Kent Sheds Programme

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

Kent County Council (KCC) is seeking a Provider to continue the delivery of the successful Kent Sheds programme.

The Sheds programme started in Australia in response to studies about men's informal learning preferences in community contexts, and some men's aversion to some traditional forms of adult and community education. Sheds organisations are typically located in shed or workshop-type spaces in community settings and provide opportunities for regular hands-on activity by groups deliberately and mainly comprising of men. The Shed concept has now spread across the UK, and there is a thriving Shed community in existence across Kent. More information can be found at http://mensSheds.org.uk/ which is the website representing the national movement across the UK.

Sheds offer a place for people to pursue practical interests in a social environment offering the opportunity to learn new skills, to share their skills with others and to socialise. Many factors attract men to community-based Sheds including friendship, the lack of compulsion, opportunities for mentoring and sociability. There is real value in Sheds tackling isolation - men consistently report a strong sense of belonging and improved health and wellbeing. Men particularly enjoy the opportunity to 'get out of the house' and feel at home in the Shed.

Sheds attract men who tend not to be found in adult and community education and who are difficult to reach through community-based education, health and wellbeing programmes. An important aspect of this piece of work will be for the provider to facilitate and to offer learning and education to Shedders at a time, place and in an environment that is suited to Shedders. The Shed network functions across Kent. The priority group for this piece of work is focused on men, and in particular, men from the most deprived quintiles in Kent who are not currently in employment. However, Kent Sheds are also open to women, and will be open to those who do not reside in the most deprived quintiles, as well as those who are in employment, should they wish to participate, as agreed locally.