>Firstly can I give you a big hug for what you're doing.

Always! Next time you're down in Cornwall, let me know!

>Do you find that things such as the man-shed groups play an important part?

Yes. There is a demographic of men who need to be solving/fixing/building, and that time (together) is therapeutic. My group offers a round table talking format, and it's built around common sense & lived experience with appropriate guard rails for group meetings. We also run walk & talk sessions where any man is welcome to join (with or without a well-behaved dog) for a stomp around.

This is where the 'straight ahead' conversations might happen, they're less confrontational than a round table thing. Both inside & outside events have the 'shoulder to shoulder' thing, that's a conscious decision.

>I feel that life can be more isolating these days and where people move about more and life runs at a faster pace there is less time and fewer opportunities to fully relax and just "talk shit" with someone.

100%. I am reminded of a comment from @kstenerud:

>"We may work online, but we exist in the flesh."

[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49863683]

>For me TV programmes like Mortimer & Whitehouse Gone Fishing are a reminder of how we should be spending some of our time.

Yes! New series soon, I'm told.