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Wednesday 10th October was World Mental Health Day. The subject of mental health is of huge importance to me and something which I have begun to explore through my photographic work. In our stressful lives, it is easy to isolate ourselves in an attempt to protect us from the fears and anxieties we experience; but this coping mechanism can often be counter productive. My Dad is in the process of creating a 'Men's Shed' space for people who may wish to find purpose or companionship, to come together in shared endeavour to create things, make friendships and generally support each other. Part of the process involved in creating this space is to convert a section of his barn into a workshop, for which he needed to concrete the floor. Concrete is strong, secure, unfaltering, tough; some of the things that we may strive to be to cope with everyday pressures. However, the best way to make concrete, it seems is with planning, support, effort and time. This weekend, my Dad organised a work party of friends and family to help to concrete the barn floor. He had the right materials, he set time aside to concentrate on the job and then enlisted some much needed support. With a promise of bacon rolls and strong tea, the willing workers set about the tasks they were given with positive energy and smiles on their faces. Together, they communicated, laboured, mixed, poured and shaped the fluid concrete, leaving behind a smooth and settled expanse (and a few biscuit crumbs). So, the little message for us all: We may not always feel it, but we all have the ability to find strength inside us. We just might need to make the time and ask for support for it to become concrete. For support or information about mental health visit https://www.mind.org.uk UK Mens Sheds Association are the support body for Men's Sheds across the UK. Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.
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