Peebles Men’s Shed has been recognised by MSPs for the positive influence on its members’ mental health.

MSP Christine Grahame visited Peebles and District Men’s Shed a few weeks ago, before deciding to take the debate to the Scottish Parliament.

Addressing MSPs, she explained the benefits of Men’s Sheds and how they can improve men’s mental health. She specifically named a few sheds, including the one in Peebles, from her constituency, which extends to Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.

In the chamber, Grahame said: “Generalising, we know that men perhaps aren’t so good at sharing their worries and concerns with others, and not everyone plays golf or is member of a club. So, the sheds have given men - and women, for example Peebles does not bar women, but mostly men – a place to gather, make chat, have a laugh, make plans for the shed.”

She highlighted the difficulties that members have in finding affordable premises to open a shed and their struggles to get funding.

“The benefit to health, to wellbeing, to remaining active in mind and body cannot be overstated – good for individuals, good for the public purse,” she added.

During the hour-long debate, many MSPs spoke up in favour of Men’s Sheds across Scotland. They commented on how beneficial the sense of community given by the sheds is to men especially.

Suicide is a major problem amongst the male population in the UK, with figures showing that men are three times as likely to take their own lives than women. The debate touched on the issue, with MSPs believing these sheds can have a positive impact on the situation in Scotland.

The phenomenon of Men’s Sheds started in Scotland in 2013, in the town of Westhill, Aberdeenshire. Now 10% of these sheds are in the Borders with 19% of all Scotland’s members in the area. Scotland counts over a hundred sheds, with more in development, and over 1.5K members.