91原创 City resident Ray Girard was laughing as he explained how he came to get involved with organizing the first Men鈥檚 Shed in 91原创, part of an international movement that has men helping men by working together on projects.

鈥淚鈥檓 a loner,鈥� he said.

鈥淚 do not join groups. I don鈥檛 know how this happened.鈥�

Then, he answered his own question when he explained what the Men鈥檚 Shed movement is about.

鈥淚t鈥檚 to give guys who don鈥檛 talk about their problems a chance to work together shoulder-to-shoulder,鈥� Girard told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淎nd that gets them talking. I can see the value in it.鈥�

Or, as the B.C. Men鈥檚 Shed association website, , explains it, the goal is to improve 鈥減hysical and mental health through activities men will actually join.鈥�

First to keep men physically active and healthy, there are now 3,000 non-profit men鈥檚 sheds worldwide, with more than 100 in Canada, and more than 30 of them in B.C., Girard estimated.

So far, the 91原创 Men鈥檚 Shed, which is just starting out, has eight member, and is looking for more, Girard explained.

He is hoping they can find space to set up a permanent shop.

Ideally, Girard advised, it would be a ground floor space.

鈥淪ome of the old guys use walkers.鈥�

And it would have running water, 鈥渁nd a sink,鈥� he added, and be 鈥渇airly secure. We鈥檇 be moving in some pretty big woodworking equipment.鈥�

Natural light would be nice, too, he added.

鈥淲e can afford a certain amount of rent, but not much,鈥� Girard specified.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 have any income yet, all we have is a grant from United Way.

He predicted landlords will find the shed an attractive prospect for several reasons, including adding 鈥渁 little bit more security, maybe a little bit more coming and going, so that it鈥檚 being utilized [and with] some of us being woodworkers, we might improve the spot.鈥�

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Girard, 73, a semi-retired broadcast announcer, and former disc jockey, started designing and building exotic wooden furniture when he was 50.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 nail two boards together [before that],鈥� he recalled, but then 鈥渟omething clicked.鈥�

He noted shed activities are not limited to woodwork, and can include everything from photography to gardening, or small appliance repair.

READ ALSO: Who are 91原创鈥檚 outstanding seniors?

鈥淚t鈥檚 not restricted in any way, including religious, political, nationality, even age. Anyone over 18 is welcome,鈥� Girard said, although so far most of the participants can be ranked as seniors.

As for women: 鈥渋f you did a search on women鈥檚 hobbies and and clubs you find thousands. There鈥檚 hardly anything for men,鈥� Girard said.

鈥淲omen are welcome at our meetings,鈥� and if they insisted in coming to the shed, he said, 鈥渨e鈥檙e not kicking anybody out.鈥�

Anyone who wants more information about Men鈥檚 Shed 91原创, or has available space, is asked to email mensshedlangley@gmail.com.