Men hammer home importance of sheds

Bunbury Men’s Shed chairman Kim Rudd said he never imagined how important the workshop would be until it helped save the lives of some members.

As a founding member of the shed, Mr Rudd said at first he thought men’s sheds were just a place for men to build things.

But what came out of the woodwork was much more than any item created by these men.

“We had two members who were suicidal. Somehow their wives found us and brought them here,” Mr Rudd said.

“They walked in and felt so welcomed and they’ve since turned their lives around and their wives are so thankful.”

This Men’s Shed Week the Bunbury organisation’s 100 members are celebrating far more than the works of art they have created in the workshop.

The week highlights the contribution of Men’s Sheds to their members’ health and wellbeing, providing a space for men to get together, be social and support one another.

“I didn’t appreciate that when men retire, if they’re not into bowls or golf how do they occupy their time?” Mr Rudd said.

“It’s so important for men’s mental health and health in general that they have a social environment.

“We have an ethos that if someone comes to the door, make them welcome, sit down have a cup of tea.”