Men’s sheds
Men’s sheds provide a safe, friendly and inclusive environment where men can meet and work on meaningful projects:
- at their own pace
- in their own time
- in the company of other men.
There is a network of over 1000 men’s sheds across Australia.
Purpose
Men’s sheds aim to improve the health and wellbeing of Australian men. They address social isolation and boost men’s mental health in terms of:
- feeling safe
- making friends
- sharing meaningful activities.
They also provide vital health information and resources that men may not usually access, or may be reluctant to access. A study in 2013 found that men’s shed members had significantly better scores than non-shed members for:
- physical functioning
- general health
- vitality
- mental health.
Participants
Men’s sheds are for all men from a local community who wish to join. They may particularly help men:
- from disadvantaged areas or groups
- who wish to learn a new skill
- who want to spend some time in male company.
Activities
Men’s sheds may do a variety of activities from manual crafts to gardening to beekeeping. Some may undertake community projects such as making toys for local childcare groups. Men’s sheds may provide an opportunity to learn new skills such as first aid. They may hold health and wellbeing events and provide contacts for men to follow up on their health needs. Men’s sheds can also provide company or an opportunity to make friends.
Costs
Men’s sheds may charge a small fee to cover insurance requirements. Ask your local men’s shed.
Locations
To find your local men's shed, contact AMSA or use their find-a-shed tool.
Men’s sheds are independent, community-based organisations. Local councils or other community-based organisations may provide a meeting place for men’s sheds. The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) can provide further information. We do not fund the building of a men’s shed.
Funding
We provide funding of $1 million per year for the National Shed Development Programme (NSDP), a competitive grants program run twice a year. Men’s sheds can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help with:
- health and wellbeing activities and events
- shed improvements
- tools and equipment.
AMSA administers the NSDP on our behalf.
We also fund AMSA to provide information and guidance to men’s sheds across Australia and to promote their benefits for men’s health and wellbeing.
We provide further support to men’s sheds through the:
Oversight
The Australian Men’s Shed Association oversees the NSDP on our behalf.
We oversee the funding of men’s sheds, including the defibrillator initiative and the regional coordinators initiative.
We commissioned reviews of the governance and support for the men's shed movement.
Contacts
Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA)
