Uniting Hearts and Hands
Community spirit is thriving at Burpengary and District Men’s Shed, with the Shed recently introducing two new initiatives that highlight their commitment to supporting members and fostering engagement with the broader community.
When several members needed to move to a nearby Retirement Village due to poor health, thoughtful fellow members recognised that the transition was proving difficult, with the men missing the camaraderie and engagement they found in the Shed. Their mates at the Shed devised a thoughtful solution and made wooden model aeroplane kits that could be assembled onsite in the Village. These kits provided relocated members with meaningful activity and contributed to the Shed’s annual toy drive, benefitting local charities and those in need.
From this simple yet impactful gesture emerged a collaboration between Burpengary Men’s Shed and The Sanctuary Retirement Village. Shed president Rodney Hansen reflects on the evolution of this initiative: “What started as us just looking after ‘Our Own’ gradually grew into a fully-fledged initiative that sees our Shed supply interested residents with model kits to assemble.” Said Rodney.
Rachael Treverton, Events & Activities Coordinator at The Sanctuary, shares the positive impact of the initiative. “This has been wonderful for some of the less mobile men to fill in the hours and help them engage in a meaningful activity,” she said.
“One resident is selling them to other residents and family members with funds going back into our community through the residents committee”.
In 2023, the Shed also introduced a Shed Ambassador Program designed to enhance the welcoming environment of the Shed; this program appoints ambassadors to greet visitors and new members. These ambassadors provide Shed tours, facilitate introductions, help with membership paperwork over a friendly cuppa, and act as mentors, helping newcomers integrate into like-minded groups and establish their own Shed network.
Through initiatives like these, Burpengary Shed embodies the camaraderie and support that defines the Men’s Shed movement.
