Jane Farrell, Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed secretary
THE Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed is a shed with a difference.
It is space for multicultural men to come together to meet, talk and share.
But it is more than that – it is a space where all men can feel welcome, a place for men to understand the difference in others and accept and celebrate those differences.
Springvale is one of the most multicultural cities in Victoria with local residents coming from 156 birthplaces.
More than half of the residents were born overseas and just under half come from countries where English is not the main spoken language.
This diversity means Springvale is culturally rich but for many residents the struggle with low or no income is a daily concern.
Unemployment is high, English still developing and many men are socially isolated from the wider community.
The Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed is purpose built to empower men to become more self-aware in a confidential and supportive environment, to share experiences of different cultures, to share without judgment, to provide emotional support, to foster networking, to support men in transition from redundancy, bereavement, retirement, ill health or relocation, and address men’s health (physical, emotional and social) in the community.
We believe there is enormous value to the wider community in building friendships and connections among men from many different cultural backgrounds.
Our shed is a safe place for sharing concerns and fears, learning new skills, building understanding and engagement in a culturally sensitive environment.
Our shed is not a place for tools and woodwork – we offer English at work classes, an art group with drawing and painting, and a weekly catch up cafe where men come together each Wednesday over a cup of tea or coffee to talk and listen to one another.
From the cafe, men can be linked to other activities in our shed or to organisations in the community that can offer valuable services, information and assistance.
For men who are not in work we will deliver skills, vocational training and mentoring in preparation for employment.
Information sessions will be available on key issues – health, community safety, family violence, financial/budgeting, legal issues – rights and advice.
For men who are interested in woodwork, we partner and refer to neighbourhood sheds.
After four years of hard work by our committed volunteers and our committee of management we opened our shed with a celebration welcome barbecue on 14 February.
More than 130 people came to see the shed, eat, meet and talk in a demonstration of what we do.
We are very grateful for all the support we receive from volunteers, other sheds, donors and funding partners and we continue to build partnerships to fund our programs.
Our shed is a place for multicultural men although we welcome women and families.
It is a shed that encourages belonging and a shed that will make a difference to our local community.
New members are welcome!
The shed is at 47 Balmoral Avenue, Springvale, and can be contacted through springvalemms@gmail.com.
