“Life Wouldn't be as Full without the Shed”: New directions for men in retirement

Abstract

Men's Sheds are grassroots organizations that began in Australia and have expanded to other parts of the world. They provide spaces for men to make new friends, participate in projects together or learn new skills. Men, as compared to women tend to have smaller social networks and less support in older adulthood, therefore navigating retirement and other age‐related adjustments may be more challenging without support resources. The purpose of this paper was to explore how Irish Men's Sheds helped men with the transition to retirement. Interviews with Men's Sheds members aged 65+ (N = 37) were completed in County Limerick, Ireland. Transcripts were analyzed thematically, and two themes were identified: (1) Filling the Void and a subtheme on Continuous Achievement, and (2) Intentional Preparation. Many of the men who were interviewed were unsure how to spend their time before joining the Men's Shed. After participating, they reported enjoying the connections with other men and having something useful to do. Some men specifically sought out a Men's Shed as they approached retirement after seeing their peers struggle with the adjustment. The men perceived Men's Sheds to be beneficial and saw them as a purposeful and productive outlet to engage in. Men without access to community organizations such as Men's Sheds may be at greater risk for loneliness and social isolation in older adulthood. Policies are needed to help prepare men for the psychological transition to retirement and to help organizations such as Men's Sheds remain financially viable.