Men's shed for women...is that a thing?

[BrickingIt44]

Men's sheds is an organisation set up to improve men's mental health because they're more likely not to seek help or have anyone to talk to than women. It's a great cause, I fully support it. But is there anything like that for women?

The assumption seems to be that women have people to talk to about their mental health - friends, sisters, family etc. But what about those of us who have no one?

I have family (just parents, no partner or kids) but I can't talk to them. I don't have any friends but of the friends I've had in the past we never talked about things like that.
I know there are groups for women like the WI but it's not the same sort of thing. Is there a group for us lonely weirdo women with no one to talk to? With or without the woodworking element?

I'd ask my local men's shed if I could join but I don't know if that would make anyone uncomfortable.

I don't know of groups run specifically for women where I live, other than ladies book groups, but in most areas I think there's been a push in recent years to create social groups. They're run by lovely, kind people who make everyone feel very welcome. If you're on Facebook, general groups for your town or village/area are a mine of information for social/activity groups. My local Tesco has a big board with details of local activities.

Where I live there are lots of initiatives. Your county council's website may have information on wellbeing activities, and in my county there's a Kinder (then name of county) project that has groups in the different areas. They run free walking sessions, buggy walks for mums, and social meet ups in a pub/lounge and the community hub. Other groups run art and craft projects and seated yoga classes amongst other things. Most of these activities are low cost or free.

Local Mind branches often also run community groups both on and off site, and I don't think you necessarily need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to access them.

I agree. The one in my town was set up by a widower who had a passion for woodwork and wanting to combat loneliness in men in similar situations.
When he started posting on SM about it, he had comments from women declaring it unfair that they could not join. So now this "Men" Shed is for everyone now.

A lot of GP surgeries have a community navigator/social prescriber. They will know about the various groups out there.

I know a men's shed that accepts women

The menopause group in my town accepts men, so I couldn't even go to that.

There will be a lot. Ask your GP receptionist about social prescribing.

There will be ones attached to churches, community centres etc.

Search wellbeing cafes .

Does it need to be women only?

Try this-
https://openmindsuk.org.uk/

or this
https://hubofhope.co.uk/services

Google community support groups, mental health community support groups, things like that.

There are a lot of daytime groups. It may be harder if you need evening only.

Look for Tangent groups near to you as well. It's an off shoot of the Round Table organisation but it's purely for friendship and spending time together with other women. Ours has done day trips, wine tasting as well as a monthly coffee and cake evening and then a monthly activity like painting or life drawing or bowls. Just whatever the members suggest and we can agree on. First couple of meetings are usually free.

Agree.

I would like something similar too OP. I don't want a book club, or a craft group, or a zumba party. I just want to chat and "be still", preferably with a coffee.

I'm a member of my local Bluetits swimming group. All women, swimming and sharing the ups and downs of our lives. Something about being in nature doing something we love together seems to make it easy to share things I wouldn't with anyone else. Maybe swimming's not for you OP, but something similar in an activity that interests you might be ideal.

Our local men's shed is a woman's shed some days during the week and a shared shed on others. They raise a lot of money for charity. Not just weirdos but the lonely, bereaved and just people who want a laugh too.

That's...literally what I'm trying to do. Hence this post.

Buggered if I know 😆

Thanks all. Didn't mean to start a whole thing about women being allowed in a men's group and whatnot. I'm not going to join the men's group. Even though I quite enjoy woodworking.

There are women's groups and mental health groups in my area, but they're all during the day and I work 9-5.

I would set something up but a lot of the time it's hard enough waking up and going to work, never mind setting up a social group and having to publicly admit I'm a lonely weirdo.

Weekend walking group/ramblers association.

That is understandable.

My local Mind used to have a group on the weekend that was very popular. Not everyone struggling with their mental health is non-working.
There is a distinct lack of weekend and evening groups out there.

I hope you find something.

Contact one of the organisations already listed and point out there is nothing for people who work 9-5.30pm

Also, have you checked what’s available at work? My work subscribes to confidential services we can contact. Depending on your workplace, would you feel comfortable asking whether anyone else is interested in a meeting?

My treat to myself was a gorgeous shed. A male friend who helped with cutting back shrubs remarked it was a beautiful shed. It has lots of tools 💞

It's easy to start up a group in your local area via social media. There's a walking group in my area that's very successful. edit - it's female only.

What like women's Institute?

My local Men's Shed does low key, accept women. None have joined because, I secretly think, its full of the men we have at home that we need a break from. 😁
I know what you mean though, I've tried WI, a local activity social group, etc. I still havent found my group, but think thats me.

That accepted men.

https://www.hugofox.com/community/frome-shed-12888/womens-shed/

this is the one I go to. It’s mostly older women….im 60 and except one lady who comes with her mum I’m the youngest one! It’s a nice group though, I joined in when I was new to the area and wanted to meet other women. I don’t go weekly as I work pt but go when I can.

There's certainly a women's shed in my home city (not UK), and I can't imagine it's alone.

There maybe a Soroptimist group near you?

Soroptimist International GBI (SIGBI) - a women's organisation share.google/5Z5ghLT3cBGgKR1Uy

When I retired early all my mates were still working I joined a couple of women’s walking and hiking groups. Also tried a crafting group and stuff like that. There is the red hat group as well. By default almost all people join groups like this solo. Do not overthink it.

There are usually a good number of groups just for women. I wouldn't want to go along to a group set up for men.