Community groups in the Northern Victoria Region are encouraged to submit an application for funding to build or modify a local Men’s Shed as the Brumby Labor Government opened the third round of grants at the Victorian Senior’s Festival today.
The Member for Northern Victoria Region Candy Broad said the funding will expand on the hugely successful network of Men’s Sheds across the state.
“The Brumby Labor Government welcomes applications for the third round of grant funding to help communities meet the cost of building a new shed or redeveloping an existing shed,” Ms Broad said.
“There are already more than 100 Men’s Sheds across the state, providing great benefits for the health and wellbeing of men and the broader community.
“As well as giving older men somewhere to get together and work on worthwhile projects, men’s sheds can link them to information and services for a range of health and well being related issues – which they often don’t actively seek out themselves.
“I encourage local community and not-for-profit organisations to consider applying before the December deadline for a grant of up to $50,000 to establish or redevelop a local shed,” Ms Broad said.
Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville said research conducted by the University of Ballarat[1] found that men who are involved with a local Men’s Shed feel better about themselves, have a strong sense of belonging and enjoyment.
“Men’s Sheds programs are great at addressing the social, health, wellbeing and learning needs of men who are often experiencing complex and difficult changes in their working lives, their physical and mental health, their relationships, status and identities,” Ms Neville said.
“The research shows that men greatly appreciate the opportunity to be accepted by, and give back to, the community through what they make and do in the Sheds.
“These Sheds provide a relaxed place for men to make new friends, talk things over, learn new skills and get involved in their local community, which has great benefits for their individual health and wellbeing.
“And by involving men in local community projects – such as making benches for public parks, or building cubby houses for the local kindergarten – men’s sheds also provide practical benefits for the wider community,” she said.
The Brumby Labor Government has invested $4 million over four years in the Men’s Sheds program – the first program in Australia to provide specific support directly to Men’s Sheds.
For more information or to apply for the Men’s Sheds grants, please visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au Applications close on Thursday 10 December 2009.
[1] Golding, B, Brown, M and Foley, A, 2007, Men’s Sheds in Australia: Learning through community contexts