Mateship Saves Lives

WORDS LIANE MORRIS

Newcastle Men's Shed

"Men don't talk face to face; they talk shoulder to shoulder." Professor Barry Golding, Australian Men's Shed Association Patron

It's a well-known fact that there is a mental health crisis in the country today, and in Australia, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. According to Beyond Blue, seven men die by suicide daily in Australia. This is a shocking statistic made worse by the fact that men are much less likely to seek help.

There is, however, a global movement that had its humble beginnings right here in the Newcastle region that is working to change that – one cup of tea (or coffee) at a time. The Men's Shed movement sprung up almost simultaneously in a number of locations around Australia in the late 1990s. In Newcastle, Liz McDonald, Centacare Community Development Manager of the Maitland Newcastle Catholic Diocese at the time, was asked by the Director to establish a Men's Shed in Windale, which she did. She went on to found the Maitland and Singleton Men's Sheds, then with her team, began lobbying the government to establish a peak body.

"That happened in 2010 when the Rudd Labor Government acknowledged Men's Sheds in addressing social isolation and men's health and wellbeing as part of their National Male Health Policy. There were about 250 Sheds at the time," said Liz. "We went on to also help establish the international body, and we now operate out of the Newcastle CBD."

Based on the concept of 'mateship saves lives', the purpose of a Men's Shed is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of men of all ages. It's to provide men with a purpose, address social isolation, to help them become active and better connected with others and their local community. There are now almost 3,000 Men's Sheds across the world.

The Newcastle Men's Shed began life in the old administration building of the BHP in 2014 until it flooded in 2016. Since then, they have made six moves in five years. With the assistance of the late Meg Purser, a tireless supporter of several Newcastle not-forprofit organisations and a communications professional with excellent business networks, the organisation found itself a new shopfront home in Beaumont Street Hamilton, thanks to the Hamilton Business Improvement Association and Westpac Bank.

With membership stretching past the 100 mark, this space was not big enough. Some of the members (or shedders as they are known) had been lobbying for two years to get use of an old railway property at New Lambton, and permission was finally granted. The Newcastle Men's Shed is now spread across both locations, with New Lambton used for larger projects and workshop space and the shopfront at Hamilton to sell small items such as wooden toys, cutting boards and wooden bowls.

The Newcastle Men's Shed is a meeting place where men of all ages volunteer to work together on a vast range of projects, most of which are for the good of the community. Although most of the men are retired, men of all ages are welcome. They come from a wide range of backgrounds, including retired tradies, doctors, solicitors, bank managers and labourers. Their work includes making and repairing school benches and restaurant tables, repairing chairs and tables, and making wooden toys and kitchen utensils. They do not promote themselves as a trade organisation and do not compete or take work away from local businesses.

Secretary Wayne Grant explains, "We get requests for jobs to be done, and they get posted to the jobs board. Our volunteers check the board regularly and put their hands up for the ones they want to take on. There's always someone keen to do a job. We recently built two outdoor settings for a lady who couldn't find what she wanted elsewhere. She was delighted with the result."

"When they first join, our members don't know what to expect. Some have no practical skills, but they're always surprised at what they can achieve once someone takes the time to teach them. There's such enthusiasm and positivity. Of course, some blokes just like to natter over a cup of tea or coffee, or they pop in for our Tuesday lunches – they don't have to do jobs at all. It's a great way to reconnect with people and do good work in your local community if you feel like it."

The organisation also runs several school mentorship programs where young secondary students are taught a range of skills such as woodworking, welding and fabrication - there's even an automotive program. Students are generally around 15 years of age and sometimes wonder whether they are suited to staying at school. The program aims to build the confidence of young people and to help them build skills that may lead to jobs or apprenticeships.

"There's a sense of passing on wisdom and the building of mutual respect. We've never had a bad kid yet. There's always a change of attitude and a great vibe."

Similarly, young men who need upskilling to improve employment prospects and increase confidence can volunteer and learn from the older shedders.

"We've had guys as young as 24 who have been in a bad place when they first come here. Maybe they've lost their job, broken up and had to leave their home. They can come here, have a chat and a cuppa and have a go at helping out on a project. There have been many success stories where the work they've done with us has led to employment and a more positive outlook on life."

Another aspect of the work that the Newcastle Men's Shed does is to provide information to support its members. This often takes the form of seminars given by experts on subjects as diverse as suicide prevention, elder abuse, how to use a defibrillator, nutrition and dementia.

The organisation relies on grants and funding from Federal and State governments as well as the peak body, Australian Men's Shed Association and several local businesses that include Port of Newcastle, Port Waratah Coal Services, Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group and more.

The Newcastle Men's Shed also supports other causes and organisations, such as Sione's Foundation, founded by ex-Knights player Sione Finefeuiaki to improve living standards and provide a better future for the Tongan community. There is a key focus on disadvantaged, marginalised or isolated children. The shedders collect tools, bedding, computers, clothing and non-perishables to send over in shipping containers.

Newcastle Men's Shed is looking to increase their membership from 110 active members to 200 now that they've established themselves in two new locations and have plenty of room to expand. Their latest project, for which they have received a federal government grant, is to establish a large community garden to grow produce that can be shared with their members and surplus with Oz Harvest. Blokes with green thumbs are encouraged to join in!

The best way to get started is to come along and introduce yourself. The shedders will give you a tour of their shed and get to know you. Feel free to visit between 9am–2pm on weekdays, or why not meet at one of their upcoming events – see the website for details. If you wish to become a member, it's open for those aged 18 years and over and costs $30 for the financial year.

VISIT: 99 Beaumont Street Hamilton, or Kings Road Access Via Lane Between 143 and 145 Kings Road, Adamstown.

MORE INFO: www.newcastlemensshed.com