Men’s Shed: A place where people gather to create

BY STEVEN KASZAB

What is Men’s Shed and why should i care? Good question folks.

A shed is a place where men usually keep their tools and nik-naks, where they carry on with their hobbies and wood working too. It is also a place where men find solitude and peaceful co-existence in a world too loud and busy to control or even understand.

Men have been the traditional backbone and rock of families worldwide, the wage earner most times. It was what they were taught to do by their parents and their communities as well. Support their partners and family at all times through whatever challenges the fates bring. What about the solitary man, the divorced, retired, ill, or solitary man? Who supports him in his time of need? It makes sense having someone cut from the same cloth to offer a helping hand, a working man in search of betterment for himself and others.

Men’s Shed is an organization that offers a place to do whatever a man wishes to do, be it: woodworking, crafts, gardening, building, or socializing. Men are welcomed to a place of vibrancy and creativity, a place where they can let their hair down, chew the fat with other fellas, and actually stop in their busy day and smell the roses, saw dust, or perked coffee. The organization offers many services to its members and the community as well, raising funds for the needy, clothing drives, sales of items made by the membership, and sold non-profit.

What makes this organization unique is its flexibility in operation and scope. If a group of men wish to gather, they can do so and concentrate on making just about anything. In Ireland, a group are engaged in flowers and gardening, while others are woodworkers of a fine caliber. Men’s Shed gather in the countryside rural atmosphere, downtown urban centers and just about anywhere. There is no border the organization cannot tread across as Men’s Shed is global in scope and attitude. All are welcome as the founders so desired. First founded in Australia in the 1980’s it has grown exponentially to encompass an organizational membership with no borders.

The membership loves to introduce the young to Men’s Shed trades and purpose. Learning from experts how to bring a piece of wood back to life, a bead or flower into a piece of jewelry, wool, or cloth into clothing at best. Creating and appreciating the beauty nature offers is their purpose, gathering and supporting one another their creed.

Men’s Shed are located across Canada and international as well. A volunteer organization with a touch of class. A charity with personality. Look it up online and search to your heart’s content.