Take a look at this news item from BBC. Just skim it maybe to see the gist.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd3ep76g3go
Unemployed young people paying to attend a simulated office environment to be with others like themselves. Trying to find a way forward.
Does it ring the bell of Sheds! Different age group but same principle it seems.
So we sent it to our friend Patrick in Frome as a source of interest. Back came this reply:
“Thanks Graham – I worked in China pre 2012 Olympics, and nothing would surprise me about the Chinese !
They do already have Retiree Workshops – Common in urban areas, where retired workers (often men) gather to practice crafts like calligraphy, woodworking, or repair items. Usually organised by local neighbourhood committees or state-run community centres.
See this example in Beijing https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%8C%97%E4%BA%AC%E5%B8%82%E9%80%80%E4%BC%91%E8%81%8C%E5%B7%A5%E6%B4%BB%E5%8A%A8%E7%AB%99/20461495 (You will need to translate the page)[see below *******]
There are also Makerspaces in China! [That’s very like what we are adding with 3D Paul’s interests].
Are you thinking about setting up a “Pretend To Work Shed” in Norton ?? – Could attract long term unemployed, self employed and the young!
Regards
Patrick”
Well, Patrick, no. Not when we sent the news item to you but now you have responded this morning I think we might sent this on to our local MPs. What attracts is that it is the same principle as the Shed, with so much for those who might get involved to learn about interworking, managing an enterprise, planning, budgeting, workplace technology and much more.
There’s a resurgence of something from years ago in small pockets which is self-build in small groups that help each other in turn. To make home building affordable. Doing more for ourselves is key to community resilience, setting examples to the young, creating self-worth. It is what has been done by the Shed for the majority of Shedders.
***** Translation
Beijing Retired Workers Activity Center
Institutions directly under the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau
The Beijing Retired Workers Activity Center is a public welfare type II institution directly under the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau [5] , located in the Bihai Villa in the Jinhai Lake Tourist Area of Pinggu District [1] . The organization was established on May 23, 2011. Its main responsibility is to organize and receive the city’s retired workers, toxic and hazardous workers, and special workers for recuperation [5] . By providing standardized accommodation and catering services, cultural and sports venues, and related supporting services, it implements the government’s care policy for retired people [1] [2] .
As an important part of the government’s retirement management service system, the activity station has been included in the city-level government department budget disclosure sequence for many consecutive years [6] and is equipped with hardware facilities such as antique buildings and green spaces [1] . The “Beijing Retirees’ True Feelings and Sharing the Chinese Dream” theme propaganda event hosted in 2024 demonstrated its platform role in the social management of retirees [2] .
Facilities and Services
Activity progress
Organizational structure and operations management
Institutional attributes and affiliations
As one of the 25 final accounting units directly under the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, the activity station is on par with institutions such as the Beijing Social Insurance Fund Management Center and the Beijing Personnel Examination Center [3] [4] and has independently prepared the municipal fiscal budget for five consecutive years starting from 2021 [6] . The operating funds of the institution come from the major categories of social security and employment expenditures. In 2018, the final accounting funds in the relevant areas reached 866 million yuan [3] .
Functions and responsibilities
Core functions include:
1. Organize and implement recuperation activities for retired employees
2. Provide standardized accommodation and catering services [1]
3. Hosted a special lecture for retirees [2]
4. Management of cultural and sports venues and supporting facilities [1] [5]
5.Implementing policies to care for workers in special occupations [5]
Facilities and Services
The main building complex is designed in an antique style and covers an area that includes green landscape areas. During its operation in 2016, it had the capacity to accommodate 14 groups of people for recuperation at the same time [1] , and by 2024, the maximum number of people accommodated for a single event will be increased to 200 [2] .
Service standards include:
a. Accommodation rooms are equipped with facilities suitable for the elderly
b. Catering services implement food safety standards
c. Multifunctional conference room to undertake theme presentations
d. The cultural and sports activity room provides daily entertainment programs
Activity progress
Typical cases include:
i. In May 2016, we undertook a retirement project for retirees organized by the Heizhuanghu Social Security Office in Chaoyang District, achieving the goal of physical and mental care through a 5-day service cycle. [1]
ii. In September 2024, a city-level theme lecture “Beijing Yi Songs True Feelings and Talks about the Chinese Dream” will be held to establish a long-term mechanism for retired personnel to give lectures. [2]
iii. Annual regular recuperation activities are combined with physical examination services, policy explanations and other supporting content [5]
Organizational structure and operations management
The organization structure includes subordinate organizations such as the Trade Union Committee, and implements the legal representative responsibility system.
The 2021 departmental final accounts show that the system has a staff size of 1,066 people, and the activity station participates in staffing as one of the 27 affiliated institutions . [4] Daily operations strictly implement the institution registration and management system, and registration information is regularly publicized through the Beijing Municipal Institution Registration and Administration Bureau.
References
[1] Heizhuanghu Social Security Office successfully completed the 2016 retirement work for retirees . Beijing Chaoyang. 2016-05-27
[2] Fengtai District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau promotes the 2024 social management retirement personnel publicity and recuperation work through the “three mechanisms” . Fengtai District People’s Government, Beijing. 2024-09-10
[3] Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau . Capital Window. August 29, 2019
Well, Derick will like mention of the Trade Union Committee!
It all seems very structured and alien to us, but if you read a UK government document it might hold a similar level of excitement! People are people irrespective of regimes and Graham had a short cruise up the Yangtze River some years ago with locals on board. A local showed Graham how to exercise and both enjoyed the fun. It’s interesting to realise that the Shed culture can exist under another name.
Maybe about all the other jobs lined up for him!
Whilst we are in foreign parts, Here’s something from ANZ Bank
Hello; I work for ANZ in in New Zealand. I’ve just had pleasure of producing a short video about New Plymouth Menzshed. I thought it might be of interest to you and your followers and supporters, and you might consider re-sharing it. Best of luck.
https://fb.watch/Btf6rownCo/?mibextid=wwXIfrPlease feel free to share it with any other Men’s Shed groups you are aware of!
Regards, Tarek
Two dogs, two women and an embryo Wednesday Shed session
Two dog walkers passing through the site and two dogs (small) who wanted a pat.
That led to a comment about “something for men” and to the tale (not tail) of two menfolk. One who has just retired from “IT” and who has a guide dog. A hint there. The other was a joiner and he’s making bits in his workshop very close to the Sports complex. He misses work.
If you have just watched Tarek’s NZ video you will see (as we indeed know) that retirement for men is a very dangerous time. Suddenly they need to socialise but they have had very little experience of doing so.
They met Gordon, Dennis, Steve and Graham and shared a good half hour. Too hot to dog walk – too hot for the dogs!
This is the way Sheds build sustainably. Places of shared but varied interests. The former joiner has been making hills for model railways but he has no railway. Imagine the reaction when his wife saw the bits of evidence of things to come at the Shed!
ON THURSDAY ONE OF THE TWO HUSBAND ARRIVED TO VIEW THE SHED! Jo the Joiner. Might pop in with some storage and pieces of rail track Friday.
Whitby Shed’s Thursday digital Shed space taking shape.
Graham spent a few hours helping Aidan reorientate part of the Shed layout and installing Howden’s kind donation of kitchen units and worktops.
It looks from the pictures that progress is backwards but, honest, it is forward! We had to unload a lot from existing storage units.
The larder cupboard was moved from the extreme left to sit in the corner. Units underneath but also a desk space.
The stored items from the left hand side were moved to the right hand side to make space for rearrangement