How Galway's Women’s Shed Project is Bringing People Together
Twice a month, women of all ages gather in Galway's Westend to sew, forage, build, bake or simply be. We chat to Chairperson Genevieve Becker on what makes the city's only Women's Shed so quietly transformative.
How would you describe a women's shed to someone who has never heard of it before?
Our purpose is to provide a space where women can come together to socialise, develop and share skills, make friends and support one another’s wellbeing. The space has several rooms and even a garden.
On any given evening, there might be an organised talk or an external tutor offering a workshop. But at the same time, someone might come in and say, “I’m wrecked, I'm just going to sit in the quiet room and read.” And that’s perfectly fine too, it’s simply a space for women to come as they are.
How did the Galway Women’s Shed begin?
We started in May 2023. A group of women, many of whom had worked in the HSE and the City Council, felt there was a need for a space specifically for women.
We held public meetings, and from there we got up and running. In 2024, we were nominated for and won the Mayor’s Award as a new community group, particularly recognising our focus on social inclusion.
What activities happen regularly in the shed?
Generally, there’s at least one arranged activity each evening, but there’s plenty of space for women to do their own thing. We have members who are all skilled at something, whether it be showing people how to sew using our machines, another member who became very familiar with quilling and started teaching others, we've also had guest speakers in self defence classes, crocheting, clay ornament making or others have simply baked gingerbread men in the kitchen.
With around 50 to 60 members, you might have 10 people heading out foraging while five others stay behind sewing. Everyone has equal say in what happens.
Our purpose is to provide a space where women can come together to socialise, develop and share skills, make friends and support one another’s wellbeing.
Is it an inclusive space?
Inclusivity is really important to us, so we don’t charge for activities. For example, we organised an outing to Bridget’s Garden for a workshop and tour, and that was fully funded through a grant so members didn’t have to pay. Our downstairs space is also fully wheelchair accessible, including an accessible toilet.
Is the women’s shed open to women of all ages and backgrounds?
Yes, absolutely. It’s open to all women over 18. At the moment, our membership ranges from women in their mid-20s right up to women in their 80s. Last year we did a survey and discovered we had members born in 14 different countries!
Everyone is welcome, and we really value that diversity. For example, we’ve had cooking sessions where we chose something simple like potatoes and had different members cook potato dishes from their own countries. It’s a lovely way of sharing culture and stories.
What does being involved in the women’s shed mean to you personally?
For me, it’s been a way to make new friends since I retired from work. It’s allowed me to use the skills I already have and learn new ones too.
I’m currently the chairperson, and I’m happy to take on that administrative role for now. But we’re very conscious of encouraging other women to get involved at committee level and take on training, because the shed has to keep evolving. Different people will step forward at different times.
What hopes or plans do you have for the shed in the future?
When we first started, we had a vision of having our own building, like the men’s sheds, somewhere permanent where we could store equipment and get a chance to use our pottery kiln. At the moment, we have to pack everything away at the end of each evening.
Sustainability is important too. We need to keep bringing in new members who are willing to help run things, because we’re all volunteers and people’s circumstances change.
Funding is another big issue. We’re currently in the middle of applying for various city council and other grants. Multi-year funding would make a huge difference in terms of planning and stability.
For anyone who might be curious but nervous about joining, what would you say to them?
I’d say just get in touch. We ask people to send us an email to galwaycitywomensshed@gmail.com and say they’re interested, and we’ll send back an information sheet explaining membership and what to expect.
If someone feels hesitant about walking in alone, we can often arrange for a member who lives near them to meet them beforehand or come along with them. We can also give them a specific name to ask for when they arrive.
We link in with the social prescribing programme too, and sometimes the coordinator comes along with women who want to get out more and connect socially.
How do new members usually feel when they arrive?
When new members arrive, they’re greeted warmly, shown around, offered a cup of tea, and someone checks in with them during the evening, and we have plenty of facilities from a microphone and speaker system to a big screen for talks and singing sessions.
But more than anything, we’re a friendly group of women. There’s no pressure you can join in, or you can simply sit and have a chat.
What are you looking forward to in the coming weeks?
On 8th March in Tullamore, the National Forum of Women’s Sheds Ireland will be launched. At the moment, there are 56 women’s sheds around the country that operate independently. This new forum aims to create more of a national structure, which should hopefully help with issues like funding and insurance.
We’re also looking forward to upcoming sessions on women’s voices, confidence, and creativity. And really just for our members to stay enjoying themselves, welcoming new women, and building friendships that continue outside the shed.
The Galway Women's Shed are holding an open evening on Thursday 26th of February from 6:30pm-9pm, visit their Instagram or Facebook pages for more info.
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