Mens shed upgrade dreams

McEwen MP Rob Mitchell, Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage, and Whittlesea council chief executive Craig Lloyd visited the shed on Whittlesea-Yea road. (supplied)

Whittlesea Men’s Shed members are pushing their case for their vision for the expansion of their current location to help further improve men’s health.

McEwen MP Rob Mitchell, Yan Yean MP Lauren Kathage, and Whittlesea council chief executive Craig Lloyd visited the shed on Whittlesea-Yea Road to meet with shed members about the potential for expansion and upgrades and get a look into what the men get up to.

Shed secretary Brian Pratt said the shed was a legitimate workshop, with some members producing furniture to sell, and others attending more for the social aspect.

“The existing shed has no separate space unconnected to the noisy workshop environment where they can chat, play cards, or board games,” he said.

“The proposed next stage of development of the shed plans to create a separate room to facilitate this goal.

“It will provide a space for use by other local community groups whenever the WMS is not operating.”

“The shed provides a place for men to hang out and interact with other men. This is critical to address issues of social isolation felt by many men when they cease full-time work and-or lose a loved-one.

“The shed has plans to try to engage younger men.”

The shed currently has about 70 members that meet to improve men’s overall mental and physical health.