Interest in a place where men can go and socialize and perhaps work on a few projects continues to grow in Houston with another meeting planned for March 30 at the Houston Public Library.
Fraser Lake resident Jan Fennema who belongs to the Fraser Lake Men’s Shed and is president of the Men’s Shed Association of B.C. will build upon a first trip he made to the community on Feb. 19.
That first meeting drew a lot of interest and Fennema will speak more about what a Men’s Shed group can add to the community.
Although the term ‘men’s shed’ gives the impression of a place where people can go to fix small appliances, do woodworking and get advice and guidance for other small projects, a men’s shed also provides a fulfilling space for men, said Fennema.
“It gives a place where a guy can go to have a coffee and talk. A lot of guys will not, for instance, if they’re having some sort of issues, health wise, talk to their wife about it. They won’t talk to their doctor about it. But men will talk to men. You’re basically taking care of one another,” he said.
The idea for a men’s shed began in Australia when a group of men sought the equivalent of sewing circles and other social groups formed by women.
There are now approximately 100 men’s sheds in Canada, half of which are in B.C. and Fenemma says the goal is to establish one in every community.
He stressed that while there are broad principles behind men’s sheds in Canada, much also depends upon how each individual one chooses to operate.
In Fraser Lake, for example, the Fraser Lake Men’s Shed group rented an empty store, using grants to fix up a back portion in which they can gather, talk and work on projects.
The front portion has been converted into a re-use it store where people can bring small appliances and other items which are perfectly fine for resale or which require a bit of repair.
“The Fraser Lake community has been really good at supporting us by giving us things,” Fenemma said.
An added benefit is reducing the amount of items that would otherwise be taken to a landfill.
Money raised goes toward rent and to community projects.
“At the end of every year we donate money back to the community. It’s all 100 per cent volunteer,” said Fennema.
Fraser Lake members will also donate time working on small home repair or other projects for community members but not to the point of replacing contractors.
The Fraser Lake group has plans to move to a larger space next door for its re-use it store so the current building can exclusively be devoted to a gathering place for shed members.
“A bunch of the guys don’t want anything to do with a store. They just want to get together and talk and bring coffee,” said Fenemma.
He added that starting a men’s shed can be as casual as two people sitting at a park bench and slowly growing from there.
In Fraser Lake, the group met at the fire hall for the first six months. It was formed in 2017 and now has approximately 25 members.
Fenemma said a men’s shed has the potential to benefit Houston through dealing with the ongoing impact of Canfor’s decision to close down its sawmill in early 2023.
The meeting at the Houston Public Library on March 30 begins at 1 p.m.