Sister Sheds have grown in popularity around county

EVERY Monday morning at 10am, a group of more than 20 women gather in the Firhouse Community Centre to mingle, make new friends and engage in a variety of activities.

The group is just one of many Sister Sheds around the county, which have grown in popularity since the organisation was founded by cousins Shereen and Rachel Hughes in October 2021.

The two women realised there was a lack of social outlets for women, particularly during the pandemic, and set up Sister Sheds to cultivate a sense of community and togetherness.

At present, the group has 17 Sister Sheds in Dublin, including ones in Ballyfermot, Belgard, Jobstown and Bluebell, and it continues to grow – four more groups are due to start next month.

The activities in Sister Sheds vary, including wellbeing workshops, yoga, meditation, make-up and skin care workshops, glass mosaic and jewellery making, and flower arrangements.

“Every Sister Shed decides what it is they would like brought to the table and both myself and Shereen try to source a facilitator to teach them,” co-founder Rachel Hughes told The Echo.

The two founders are already seeing first-hand the impact the Sister Sheds are having on members and are delighted to see the difference they’re making.

“One of the most humbling feedback reports we got was, ‘Sister Sheds changed my life – I no longer feel alone or isolated, I have gained friendship and confidence I never thought I would have’,” said Rachel.

“We also had a lady return to the workplace as she felt her Sister Shed helped her grow in confidence and reduced her depression allowing her to return to work after many, many years.

“We feel it’s very important for women to use this outlet to connect with one another.

“As women, we take on heavy roles as mammys, nannies, wives, partners etc.

“The pressure can be on, and with Sister Sheds, this outlet is purely for the women to come and spend two hours weekly, solely for herself.”

A highpoint for Sister Sheds members was when they held a dance flashmob in the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght last October.

Over 50 members from Sister Sheds all over Dublin took part and performed an energetic and fine-tuned dance to ‘Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves’.

The experience was a memorable one for both the members and co-founders, with Rachel being particularly enthusiastic about the confidence boost it gave the women.

“We came together on the day,” she said.

“Everyone was nervous, but we did it in front of hundreds of people including family and friends.

“It was amazing as we all learned that, sometimes, things can be overwhelming and you think, ‘I can’t do that’.

“But, really, there is nothing in life that we can’t do, if you just have enough nerve – and what better way to do it than with an army of beautiful women behind you?”

For further information and for a full list of groups, visit the Sister Sheds’ Facebook group HERE

To register your attendance at one of the Sister Sheds, email sistersheds@gmail.com

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