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Over four years ago, Jim was working long and exhausting shifts as a baker. However, after injuring his wrist, he was forced into early retirement. For Jim, this monumental shift was both sudden and daunting. Faced with unforeseen spare time and a lack of the structure and purpose he had found in work, he struggled to adapt to retirement. Jim found himself moping around the house and began to feel symptoms of depression. His wife became concerned as she watched him struggle and suggested he join a local Men’s Shed to connect with other local men. Despite his awareness of the local Men’s Shed, Jim confessed he had never considered joining. He jokes the suggestion came as a way “to get me out of the house,” but after his first visit to the shed, he instantly felt excitement at the prospect of returning the following week. For Jim, being part of the Men’s Shed community was exactly what he needed to adapt to this new chapter of his life, and his love for the shed couldn’t be more obvious. Currently, there is limited research into the impact of the transition into retirement on mental health, and Jim feels that mental health in older men is largely overlooked. However, the Men’s Shed has given Jim and their fellow “shedders” (as they are called) a safe space to talk if they’re struggling without the fear of judgment.
Men’s Sheds were first introduced into Australian communities during the 1980s to provide support to improve older men’s health and well-being. The men find purpose and connection with one another through forming a community that engages in craftwork. There are currently over 900 Men’s Sheds located throughout Australia, and they have also been established in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Finland, Estonia, New Zealand, and Greece.
The first Men’s Shed was established in 1993 by Maxine Chaseling in Goolwa, South Australia. The inspiration behind its founding was Maxine’s father, who struggled with depression and a sense of being stuck at home after being forced into retirement due to a heart attack. This personal experience led Maxine to create a space where men like her father could find solace and support. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research conducted a study, ‘Men’s Shed in Australia: Learning through Community Contexts,’ which found that 99.5 % of men surveyed said they felt better about themselves after joining a club and that 97 % said the Men’s Shed gave them a place where they could belong and give back to the community. Men’s Sheds also provide opportunities for older men to encourage and mentor younger men by passing down their skills and knowledge.
The Manningham Men’s Shed was established in 2000 under the auspices of Manningham Community Health. The men began to meet in a humble tin shed of 7 metres by 11 metres to participate in woodworking activities. In 2016, when Manningham Community Health merged with Access Health and Community, the Men’s Shed, with funding from the Federal Government, Australia Post, and locals, embarked on an expansion. This is to provide increased space to accommodate older clients and clients presenting with mental health issues, while also offering a broader range of activities, including woodworking, metalwork, electrical work, and painting among others. The shed in Doncaster is open from 9 to 3, Mondays and Thursdays, encouraging men from the local community to drop in and socialise over a cuppa and work on individual projects. “We support men with issues that include but are not limited to social isolation, grief, complex medical conditions, mental health issues, mild intellectual disabilities, alcohol and drug-related issues, dementia, and aging-related issues”, said Peter Ashmore, the Program Coordinator at the Men’s Shed.
According to recent ABS data, 22.2 % of Manningham’s population is above 65 years old, which is 5.5 % more than the state average. Community organisations such as the Men’s Shed undoubtedly provide much-needed support for the senior population in Manningham.
The men also use the Men’s Shed as an opportunity to give back to the community through their willingness to repair appliances for local schools and retirement homes in Manningham. The men are also enthusiastic about the plan to invite women into their space, with a Women’s Shed opening on Fridays in a few months’ time. The men are enthusiastic for local women in the community to have access to the same support and community they have found for themselves. In Jim’s own words, “Joining the club has changed my life, and I want everyone to know about it.” Jim looks forward to the further expansion of the Men’s Shed as plans have been announced to move the Shed to Templestowe, allowing Nadrasca, where the Men’s Shed is currently located, to provide additional disability support to the local community.
The Men’s Shed is located at 39-41 Wetherby Rd, Doncaster. To find out more about the Men’s Shed, email intake@acesshc.org.au or call 9840 1681. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, you can refer them to MensLine Australia at 1300 78 99 78 or Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14.
