The Brimbank Men’s Shed was established in 2006 following a community consultation process. The Men’s Shed program is a vital contribution to the life of men within the Brimbank community and needs your help to ensure the programs continue.

Campaign Update

BRIMBANK MEN’S SHED SAVED



Brimbank Men’s Shed was able remain open after people from all over Australia donated in response to an ABC news story in 2016. The Brimbank Men's Shed receives no formal funding and needs continued support to stay open.

The Brimbank Men’s Shed was established in 2006 and the programs run from the facility at Sunshine Mission make a vital contribution to the life of men within the Brimbank community. The Brimbank Men’s Shed supports men who are unable to work due to age, illness, disability or are being newly integrated within the community. This time for men can be very challenging as they struggle with finding a new identity and role within their family and community. Often this leads to social isolation and despair.

The shed offers men the ability to:

- Rekindle the joy of life and laughter; and, rediscover their own self-worth.

- Establish relationships with and reconnect with other men, build new friendships, so they can support one another to get through tough times.

- Create opportunities and experiences so they can contribute in their local community.

The Brimbank Men’s Shed offers three programs, each of these being run on a weekly basis. The programs are as follows:

General Socialisation Program

This program is run on a Wednesday from 10am to 2pm and offers the men a chance to be involved in a range of activities including scheduled presentations and discussions by a range of speakers with regard to men’s health and well being.

Asylum Seeker Group

This group provides men with the opportunity to gain confidence in the use of English within an Australian workplace environment. Visits to community facilities such as libraries and leisure centres are also undertaken with the men also visiting community health services. The program runs from 10am to 1pm each Thursday.

Community Projects Program

This is a community based program that engages the men in building a range of items that support those in need within the local community. The program runs on a Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm

Testimonials

Men involved with the Shed have provided a range of feedback about the impact of the Shed on their lives.



“When I lost my job, my life fell apart. I had nothing to live for. The shed changed that”



“This is the first time in a long time that I feel like I belong somewhere”



“Without the shed, I’d just be at home staring that the four walls getting depressed”

How can you Help

Lentara are looking for pledges of support for the long term delivery of the program for it's particpants, beyond 2016 and 2017.



Your donation would help Lentara UnitingCare buy tools and equipment, obtain healthy food, fruit and vegetables, enable the men to participate in men’s health and wellbeing programs and support attendance at community forums and events.