Mens Shed NR

Two weeks ago I suggested linking youth seeking more work skills with the men who attend Men’s Sheds to help overcome the ‘experienced persons need only apply’ criteria for advertised positions and asked if any organisers were interested in developing this connection. I had 3 phone calls, all from people associated with the AFS Pharmacies Men’s Shed @ PCYC inviting me to visit their shed underneath the North Rockhampton PCYC building. I accepted and learnt they already have a connection with the Rockhampton North Special School, regularly teaching some students trade skills. AFS Pharmacies and the PCYC plans for the Men’s Shed include the well being benefits of a place that men can congregate at and work on community projects as well as for the men to mentor local youth wanting to learn new work skills. A variety of retired tradesman regularly attend and they welcome more, particularly any electricians to broaden their skill base. Ten dollars covers the necessary insurance. Being a not for profit group they rely on donations; including offers of tools, materials and machinery. The meeting with these gentlemen reinforced my expressed thoughts of the benefits voluntarily connecting youth wanting to broaden their skill knowledge to men who attend Men’s Sheds. The AFS Pharmacies Men’s Shed @ PCYC welcomes youth who are interested. They also welcome more community support, be it cash, materials, machines; even suitable community projects for the men to complete. If you have some items in your shed that with some refurbishment would be of value they’ll take it of your hands to restore and sell at local markets to raise funds. Government assistance is often required in gaining suitable infrastructure (land and shed) to set up a Men’s Shed but after that they are left to their own. Community self help; we all should embrace the benefits Men’s Sheds offer its members, support the work they do for not for profit organisations and if they decide to mentor youth help them get this message out. A simple way to support the AFS Men’s Shed is leave a donation in the box at any AFS Pharmacy. To contact the AFS Men’s Shed phone the PCYC on 4927 7899.