A qualitative study of a Men's Shed Model in an adult intellectual disability service: Supported inclusion through self‐determined behaviour Authors- .Byrne, K. Treacy and S. Guerin -University College Dublin; St Michaels House.

Issued on October 4 2019

A qualitative study of a Men's Shed Model in an adult intellectual disability service: Supported inclusion through self‐determined behaviour

1. Byrne¹, K. Treacy² and S. Guerin¹

¹University College Dublin, Ireland; ²St Michaels House, Ireland

Introduction: The current research aims to explore the lived experiences of men with an intellectual disability (ID) attending a Men's Shed programme. The role of self‐determination behaviour in the design and implementation of the Men's Shed was also explored.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 5 adults with ID and three staff carers, exploring lived experiences of a Men's Shed programme in a large urban based ID service. Observations of men's behaviour in the shed was also recorded, focusing on three self‐determined behaviours of competence, autonomy and relatedness.

Results: Interview findings suggest strong service user and staff satisfaction with the Men's Shed model. Major themes concerning the promotion of social networks, fulfilment of psychosocial needs and ways in which to tailor the Men's Shed to suit the specific population with ID were discussed.

Implications: This study provides a supportive account of the adaptation of the Men's Shed model to promote social inclusion of people with ID. There is also scope to incorporate the explicit promotion of self‐determined behaviours in the Shed design to promote psychosocial development for those attending.

Keywords Intellectual disability, Men's development, Men Shed's, Qualitative study