity until the COVID lockdown. Recognising the subsequent impacts of isolation on men in particular, and the benefits of shared DIY activity, he established Ludlow Men's Shed under the auspices of Hands Together Ludlow (a local community-supporting charity).