{
  "abstract": "Background Hospices seek to provide end-of-life support to anyone who needs it, but similarly often struggle to support all the wellbeing needs of many men who use their services (Sullivan, Fenelon. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2014;69(1):53-62). One initiative that has helped men in other health environments are Men’s Sheds (Ahl, Hedegaard, Golding. Aust J Adult Learn. 2017; 57(3): 316-333; Anstiss, Hodgetts, Stolte. Health Place. 2018;51:217-223). We previously conducted research to show how effective they are at supporting men’s wellbeing in hospices (Perry, MacArtney. Health Open Res. 2024; 6:13). We estimated that in 2024 only five of over 200 hospices in the UK provide this type of support. That meant thousands of men a year might not be getting equivalent wellbeing support that other people receive from their hospice.Aims To provide increased opportunities to improve men’s holistic wellbeing in end-of-life contexts through instigating a wider provision of hospice Men’s Sheds and so reduce inequities in hospice support that some men might experience.Methods We have shared our report (Perry, MacArtney. Health Open Res. 2024; 6:13) and toolkit (https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/research-and-policy/research/mens-shed) with every hospice in the UK and held an online dissemination event.We provided support to help hospices start a Men’s Shed and instigate a sustainable approach to maintaining a hospice Men’s Shed network.We evaluated our impact via a survey of hospices and with focus groups with Men’s Shed members and their close persons to hear about the difference the group has made to their wellbeing.Results We will report on the success (so far) of our dissemination and support activities, including the number of new hospice Men’s Sheds and qualitative feedback. We will also provide reflections on the strengths and limitations of our engagement activities, as well as provide an update on the implications for the Men’s Shed toolkit ‘version 2’.Conclusion We will report on the lessons we have learnt so far when seeking to provide greater access to a much needed ‘essential service’ for those men hospices had previously failed to reach.Research Funder Marie Curie.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Marie Curie West Midlands, Solihull, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Rachel Perry"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Warwick, Coventry, UK"
      ],
      "name": "John MacArtney"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-46 An essential part of the service: Increasing the impact of hospice men’s sheds to benefit men’s wellbeing",
  "uid": "fe784096-b3f9-5e02-802b-69150b52af18"
}