Grants for Men’s Sheds
16 February 2011 at 2:58 pm
The humble backyard shed has long been revered as a special place by Australian men, but the potential for the shed to create connections and provide support for older and disadvantaged Australians is now being recognised, with the Federal Government announcing grants for Men’s Sheds around the country.
The Federal Government has announced grants to build new Men’s Sheds in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, with another 16 established Men’s Sheds around the country to receive a grant to upgrade their work spaces, buy new equipment or hire staff.
- Unfamiliar with the Men’s Sheds concept? Find out more information about this approach to men’s health here.
Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon says Men’s Sheds play an important role by providing meeting places for men to stay connected within the community, while helping their physical and mental wellbeing.
Snowdon says Men’s Sheds – based on the traditional backyard shed – provide a relaxed place for men to meet and continue a hobby, learn new skills, or just pop in for a chat and a cuppa.
He says isolation, loneliness and depression are major health issues for many Australian men, which is compounded by the male culture of not talking about feelings or emotions and not taking as active an interest in their own health and wellbeing as they should.
Snowdon says Men’s Sheds can play a significant role in reducing these problems by connecting men with each other and their communities without pressure.
He says most sheds also undertake community work, so there’s an opportunity for men to be involved in something meaningful and make a positive contribution to the community.
Funding for the 20 Men’s Sheds was provided under round one of the Shed Development Program, which is part of the National Male Health Policy.
Under this program, the Australian Government is providing $750,000 over three years through the Australian Men’s Shed Association to provide financial assistance to eligible men’s sheds across the country.
More funding will be made available in the second round of the Men’s Shed Development Program which will open in late February 2011. For information on how to apply, please see: www.mensshed.org
Mens Sheds are noted for helping people in our local community. joining a shed and getting active can be very rewarding.
Through my work place I have been encouraged to develop a men shed for Aboriginal men specifically to focus on men’s health and chronic desease. To engage Aboriginal men to be pro-active and to strengthen profile and to focus on healthy lifestyles.
Some men would like to support the less fortunate Aboriginal children by making wooden toys and or repairing old bycicle for those disadvantaged.
The primary focus is the Social wellbeing and healthy lifestyles for Aboriginal men.
Mens sheds are all about blokes getting together so they can enjoy each others company. They make things in their shed and do things for the community.
Having a cuppa and talking about what troubles them is a part of being in a mens shed is all about. Our shed Blue Gum Hills Mens Shed is only new and we are starting to get new members. Being in a mens shed is all about mateship and learning from each other. We can unwind and have a good time.
There is now over 800 sheds in Australia and the numbers are growing very fast, both in Australia and overseas.
There are over 800 sheds in Australia and many of them help their local community, our shed is only new and we do local community projects.
Having just moved to a new community, I have joined a men's shed and find it very enjoyable. However, the instability of their current rental tenure and the lack of a storage facility is presenting problems to the managing committee. They have been searching for funds, but have had a steady stream of, "thank you but no thank you" replies. As I have had a good deal of experience in funds application for many Indigenous clients, they have asked me to take up the challenge. Therefore, I am asking for advice and/or assistance from people experienced in the Men's shed area. The problems as I see them are the extensive costs in owning a shed plus equipment, coupled with the ongoing maintenance and general costs.
Although the committee would love to have a shed of their own, I have also noted that it is intended to utilize said shed for 2 days a week only. This would, I believe grow as they are at virtual capacity of participants now. I believe they may be better to merge with similar groups for a suitable facility which would be utilized more fully on an ongoing basis. My gut feel is for them to find a partner, then look for a building to rent, (Difficult) The group has a good deal of equipment and could accommodate many more men if the days and a larger facility were available. I am now seeking some advice from people who may have walked this path already. I really want to afford them the best and most current advice, rather than my gut business feel. I am available by email or by mobile phone anytime 0417915897 Thanks for reading Alan Mountney.