A 'MAN Shed' taster session will be held on Wednesday (January 29).

It will run from 11am until 12 noon at the Sedbergh Youth & Community Centre, Huddersfield Road, to gauge interest for a men-only activity.

Staff are keen to know whether men in the area would be interested in a weekly session where they can meet like-minded people and take part in activities such as pool, table tennis, darts and more.

Centre manager Arnie Butterfield said: "We have seen a keen interest from male clients to form a Man Shed type activity at the centre.

"Although we have men attending mixed groups here, especially in the older age bracket, we feel many of them would benefit from a space to chat and support each other.

"We’d also like to encourage more men to get involved and Man Shed may be the first steps for many to do so.”

The centre has highlighted the importance of men's mental health and how isolation and unemployment can contribute to an increased risk of poor mental health.

It says there more than 300 male benefit claimants in the Sedbergh Centre locality, which is higher than the England average.

Men are invited to turn up on the day.

For more information, ring the centre on 01274 679843 or email sedberghcommunitycentre@yahoo.co.uk

What is a Man Shed?

According to the UK Men's Sheds Association they are "a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending".

The association says: "They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter."

Why are they needed?

"For a long time research has shown the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on a person’s health and wellbeing," says the association.

"Recently we have seen more evidence come to light that shows loneliness and isolation can be as hazardous to our health as obesity and excessive smoking.

"Surveys from mental health charities are finding that millions of people report feeling lonely on a daily basis.

"Men typically find it more difficult to build social connections than women, and unlike women of a similar age, less older men have networks of friends and rarely share personal concerns about health and personal worries. It is not the case for all men, but for some, when retirement comes, it can feel like personal identity and purpose is lost.

"Men’s Sheds can change all of that.

"Sheds are about meeting like-minded people and having someone to share your worries with. They are about having fun, sharing skills and knowledge with like-minded people and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

"As a by-product of all of that they reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow men to deal with mental health challenges more easily and remain independent, they rebuild communities and in many cases, they save men’s lives."