BUILDING friendships is more important than building furniture, says Borenore/Nashdale Community Men’s Shed president Abb Cantrill.
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Following yesterday’s official opening of the shed at the Borenore Field Days site, Mr Cantrill told the Central Western Daily just how important a role the shed played in the lives of many rural men, and in helping combat the issues of isolation and depression.
“The most important thing is companionship, that’s what the Men’s Shed is really about, not just doing things,” he said.
“People in our area become isolated because they lose a partner and get lonely.
“It is also sharing what you have learnt right throughout your life.”
Mr Cantrill knows first-hand just how beneficial the Men’s Shed can be.
After being diagnosed with two types of cancers and facing the prospect of only having two years left to live, he says he found comfort in being able to talk “shoulder to shoulder” with other men.
“Lots of people don’t talk about health with their wives or families, they should, but they will talk about it with other men,” he said. “It’s an experience you do need,companionship does help.”
While the men of Borenore and Nashdale have been tinkering in their shed for around a year now, it was officially recognised yesterday as one of the 400 Men’s Sheds popping up across Australia.
With the help of UnitingCare Ageing the men have been lucky enough to wade through all the paperwork and insurance and simply get down to business.
About 24 men from the area are enjoying the tools and company that can be found in the shed, along with four disabled men who have been made honorary members.
erin.somerville@ruralpress.com
