Men’s Shed
**NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME**
What is a Men’s Shed?
The modern Men’s Shed is an updated version of the shed in the backyard that has long been a part of Australian culture. Men’s Sheds are found in many cities and towns around Australia and continue to spring up internationally.
Not all Men’s Sheds are the same – if you look inside, you might see several men making furniture, perhaps restoring items for community members, making tables & chairs, mud kitchens or other items. You will see tea bags, coffee cups and a comfortable area where men can sit and talk. You might also see a few young men working with the older men obtaining new skills and learning something about life from the men they work with.
So what is so special about the ‘Men’s Shed’?
Most men have learned from our culture that they don’t talk about feelings and emotions; many do not take an interest in their health and well-being. Unlike women, most men are reluctant to talk about their emotions, which means that they usually don’t ask for help. Because of this, many men are less healthy than women, drink more, take more risks and suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression. Relationship breakdown, retrenchment or early retirement from a job, loss of children following divorce, and physical or mental illness are just some of the problems that men may find difficult to deal with.
Good health is based on many factors, including feeling good about yourself, being productive, contributing to your community, connecting with friends and maintaining an active body and mind. Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed provides a safe and busy environment where men can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship. And importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.
Members of Men’s Sheds come from all walks of life – the bond that unites them is that they are men with time on their hands and would like something meaningful to do with that time.
Hopetoun Men’s Shed is a Hopetoun and District Neighbourhood House project. It has developed a safe and happy environment where men are welcome to work on community projects, specific Men’s Shed projects or a project of their choice in their own time. The only ‘must’ is to observe safe working practices….all in a spirit of mateship.
The Men’s Shed movement has now become one of the most powerful tools in addressing health and wellbeing and helping men to once again become valued and productive members of our community.
Hopetoun Men’s Shed is open on Wednesdays 10 am-4 pm.
