Kirwan backs Waihi beach Menz Shed
Health and wellness awareness at Menz Sheds around NZ
Sir John Kirwan is getting behind a Menz Shed for Waihi Beach and joined members on Friday to put a spade in the ground to mark the start of the community group’s new facility.
Preparations are under way for the 9m x 14m, grade two Goldpine building which will be located behind the Waihi Beach Community Centre. With plans to start work in the next eight weeks, the building will finally put the “shed” in Menz Shed, providing space to work on the various projects they aim to take on in the community.
Supported by many community businesses already, including Mark Davidson from Freestyle Architecture who provided free the complete design and consent process, LJ
Hooker Waihi Beach, Valda Trust, Chartwell Trust, Waihi Beach Community Board. With a list of local patrons that include Waihi Beach part-time local John Kirwan, the project has raised enough funds to be
able to close in the building.
Chairman Brian Baynes has a long list of local trades and services waiting to be called upon to help out.
“People have already generously donated so much. We’ve still got a
way to go to fit it out, but we know once we begin people will be keen to lend a hand.”
Menz Shed, is a national programme that aims to bring communities together with shared skills that can support community projects, better access to resources and promote connection and collaboration. Fostering friendships for men is important, though women are more than welcome, and the Waihi Beach Menz Shed hopes the facility will help support the growing need for better men’s and older people’s physical and mental health awareness.
At Friday’s ceremony, mental health advocate John Kirwan reflected on the dire need for better mental health support for older people and, having seen the benefits of the North Shore Menz Shed he’s also been involved in, hopes that the same opportunities will soon be available to the Waihi Beach community.
Brian says: “When men are walking or working side by side that is when they will talk and share ideas and thoughts and can help each other. That’s why things like Menz Shed work so well.”
The Menz Shed is looking for volunteers to help with the project.