CELEBRATING MEN’S SHED WEEK 2020
Men’s Sheds – it’s all about Mateship!
This week is Men’s Shed Week and while Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association (TMSA) has delayed their regional gatherings as a result of COVID-19, most Sheds have re-opened, some with restricted hours. TMSA gatherings are set to resume this month.
This year has highlighted just how important community connection is and that loneliness can be a real risk to physical and mental health and wellbeing.
While many people think that Men’s Sheds are places where older men meet to make things – this is just a small part of the Men’s Shed story. TMSA Member Sheds are becoming the heart and hub for men in community’s right throughout Tasmania.
Many men struggle with the transition from their working life to retirement, missing their work mates and feeling a lack of purpose. There are many men that live alone, often in isolated regional areas. Some may have relocated to a new community and need to make new mates. Joining a Men’s Shed can fill this void.
Men can learn new skills or pass on their lifelong skills to others. Sheds are also somewhere to just drop in for a cuppa and a game of cards, or simply sit by the wood heater on a cold winter’s day and have a chat, offload those worries in a place where you feel comfortable to do exactly that.
TMSA Member Sheds are always ready to lend a helping hand in their communities and provide support in a variety of ways – and this is just the beginning of the diversity of Shed life. Most importantly, there is no pressure to do anything, just get out of the house and find a group of men that you will enjoy being with.
TMSA President Keith Ellis said ‘ While activities throughout Men’s Shed Week will remain low-key as a result of COVID-19, there’s always plenty happening in our Sheds, our State Government funding grant round has just opened, our Aurora Art Prize is attracting some fantastic entries and we are planning a community based event for the end of the year.
It’s important to remember that we are all volunteers and we continue to make a big contribution to our communities’ he said.
Interview and photo opportunities available
For more information phone:
Keith Ellis TMSA President 0417572668
Wendy Kennedy TMSA Executive Officer 0438100446