The only one like it in Australia: Sandgate District Men’s Shed at the Brighton Health Campus
The partnership between the Sandgate District Men’s Shed and Community and Oral Health (COH) which began in 2016 is still flourishing.
The 2021 Working Together Agreement between the two groups, delivers an expanded workshop where men can socialise over practical projects to reduce loneliness and isolation. As part of the agreement, consumers who access services on the Brighton Health Campus are welcomed to the space and can engage in activities such as woodwork, metal work, leather work, pyrography and painting. This partnership is truly unique as it is the only Men’s Sheds in Australia co-located within a hospital and health service to support the engagement, rehabilitation and wellbeing of patients.
The projects created by this Men’s Shed support the wider Brighton Health Campus Community. In the words of the President:
“We have been able to assist our partners by manufacturing such things as patients dressing sticks, moving boards and numerous rehabilitation devices to assist individual’s recovery from acquired brain injuries. We are also acutely aware of the reduced quality of life problem confronting people with long term or permanent health issues. Our contribution in response to this matter over the past 12 months has been to make a serving table for the recreation room of Gannett House as well as marble game boards, raised garden beds and many more items. With the support and leadership of our three partners at the Wellness Centre, we have been able to run classes in leather work for both male and female local residents”.
The occupational therapists from the Brighton Rehabilitation Unit are especially grateful for the support provided by the Sandgate District Men’s Shed by helping their patients achieve independence quicker and providing useful aids when they return home.
Since locating to the Brighton Health Campus the Shed has grown to a membership of over 100, averaging 251 member visits per month or 14 member visits per day. Due to this success it has also increased its operations from 2 to 5 days a week.
The success of the partnership is due to the close alignment between the values of the Shed’s management committee of Ted Lewis, Pete Lumsdale, Les Batson and Tom Murphy, with Brighton Health staff members and the facilitation and support of the Community and Oral Health Engagement Team.