The Camden Men’s Shed is on the way back, but it needs more community support.
Last week committee members took delivery of a prefabricated shed kit, enabling start of construction of the new community facility.
For over 12 years, the previous home of the Camden Men’s Shed was a valuable community asset and a haven for men of all ages to connect and contribute.
Floods and an expired lease have meant finding a new home and building a new shed.
The new Camden Men’s Shed home will be built on land made available by Carrington Centennial Care, which has offered a long term lease at a significantly reduced rent.
All the amenities and workshop facilities available at the old shed will be provided in the new premises.
The new shed structure will also offer a 40 seat meeting room, with adjoining kitchen and toilet facilities – which will be made available to other local community service groups to use.
Camden MP Sally Quinnell joined the committee and several members last week to help mark the milestone of the arrival of the prefabricated kit from Sheds N Homes.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that Camden Men’s Shed is up and running, and I’m thrilled to be here today to celebrate construction commencing,” Ms Quinnell said.
“Men’s sheds are incredibly important for our community.
“They’re a fantastic opportunity for local men to have a chat with each other, while utilising the skills they’ve honed over many years, and they are an important space for dealing with men’s mental health.”
The Camden Men’s Shed has been relying on community funding and grant programs to get a new home.
While more than $180,000 has been raised, another $150,000 is still required to complete necessary facilities such as toilets, a kitchen and an adjacent car park.
“We are very lucky in Camden to have a wide range of skills sitting right here in our community,’’ says Camden Men’s Shed president David Funnell.
“Our members come from a whole raft of backgrounds – trades, construction, farming and business to name a few.
“There are so many skills that can be put to good use in the community, but of course we first need a physical place for us to gather and work,” he says.
“We also know that men don’t talk so much face to face as they do shoulder to shoulder. A point of connection is so important to prevent isolation, loneliness and social withdrawal.
“The Camden Men’s Shed will offer this while also serving the needs of the local community.’’
If you’d like to donate, contributions can be made via the committee’s Go Fund Me page, which can be found by searching for Camden Men’s Shed.
