Men’s sheds boost men’s health
Community men’s sheds are spreading all over the country, as a place where men can gather and not only use the equipment, but also mingle and socialise. They are replacing the traditional backyard shed which is being relinquished by many older men as they downsize the family house or move into a nursing home or retirement living.
A team at the University of Ballarat’s Education School has recently completed a national study on the community men’s shed phenomenon which shows that the sheds are proving vital to sustaining older men’s health as well.
More than 150 community sheds spread across the country are vitally important to the participants, who are often isolated and don’t access other services.
The community men’s sheds go some way to connecting up those people, providing a place for men to gather and socialise, and helping to keep them healthy by organising check ups and providing information and referrals.
