Across the greater Quebec City region, many men are quietly stepping into caregiving roles for loved ones, friends and community members, yet their contributions often go unseen in our health and social service systems. For English-speaking male caregivers in particular, this invisibility is intensified by linguistic barriers, geographic isolation and a cultural norm of self- reliance.

While support services for caregivers do exist, they’re frequently geared toward women, which leaves male caregivers underrepresented and underserved. This gap inspired SHEDquarters, a pilot program I developed through my master’s degree studies in social work. Rooted in the international Men’s Sheds movement, SHEDquarters offered English-speaking male caregivers a casual and inclusive space to connect, share and engage in meaningful activities on their own terms.

The impact was clear. Eight men participated, several inviting others to join. As the program progressed, attendees began initiating and leading activities themselves. By the end, they were planning future outings and showed interest in continuing as a self- led group. Their enthusiasm reflected both the need for such spaces and the potential for peer connection to support well-being.

This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without collaborators like Jeffery Hale Community Partners, whose longstanding work in outreach and inclusion continues to bridge critical service gaps for English-speaking caregivers.

Still, SHEDquarters revealed ongoing challenges. Some men – often the most isolated and overburdened – couldn’t participate due to limited respite, energy or time. As a result, the group primarily welcomed post-caregivers or those with flexible responsibilities.

That’s the heart of the issue: we can’t expect caregivers to break their isolation when their most urgent needs – respite, home care, transportation and services in their language – go unmet. Connection helps, but only when basic support is in place.

SHEDquarters proved that peer connection can be a powerful tool for well-being. Imagine the impact if more men could attend – not by pushing past exhaustion, but because we built systems that truly supported them. Caregivers shouldn’t have to choose between giving care and receiving it.

If you are a caregiver or know someone who is, be sure to visit the Caregivers Circle program section on wejh.ca. You can also contact Anaïs Fortin-Maltais, JH Partners Caregivers Circle co- ordinator, by email (afortin-maltais@jhpartners.net) or phone (581-446-7476).