Published: Monday, 23rd February 2026
The Medway Men in Sheds programme is set to expand after Medway Council awarded providers with a new three year contract and announced extra funding.
Delivered by The Sunlight Development Trust, the programme has offered a vital haven for men around Medway, with sessions designed to boost mental health and wellbeing through a range of activities – and is now opening doors to even more residents.
Activities are led by volunteer ‘shedders’, and currently include community garden projects, woodwork, music production, poetry, podcasting, engineering and a men’s health group, with all suggestions welcomed and encouraged. Annual funding has increased from £50,000 to £80,000, meaning new groups are set to benefit more residents, including a new Women in Sheds Group on Tuesdays, Men’s ‘walk and talk’ group on Saturdays and a new LGBTQIA+ Book Club to be announced soon…
Free to join, the sessions are open to anyone over 18 who is unemployed or retired and lives in Medway, and have become valued sanctuaries for purposeful engagement, social interaction, and skill development.
Studies consistently show that active participation in ‘men’s sheds’ leads to enhanced mental health, reduced stress levels, and a sense of belonging among members. They also provide a forum for sharing crucial health information, help combat the negative impacts of social isolation, and encourage proactive meaningful lifestyles. They’re also simply a great place for a chat and a cup of tea!
Providing support and encouraging healthy lifestyles
Cllr Teresa Murray, Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “Extra funding and the new contract for Men in Sheds is great news, both for those already involved in the project and for all those new members who are set to experience the fantastic benefits of joining in. Poor mental health is an increasingly prevalent issue, and suicide remains the leading cause of death of men under 50, while preventable illnesses such as heart disease and prostate cancer are being caught far too late. These factors led to the Government announcing the first-ever Men’s Health Strategy for England last year, which aims to improve access to support services, encourage healthier lifestyles and tackle the stigma around reaching out for help. The Men in Sheds project can help in all of these areas, and The Sunlight Development Trust has provided a fantastic service so far. I’d urge anyone who’s eligible to come along to a session to find out what’s on offer.”
Groups offer something for everyone
Mirelle Frost, Chief Executive of the Sunlight Development Trust, thanked project coordinator Chris White for his work towards expanding the new groups. She added: “We are so proud of our Medway Men in Sheds Project which has flourished to support over 100 registered shedders who teach new skills, knowledge and confidence to others 6 days a week with various pop ups plus their weekly peer support sessions. We received some seed funding last year to set up a new Women in Sheds Group in response to demand from our community and are looking forward to delivering a new LGBTQIA group to provide something for everyone.”
Sunlight Development Trust has been operating in Medway to reduce health inequalities for over 20 years and you can find out more at Sunlighttrust.org.uk