We are supporting the Samaritans who are keen to invite Men’s Sheds to participate in ‘Brew Monday’.

The message from the Samaritans is:

When it’s cold and grey outside, getting people together to connect over a warming cuppa helps to make us feel better and manage the ups and downs of life.
This winter, we’ll be encouraging people to have a Brew Monday to brighten up a cold and grey Monday or any other day that suits them. They can use their get-together to raise money for Samaritans, so someone having a really tough time has somewhere to turn if they need us.

Brew Monday will be launching on 20 January 2020, the third Monday in January, which is usually known as ‘Blue Monday’. Blue Monday is often described as one of the most difficult days of the year, but at Samaritans we take this with a pinch of salt. It’s not backed by any scientific evidence and we know that people can struggle to cope at any time of the year.

For Brew Monday 2020, Samaritans in Wales would love to invite Welsh Men’s Sheds to get involved and help them promote the importance of talking. We would like to encourage Men’s Sheds across Wales to hold a get-together with tea and cake and most importantly, a good old chat.

To get involved and express your interest, please email wales@samaritans.org We will let you know how to set up your event and sign you up for a free Brew Monday kit.

– Samaritans Wales

A ‘Brew Monday’ event can take place anytime in January or February. If you decide to take part, let us know and we will help to publicise your event.

Hafan Cymru and the National Community Lottery are holding a training session for Men’s Sheds. The aim of the session is to help understand the process of making applications to support and finance projects run by individual Men’s Sheds. Staff from the National Community Lottery and Hafan Cymru’s Business Development Manager will deliver this session.

The session will give an overview of grant applications and the various sources of grant funding. There will be practical training on completing grant forms and insights into grant assessments.

This is a free training session for Men’s Sheds members only. You can book you place at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mens-sheds-awards-for-all-grants-training-tickets-77265287555

On November 19 International Men’s Day celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities.

Men’s Sheds Cymru in acknowledgement of International Men’s Day will celebrate the successes and achievements of the Men’s Sheds movement in Wales.

This will be best demonstrated by members. They will tell their stories and share their journeys of how Men’s Sheds have made a difference and positive change to their personal life and wellbeing.

Come and see the skilled items they make, watch a ‘shedders’ play and take part in a friendly ‘conkers’ competition. If your ‘shed’ would like a space and be part of the event, let us know. ‘Shedders’ will have the chance to talk and network. In addition we will be screening a film from Head in the Sheds, one of our newest groups supported by Maesteg Men’s Shed at Parc Prison.

There will be a welcome by Deputy Minister, Jane Hutt AM and talks by Alan Lawrie Executive Director Cwm Taf Health Board & Sian Morgan Chief Executive Hafan Cymru.

Book your tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mens-sheds-at-the-senedd-tickets-74810170233