Calne Men’s Shed enjoyed a special visit from the ‘soon to be formed’ Men’s Shed in Amesbury and their Mayor yesterday afternoon.
Residents of Amesbury have been trying to form a Men's Shed for years and recently found that their Mayor, Dr Monica Devendran is willing to champion their dream.
The benefits of a Men's Shed are well documented. The first Shed opened in South Australia in 1993, founded by Maxine Chaseling who had worked in aged services for many years. She came up with the idea of a men's shed after her own father had become depressed and felt stuck at home after having a heart attack and not being able to work anymore. The Men's Shed gives a focus point for purpose, for mentoring younger generations, socialising, and ultimately to create better mental health outcomes.
Amesbury Council are financing a brand-new building at the Centenary Pavilion in Amesbury and the first brick will be placed next week.
As part of their preparations and research, the group came to visit Calne Men's Shed to learn more about what is involved in opening a shed of their own.
Dr Monica Devendran, Ian Lawes and Alan Smith from Amesbury were joined in the Lansdowne Hotel for a light lunch with Calne Town Mayor, Robert MacNaughton, Ali Robinson - Calne Town Clerk, Gus Gooch - a previous secretary and founder member of Calne Men's Shed who is currently a Wiltshire Ambassador for Men’s Sheds throughout the UK, Jeff Rawlings - CMS Secretary, Polly Morrow - Chair of CMS and Jonathan Brand.
The group then visited Calne Men's Shed premises at the Recreation Ground. Polly Morrow told us: "We discussed the general aims of a Men’s Shed. It is not all about making things for the community or making items to sell to help boost our funds; it is also about making items for ourselves, learning new skills, camaraderie, fun, conversation, teaching others, caring for others and much more.
"The making of items improves well-being and can help enormously with mental health. Dr Devendran was extremely interested in case stories of members who had found that being social or active members of a Shed can help with mental health."
"We all chatted for much longer than we had anticipated in the workshop and over tea and cake – any excuse to have tea and cake is part of the ethos in the majority of Sheds worldwide! Dr Devendran was most interested in our work, a lot of which is displayed in a glass fronted cabinet in our tea room, she saw several different types of woodwork evolving and she took lots of photographs including videos of work that was in progress.
"We all enjoyed the visit and have forged good communications between the two Sheds and towns. This is also about what Men’s Sheds (not just for men!) are all about and exactly why the Shed movement has spread worldwide so quickly."
Following her visit, Mayor Dr Devendran thanked the group for their 'outstanding hospitality', noting: "Your dedication and hard work in creating such a welcoming environment at the men's shed are truly commendable.
"The camaraderie and sense of community that permeates through your organisation are a testament to your incredible efforts. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your community and to witness firsthand the positive impact you are making in the lives of so many."
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