SWAN Hill Neighbourhood House have recently been able to make some much-needed improvements to their men’s shed after a grant from Swan Hill Rural City Council.
The Community Development Grant from council provided $5000, which went a long way to helping the men’s shed to make a number of upgrades in their facility.
Neighbourhood House contributed just under $2000 to finish off the upgrades which have been well received by all who have used the facility recently.
A new range hood with oven and stove have been installed in the kitchenette, with the Echuca Discoveries Swan Hill Group utilising the new facilities last week to cook up some tomato relish as part of a NDIS program.
Other additions include some new tools for the workshop and the installation of a smart TV with internet connectivity which is sure to be put to good use by the various groups who use the men’s shed.
Alongside the men’s shed members, the facilities are also used by groups such as the very successful startup the Repair Cafe Swan Hill which was recently launched at the end of last year.
Roughly around 50 different people utilise the facility during a week, with the men’s shed a great place for people to catch up, or just get out of the house for a few hours.
Acting Manager at Swan Hill Neighbourhood House Sarina Kelly was thankful for the support from Swan Hill Rural City Council.
“We certainly appreciate the support from council both for this latest project but also in the past,” she said.
Like many community groups, Neighbourhood House have had difficulties over the past couple of years with lockdowns and restrictions impacting on the activities which they have been able to hold.
“It certainly has been difficult to keep the community engaged when you are not able to host activities,” she said.
“But we are starting to come back into normality and we want to be there for the community.”
The Swan Hill Neighbourhood House Men’s Shed is a place where people are able to come together to learn valuable skills, but it also has a very important social aspect which has been extremely important over the last couple of years.
“A big part of what we do with the men’s shed is trying to maintain wellbeing and allow men to have that social connection,” she said.
“But we also need to provide them with a well-maintained facility for them to use.”
The latest additions to the men’s shed will allow those who use the facility to use safer equipment, as well as providing them with improved technological capability.
