Shedding some light

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Menz Sheds are enjoying a growing profile in Waikato communities – we look at why they are regarded as important.

Malcolm Perano of Te Awamutu Menz Shed who have built 120 traps which were delivered to landowners between Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Cambridge in an effort to provide both safe corridors for native birds which leave the mountain and the restoration planting happening. Photo: Jeremy Smith

The demands for a place for men to be with other men is increasing every year, especially among older men as more and more of them reach retirement age.

Last year it was recognised by the World Health Organisation that loneliness affects a substantial portion of men over the age of 50, and I Canada, 58 per cent of men in this age bracket reported experiencing loneliness. Similar figures apply across New Zealand and Australia.

Loneliness has been identified as a major killer of older men, and is said to be responsible for more sickness, suffering, and death than any other cause.

In both New Zealand and worldwide membership of Menz Sheds is increasingly being seen as a major method of combatting such loneliness, and with helping men cope more easily with a range of illnesses that regularly confront older males.

“As men get older, they often face major changes in their lives,” says Te Awamutu Menz Shed chairman Richard Cato.

Richard Cato

“They can suddenly find themselves with nothing to do due to retirement, through loss of a partner or close friends, geographical separation from family, or health issues. And they often have smaller circles of friends than women do, so they get less opportunity to share their concerns with others,” he says.

“Many older couples find that when one or other retires, the sudden closeness with each other all the time creates difficulties. So, joining up with a Menz Shed gives the man a chance to escape the stresses of ‘the underfoot syndrome’. It also provides his wife with some ‘breathing space’ as well. We often find that women are among the most ardent supporters of Sheds,” says Cato.

He says some men join a Shed “just for the pleasure of having a mug tea and a yarn with other blokes”. But they can also find that talking helps cope with stress or health problems. There is a growing understanding that “keeping an eye on each other” is all part of the value of being Shed members.

Steve Mannington checks out the Te Awamutu Anzac Green pole restored by Menz Shed. Photo: Roy Pilott

It is noted that in Australia, where there are about 1300 Men’s Sheds, the Federal Government is now acknowledging the considerable social and health values of the organisation and has been providing grants annually since 2010 to assist individual Sheds continue important work in helping with men’s wellbeing. Late last year it gave $500,000 to be used by nearly 90 sheds across the country on such projects as organising dementia awareness sessions, healthy cooking classes, the purchase of new tools, hosting health and practical workshops, yoga classes, and CPR refresher training courses.

There are now more than125 Sheds throughout New Zealand, with at least 2500 members. Numbers are increasing every month. Across the Waikato, there are 15 Menz Sheds – one in most towns, with Cambridge being the newest.

Morrinsville, which recently built a large new shed, has increased its membership by 25 per cent in the past two months. Now, with the extra space, they can offer more services for the members. Their shed includes a large smoko room, ideal for health professionals and supporting services to meet with the men.

“The great value of these Sheds is that they are a safe and relaxed place for men to go, to enjoy companionship, and to quietly seek help with health and wellbeing issues if they want to,” Cato says.

“Sheddies, as they are known, often work on community projects, personal tasks, and carry out repairs on all sorts of items for members of the public. Carpenters and engineers help lawyers, accountants, and teachers gain new skills, and in return they sometimes learn professional skills. The comradeship between men from all walks of life is wonderful,” he says.

“Menz Sheds are places where men can contribute to their communities, have a sense of belonging, and create a meaningful purpose, coupled together with old-fashioned mateship.”

Information on the Menz Shed movement can be found here – menzshed.org.nz

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