The Kamloops Men’s Shed Association (KMSA) were in 100 Mile House Saturday to give a presentation to those interested in potentially starting a new men’s shed in town.
Gerry Hennings, the chairmen of the KMSA, was among those who held the meeting at the South Cariboo Rec Centre on Saturday, April 27 which attracted around eight attendees. Hennings’ goal was to explain what a Men’s Shed is and why 100 Mile House could benefit from one.
“Because I think (100 Mile House) has a fairly large retirement community, and plus, it’s good for the mental health of men, whether they’re working or not, to have a place to go and sit down and have a coffee and come together at ideas and maybe do some good community projects that could help everybody in the community,” Hennings explained.
A Men’s Shed is a place where someone “belongs”, which is all about men’s health and well-being, while also doing meaningful projects for the community. The concept dates back to 1993 when Maxine Chaseling of South Australia noticed her father struggling to mentally and emotionally recover from a heart attack. It was only when her father was out working on projects in his shed with other men that she saw his mental health improve and realized the power of such fraternity.
Since then, Men’s Sheds have become a phenomenon worldwide: the first Men’s Shed was formed in Canada in 2005, and they have existed in British Columbia since 2014. In the Cariboo region, men’s sheds have been established in Quesnel and Williams Lake.
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Men’s Sheds also have had an impact on the communities they serve - the Vanderhoof Men’s Shed recently raised $7,710 for the local oncology unit at St. John’s Hospital. The presentation stated that starting a Men’s Shed is actually relatively simple.
”We formed a shed in Kamloops and at the end of November, we started to meet once a week at the local library, because it was the one place we could get a room rental, and it evolved in the first meeting - I think I had eight members, anyway, by the end of January, we were up to 15 members,” Hennings said.
In addition, grant availability was also highlighted including Help Age Canada, which provides grants for start-up men’s sheds up to $1,000.
Hennings said that the Kamloops Men’s Shed has received advice from the Vernon Men’s Shed and the Kamloops branch is willing to offer the same to a prospective 100 Mile Men’s Shed.
“We could be a mentor for you.”
South Cariboo local Andy Grey attended the presentation and said that residents of 100 Mile House could gain something from the founding of a Men’s Shed. Grey pointed to the success of the 100 Mile Repair Cafe which is made up of several handymen dedicated to repairing household items for people. He hopes to get 100 Mile House’s own Men’s Shed off the ground in the coming months.
“Establishing is to begin with meetings, probably in the library,” Grey said.
Grey notes that if there is enough interest, he will look into securing some grants such as the ones mentioned in the presentation.
Hennings says that those who wish to know more about the Men’s Shed should check out the BC Men’s Shed Association’s website.