Men's Shed needs help to find a home

February 25th, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

The Motueka Men's Shed has run out of space and is looking for a home to call its own to cater for men looking for fellowship and a creative outlet.

The local branch of this global organisation began about three years ago, has been operating in a double bus garage beside the Recreation Centre but is unable to expand beyond its 10 or so regulars due to lack of space and permanence.

Two of its founders, Tony Small and Hugh Booker, last week asked Vision Motueka members if they could help find an existing standalone shed, or land on which to build one, after more than a year themselves pleading for help.

They said that there have been plenty of suggestions but none were in fact feasible because of a variety of factors including high rental demands, proximity to domestic properties and inadequate size.

The two main options they had pursued were a space at Marchwood Park, which has been denied by the A&P Association, and beside the Community Gardens, which TDC was unhappy about.

Council said the gardens land - an old sawdust dump - was not suitable for erecting a building, and it would be too costly to lay on electricity and water.

Although Vision Motueka was unable to help as an organisation, several of those attending the meeting - including Motueka Community Board chairman Paul Hawkes - offered to pursue a solution that may require some innovation and lateral thinking.

Tony and Hugh said the limited size of the borrowed garage they are using at present meant they were unable to actively seek new members. Likewise they were unable to store materials and tools they have been donated.

A suitable shed would need to provide ready access without compromising other people's privacy, confidence in a long-term lease or ownership, room for expansion and low outgoings.

The Men's Shed organisation has four main aims:

Make and repair things for the community and themselves
Share and pass on skills, ideas and knowledge
Tell stories, plan new projects
Enjoy each other's company

The group has an important role mentoring, and learning from, younger members, as well as potentially contributing to wider community activities. For example, it has helped the community gardens repair tools, done small maintenance jobs for the Recreation Centre, and refurbished some of the benches in the CBD and at the tennis club.

Some of the members have been referred by local social agencies as an organisation where men who may be a little socially isolated can feel at home and gain self-esteem through learning and exercising skills, as well as discussing their concerns comfortably.

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