General News
9 August, 2024
Men’s Shed looks to expand
A simple expansion plan could result in a country-first program — with Clunes hammering away at the possibility of housing Australia’s only known Young Men’s Shed.
Three years ago, when the town’s Men’s Shed needed to grow its facility due to increased membership, a hidden opportunity revealed itself to the group’s members.
Building a new space, it dawned on them, would address another problem that initially seemed to have no solution.
“As we researched our needs, we came to realise that there was a huge gap out there for younger men,” Clunes Men’s Shed coordinator Jon Paine said.
“Expanding the shed facilities... means that we can share that space with a younger men’s program, linking them to the benefits a Men’s Shed program offers.
“There is no other Young Men’s Shed program that we know of in Australia — so Clunes will be a first.”
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 43 percent of males across the country have experienced a mental health problem at some point in their lifetime.
Out of these, it is believed, one in seven are younger.
Mr Paine said the Men’s Shed initiative helped boost mental wellbeing for all members in a unique, hands-on manner and boys should also be able to benefit.
With $30,000 in funding secured from the Creswick and District Community Bank, the local group could soon solidify their idea.
“We’ll partner with Clunes Neighbourhood House (CNH) to help develop and run that program,” Mr Paine said.
“It will be launched once the build is finalised.
“Currently we are going through the permit process but we are looking forward to breaking ground in coming months.”
CNH’s manager Lana de Kort is also looking forward for the “intergenerational initiative” to launch.
“This support from the [community bank] provides the Clunes Men’s Shed, and ourselves with the tipping point we needed to get this innovative shed up and running,” she said.
“While the shed is under construction we’ll be working to consolidate partnerships with men’s health, education pathways and industry partners so that the Young Men’s Shed offers young men a place where they can mix with other men, learn skills and potentially create employment pathways.”