Building Health Project (Men’s Shed)

This project was an initiative of Community 3777 Healesville Township Group and was funded during 2009 by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Healesville Living and Learning Centre was the lead agency for the funding, an active member of the Steering Group and supplied the facilities and other support for the project.

The Shed opened on Monday 9^th February 2009 – just 2 days after the Black Saturday fire disaster and while the community of Healesville was still under imminent threat of fire. Alan Jones, Project Leader, and Peter Oliver (Ollie), Project Assistant had spent many months preparing for the opening, but they were left unsure at how many participants would show up, considering the conditions.

On the first day, three men turned up.

Originally we opened from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Mondays and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesdays. Attendance at the early meetings was a little spasmodic, probably because of the bushfires, but by the mid year we were averaging about five or six a day. They would not always be the same members however. Sometimes we would get eight or nine which is about the limit for our shed because of space requirements. Today we get about four or five on Mondays and up to eight on Wednesdays. The total enrolment for 2009 has been 29 people.

Our shed is situated in a building previously used for woodworking classes, and our members seem to have gravitated in that direction. We have not restricted our activities to woodwork. Members are asked what they would like to do when they join so that we can extend activities to suit their requirements if at all feasible. We have some metal working equipment and a space available but it has only had a little use. We are currently planning some gardening activities and applied for a grant for community cooking classes.

During the early meetings the members developed their own Code of Ethics and rules relating to health and safety were established. There are no other rules. The members are free to come and go at will during the times the shed is open.  Our members often bring in projects of their own. They have repaired and made household items for themselves, made improvements to the shed, made toys, art easels and other items for sale, and completed a few projects for the community.

Several members have participated for the fellowship and rarely participate in practical activities. Some have been suffering effects of their fire experiences and a group are attending from the Golden Wattle Club, an aged day care organisation.

Our first task was to make a round table to sit around while not working. Everyone gets drawn into the conversation which sometimes becomes quite vigorous, but always good fun. In fact, it is the most important asset we have. Another member was talked into coming because he was a bit of an isolate and reluctant to get work. Within a month he had found a job and was thoroughly enjoying it. He still calls in if the shed is open and he is not working.

Most members seem to come along to chat and do things together. They simply enjoy the company. Some members are very elderly, some have marked disabilities, and some are younger and more active. We have a good mix and everyone seems ready to step in to help one another.

There is considerable health information in racks readily available to the members. Sometimes health problems are discussed around the table and it has been quite surprising just how candid some members have been. We have been visited by councillors to assist with bush fire trauma, and Australian Hearing to do free hearing tests. All members who qualified for these tests and who were present at the time had their hearing tested.

We did not officially open the shed. It seemed inappropriate as we were still suffering from the aftermath of the bush fires back then. However we did hold a celebration day in September. This was a great success with about 90 people coming to see what we were doing. After the formalities we had a live band, hot food and a wood turning demonstration by a local woodworking club. We achieved good coverage in the local paper.

We have written a sustainability plan and have already applied to a number of agencies for assistance. We plan to raise some funds from the sale of our endeavours but will be somewhat reliant on outside assistance, especially to help with the wages for coordination. We believe our members, who generally have low incomes, are deriving great benefits from the shed and cannot be expected to fully fund the shed themselves. We also cater for a number of members with disabilities who would be unable to attend if no staff were provided to coordinate their activities.

Our plans for next year are to become more involved with work for the community. We had some problems this year because of lack of skills but through the initiative of one of our members we have found some toys that all members can participate in making and we will be passing these on to kindergartens and the like which were effected by the fires. We have also found a product to make with a good return to assist with sustainability. We have already made jigs so all members will be able to participate in their manufacture.

Funding has been secured for 2010 and the Healesville Living and Learning Centre will be taking over the management and responsibility of the program.

Alan Jones
Coordinator
Healesville Men’s Shed

The Living Well Project

This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. It was an 18 month project that commenced in July 2008 and was completed in December 2009. Hannah Sky was employed as the project worker but was unable to complete the work due to the impact of the bush fire disaster. Karen Kisala, Centre Manager, took over the project management in May 2009 when a replacement for Hannah could not be found.

Originally the project was to target middle aged to older people with chronic illnesses, depression, social and physical isolation issues in Healesville and surrounding areas in Victoria.  The expectation was that it would become an ongoing permanent program that would promote healthy lifestyles and increase participation in appropriate physical exercise, healthy eating and other health improvement programs

The specific aims of the project were to develop sustainable physical activity and health education programs that support and encourage community members to make permanent lifestyle changes that will prevent the onset of chronic diseases and enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.

Due to the impact of the bushfires on Healesville and surrounding districts, the demand for leisure activities diminished significantly and a request was made to the DOHA to change the focus of the project to support community and personal recovery. This request was granted and new activities were developed that concentrated on personal and community wellbeing and recovery. Of the 12 activities developed for terms 1 & 2, 7 were successful and the balance were cancelled or interrupted due to the ongoing threat of the fires.

The project then adapted to the changing conditions and Traditional Chinese Medicine workshops were made available on Saturdays and a replanting day for revegetating fire impacted property was held. The latter attracted 14 participants and an undertaking to continue monthly. Other activities such as dancing, cooking and sailing were well attended. New programs were developed and delivered to meet the changing conditions of the community. Beginners and Advanced Meditation groups, Art therapy sessions, Community Kitchen program proved to be very popular. We also held a Halloween Week of celebration. Morning and Afternoon Tea sessions were held to provide social contact.