Hands-on creativity returns to social Shed

MAKERS in the Ballarat Community Men’s Shed can come back to their base at Barkly Square to craft and chat.

Program coordinator, Duanne Seivers looks after safety and wellbeing, and said people of all abilities are welcome to come in and “just be there.”

“It’s an inclusive place for men, and we have had female members, to gather and socialise,” he said.

“They don’t necessarily need to do woodwork, because that’s not the biggest part about it, it’s the social and mental health side of it, to get people out of the house and active in the community.

“Most of our members are 50-plus and a lot are single. If they didn’t come to the shed, a lot would be isolated.”

Ken Young is one of around 35 members of the Shed, which first opened at another location in 2006.

“I’ve always been handy, and when I retired, I wanted somewhere to go to keep my mind active. I like to make things and get involved,” he said.

“We’ve got beautiful machinery. Out of recycled timber I make chopping boards and cheese knives, and we make wooden ball-point and fountain pens, kids’ toys, little tables, and trees out of pallets at Christmas time.

“All the fellas, we have a talk. If you want to play the computer, you can. If you want to sit and do nothing, you can.”

The Shed is a not-for-profit supported by the Salvation Army, open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Call 5337 0600 to make an inquiry.

Attendance is currently on a roster system to ensure members COVID safe.