Grants for Men’s Sheds

The humble backyard shed has long been revered as a special place by Australian men, but the potential for the shed to create connections and provide support for older and disadvantaged Australians is now being recognised, with the Federal Government announcing grants for Men’s Sheds around the country.

The Federal Government has announced grants to build new Men’s Sheds in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, with another 16 established Men’s Sheds around the country to receive a grant to upgrade their work spaces, buy new equipment or hire staff.

• Unfamiliar with the Men’s Sheds concept? Find out more information about this approach to men’s health here. 

Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon says Men’s Sheds play an important role by providing meeting places for men to stay connected within the community, while helping their physical and mental wellbeing.

Snowdon says Men’s Sheds – based on the traditional backyard shed - provide a relaxed place for men to meet and continue a hobby, learn new skills, or just pop in for a chat and a cuppa.

He says isolation, loneliness and depression are major health issues for many Australian men, which is compounded by the male culture of not talking about feelings or emotions and not taking as active an interest in their own health and wellbeing as they should.

Snowdon says Men’s Sheds can play a significant role in reducing these problems by connecting men with each other and their communities without pressure.

He says most sheds also undertake community work, so there’s an opportunity for men to be involved in something meaningful and make a positive contribution to the community.

Funding for the 20 Men’s Sheds was provided under round one of the Shed Development Program, which is part of the National Male Health Policy.

Under this program, the Australian Government is providing $750,000 over three years through the Australian Men’s Shed Association to provide financial assistance to eligible men’s sheds across the country.

More funding will be made available in the second round of the Men’s Shed Development Program which will open in late February 2011. For information on how to apply, please see: www.mensshed.org