Submitted by Bruce Men’s Shed
The struggle to make friends as a man is real. What are you doing about it? Locally, a group of men are trying to change the narrative by forming the Bruce Men’s Shed based upon the global movement that originated from Australia.
Men’s Sheds work to create a safe and friendly environment where men can work on meaningful projects, at their own pace, in their own time, while in the company of other men. Men’s Sheds are a place where some men learn, some teach, and some are happy to watch. A Men’s Shed offers men an alternate way to reach out to avoid ‘isolation’ while giving back to society, with the primary focus on improving the health and wellness of the members through healthy connections with other men. A growing collection of evidence-based research reveals that such health improvements benefit men and the entire community in which they reside.
Canada’s Men’s Shed movement is growing locally, provincially, and nationally. A recent radio Podcast via CBC News explored the International Men’s Shed movement and how men make and hold onto friends into adulthood. Interviews with Max Dickins, author of Billy No-Mates: “How I Realized Men Have a Friendship Problem” – as well as the lead for Men’s Sheds Ontario (MSO), John Peters, about his efforts to create spaces for men to get together throughout the province. Visit http://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-45-ontario-today/clip/16001671-the-struggle-friends-man-what-it to listen to the Podcast.
On July 25th, the Bruce Men’s Shed welcomed John Peters and Nick Fry from the Men’s Shed Ontario (MSO) leadership team to an evening event hosted at the Pike Bay Community Centre. The MSO reps addressed a full house of men from the Peninsula about what Men’s Sheds can offer and what is going on around the province with existing and newly formed sheds. The MSO reps expressed much excitement about the growth of the Bruce Men’s Shed for such a young shed which was created on April 1st this year.
On July 30th, the Bruce Men’s Shed was invited by a local couple to explore a straw bale home garden and fruit trees that have benefited from the end-of-season mulch from the gardens. This site visit was in follow-up to an earlier straw bale gardening presentation at a general meeting that solicited much interest.
A local group of artists performed various musical numbers for all in attendance as the event welcomed friends and family to participate and enjoy the gathering. Many men left with plans of creating their own straw bale gardens next spring.
Monthly Meeting Date
Starting on Saturday, August 19th, the Bruce Men’s Shed will host general meetings on the third Saturday of each month. The third Saturday will be for general meetings only as various projects, events, and activities will/may be held on other dates outside the regularly scheduled monthly meeting dates. General meetings are held at the Lion’s Head Legion, Branch #202 (Hwy 6 north of Ferndale), starting at 9:00 am.
If you want further information on how to get involved with the Men’s Shed movement, please don’t hesitate to contact the Men’s Shed leadership team at brucemensshed@gmail.com or call Gerry at (519) 793 – 3005.
