Title: The Role of the Men’s Shed in a hospice day service context: Identifying features of a successful group and developing guidelines to expand the service
Funder: Marie Curie

Abstract: Aim The aim of this project is to identify features for the success of a hospice based Men Shed group and use this learning to contribute to the development of further Men Shed groups across Marie Curie’s Hospices. Background Men’s Sheds have been identified as one way to promote the health and well-being and reduce health and social inequalities for men who might otherwise avoid traditional health services. Historically hospices have struggled to reach men who care, or cared for ill wives or partners, or who have/had a life limiting illness, and maybe find themselves alone for the first time in their lives. There have been no studies examining Men’s Sheds in a hospice context. The Marie Curie Hospice West Midlands (MCHWM) has an established and successful Men’s Shed group, which provides an opportunity to identify features for success in this model. Research Questions (1) What features of successful Men Sheds have been identified in non-hospice based contexts (both in the UK and internationally)? (2) How do service users and staff understand what makes MCHWM Men Shed successful? What are the similarities and differences with Men Shed groups in other contexts? (3) What guidance can be developed from the analysis of the findings? What can we learn from piloting these guidelines in a second Marie Curie hospice? Method The project will have three work phases that will: (1) Conduct a literature review to identify features of successful Men Sheds in non-hospice settings; (2) Identify through observation and interviews what makes MCHWM Men Shed successful; and, (3) Use the findings from 1 and 2 to develop guidelines for expanding the service to other MC Hospices and then pilot these at MC Bradford. Outcome Guidance to contribute to the development of further Men Shed groups across Marie Curie’s Hospices.

Lay abstract: Aim The aim of this project is to identify features for the success of a hospice based Men Shed group and use this learning to contribute to the development of further Men Shed groups across Marie Curie’s Hospices. Background Men’s Sheds have been identified as one way to promote the health and well-being and reduce health and social inequalities for men who might otherwise avoid traditional health services. Historically hospices have struggled to reach men who care, or cared for ill wives or partners, or who have/had a life limiting illness, and maybe find themselves alone for the first time in their lives. There have been no studies examining Men’s Sheds in a hospice context. The Marie Curie Hospice West Midlands (MCHWM) has an established and successful Men’s Shed group, which provides an opportunity to identify features for success in this model. Research Questions (1) What features of successful Men Sheds have been identified in non-hospice based contexts (both in the UK and internationally)? (2) How do service users and staff understand what makes MCHWM Men Shed successful? What are the similarities and differences with Men Shed groups in other contexts? (3) What guidance can be developed from the analysis of the findings? What can we learn from piloting these guidelines in a second Marie Curie hospice? Method The project will have three work phases that will: (1) Conduct a literature review to identify features of successful Men Sheds in non-hospice settings; (2) Identify through observation and interviews what makes MCHWM Men Shed successful; and, (3) Use the findings from 1 and 2 to develop guidelines for expanding the service to other MC Hospices and then pilot these at MC Bradford. Outcome Guidance to contribute to the development of further Men Shed groups across Marie Curie’s Hospices.

Research activity codes: 7.2 END OF LIFE CARE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE