Men’s Sheds are community-based grassroots groups where men gather to connect, share skills, and contribute to their communities. Although open to men of all ages, Men's Sheds play a particularly important role in supporting men experiencing retirement, divorce, bereavement, caregiving, social isolation, and other life transitions by fostering purpose, belonging, confidence, and meaningful social relationships.

Research from Canada and internationally has shown participation in Men’s Sheds can improve quality of life, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen communities by keeping older men active, connected, engaged, and productive. There are now more than 200 autonomous Sheds across Canada offering low-barrier, peer-led support through a scalable community-led model that demonstrates how social participation, peer support, and community engagement can improve well-being and quality of life and support healthy aging outcomes.

Often described as "health by stealth," Men's Sheds promote health without formal clinical programming. By working shoulder-to-shoulder on shared activities, men build trusted relationships that reduce stigma surrounding help-seeking while encouraging conversations about physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Emerging evidence also suggests that Men's Sheds address several modifiable risk factors associated with dementia and chronic disease, including loneliness, social isolation, physical inactivity, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours.

This interactive session will bridge academic research and hands-on practice, examining how Men's Sheds promote health span through “health by stealth”, and exploring how new innovative resources and partnerships, and more intentional health interventions could potentially enhance Men’s Sheds effects on health span. The agenda will move from foundational evidence to practical applications, including collaborative discussions to map out future potential research and resources.