The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) is celebrating Men’s Shed Week 1-7 September 2024 with the theme ‘Send him down to the Shed’. All around the country, Shedders are set to gather and celebrate the camaraderie of Men’s Sheds.
From a humble idea in regional Australia, there are now more than 2,500 sheds operating in 12 countries around the world. More than 50,000 Australians directly benefit from participation in the grassroots movement each year, while also creating a wide range of useful things for the community.
‘We know that when men retire, it’s a big change and they are at risk of social isolation which can lead to anxiety and depression, and that can affect physical health too,’ said AMSA Executive Officer David Helmers.
‘It often takes someone else to recognise this and suggest they do something about it. And many of them send them down to a Men’s Shed.’
Men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder
Relationship breakdown, retrenchment or early retirement from a job, loss of children following divorce, physical or mental illness are just some of the problems that men may find difficult to deal with on their own.
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, with no pressure.
Men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that’s all they’re looking for. Members of Men’s Sheds come from all walks of life – the bond that unites them is that they’re men with time on their hands and would like something meaningful to do with that time.
The Men’s Shed movement has become one of the most powerful tools in Australia for addressing health and wellbeing, helping men to once again become valued and productive members of the community.
Stories
A neighbour suggested Ian Pike come along to the St. Clair and District Men’s Shed in NSW, but Ian said ‘I don’t know, I’m not the kind of person who cries on another’s shoulders and whinges. And he laughed and said it wasn’t like that.
‘So I went up and had a look – and that was seven years ago… I’ve been here ever since.’
When Chris Huon retired from the entertainment industry, his daughter Nikita noticed that Chris’s world had become much smaller and having worked in such vibrant environments all his life, she was concerned. Over several conversations with her parents, Nikita encouraged Chris to get down to the local men’s shed in Melton, Victoria.
While still very healthy, Chris’ wife Yolette was aware that if anything happened to her, Chris would be on his own, and didn’t have a strong social network anymore.
Yolette said, ‘I think women are better at finding things to do when they retire. Men need more of a push! I would never have thought of sending Chris down to a shed, so I was grateful Nikita suggested it.’
Building connections
‘For 30 years, Men’s Sheds have been improving the wellbeing and health of men, by building connections over a shared purpose,’ said David Helmers.
Men’s Shed Week (1-7 September) is an annual celebration of ‘all things shedding’ led by the Australian Men’s Shed Association.
Many sheds are holding open days during this week, welcoming members and community to celebrate all things shedding.
AMSA Executive Officer David Helmers says, ‘If you know someone who might like to learn some new skills and meet some new mates, send him down to the shed!’
