Len's learning

Len Johnson was getting welding tips from Alan Sparkes. Len may not be the youngest apprentice in the shed but he is always willing to learn new skills.

The Kincumber Men's Shed is certainly the place to do that. Peer education was an important component of Shed culture identified in the research by Professor Barry Golding and his research team.

Less than a quarter of those taking part in ongoing formal education are males. It has been suggested that men prefer to learn in active environments rather than in classrooms and older men also have a preference to learn from others that they consider their peers in knowledge, skill and life experience.

The Shed environment provides both those opportunities to develop new skills. New skills in the tools they use, like Len above. New skills also in the projects that they can participate in for the community. New skills for themselves by being involved with other men in an environment of mutual respect. In this way, The Shed offers a place to nurture life skills and new networks of mates to share life's rich workshop.