MEN'S Sheds have become an important space for many to use throughout lockdown and beyond, but now one city university is helping them to reach as many people as possible.
Men's Sheds have grown in popularity over the past few years, with the spaces giving men a chance to take part in practical and social activities.
A new study by Glasgow Caledonian University has proved its importance in society by improving the mental and social wellbeing of older men tackling loneliness and isolation.
The sheds are run by volunteers and began after first being launched in Australia in the 1990s.
Since the first Scottish shed launched in 2013, the scheme expanded, with 190 in the country today.
One of the sheds which have seen success over the past few years is Barrhead Men's Shed.
Bill Core, co-founder of the Barrhead Men's Shed, said: "When I was semi-retired, I remember sitting in the house fed-up, thinking to myself what is my life going to be like when I'm fully retired? What the hell am I going to do?
"It's fine in the summer if you can get out and do things but, in the winter, when the weather is bad, it can feel as if the walls are closing in. You find yourself looking up into the sky and thinking how long do I have before I'm up there?
"The Shed gave me a purpose to get up in the morning, it was a place to go to meet people like myself, keep busy, have a laugh and enjoy myself."
Bill says that not only has the shed give him and other members activities to concentrate on, but also created a support network for like-minded people.
He said: "The guys look forward to coming and arrive with a smile on their face and leave with a smile on their face.
"You get satisfaction from helping other people, from keeping minds active. A lot of members had high powered jobs in the past, there's a real cross-section of society.
"Some of the stuff we've produced has been donated to local schools and nurseries, so the whole community is benefitting from the Shed.
"If anyone is sitting at home and thinking they would like to come along my advice would be put on your coat and do it. You won't regret it, it will change your life for the better."
Now Glasgow Caledonian University is helping to expand the reach of these types of spaces to help as many people as possible with a brand new 'toolkit'.
The 'toolkit' has been created in partnership with Scottish Men's Shed Association, Scottish Government, and Age Scotland.
Dr Hutcheon said:"It comes at an important time.
"There is a lot of competition for funding at the moment. The toolkit will hopefully help Sheds expand, survive and sustain."
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