Central Coast Men's Sheds
Represents over 620 men as members of the 13 sheds in the cluster
as at the end of December 2010
Central Coast Shed Cluster Incorporated (CCSC) is the natural progression of the expanding number of Community Men's Sheds on the Central Coast. A number of internal and external factors have converged to push the formation of this umbrella organisation on the Central Coast. With up to 9 Community Men's Sheds proposed to be in full operation by the end of 2009 there is a need for cooperation and liaison between the members of these sheds, the shed committees and the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA).
With a growing number of clusters incorporated around NSW and Australia it is time for the Central Coast to take its place in the growing awareness and advocacy for men that is the source of these sheds. Also, there are funding opportunities that are available from a coordinated effort that may not be available to individual sheds. Some of this funding is already being sourced by the CCSC. There is also a growing awareness that sheds have obligations to meet, not only to their members but to their communities, OH&S regulations, auspicing requirements, fiduciary obligations and men's health policy initiatives.
Central Coast Shed Cluster Inc has been formed by leading members of a number of local community sheds and men's organisations on the Central Coast to assist in coordination between sheds, source funding and form a liaison point between the community sheds of the Central Coast and various local, state and national political and service organisations.
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Future Events
Access Training Information Session
Your invitation
MINGARA RECREATION CLUB
Tasman Room
10 am to noon
Monday, 16 April 2012
KEY INFORMATION
You will learn key information about how Men’s Sheds can support:
- Socially isolated men
- Training for your staff and volunteers to access men’s sheds
- Your duty of care and risk assessment
- Appropriate options for suitable engagement through consultation
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Program Managers
Service Coordinators
Key decision makers in support organisations
MEN’S SHEDS
Men’s Sheds are places where men build to their hearts content. Meet new mates and contribute to their community.
Men’s Sheds engage with a wide range of men thorough programs that include supported access for men with disabilities, men from different cultures, men seeking new skills, younger men, men with families, men seeking employment skills and men engaged in mentoring.
MEN’S SHEDS SUPERVISION SUPPORT TRAINING
Men’s Sheds Central Coast Inc. has upcoming training for staff and volunteers from service, community and support organisations on the Central Coast.
Come and join us to learn about this vital training for your staff. Learn about training opportunities through active involvement in the initial pilot program
Learn about training that will provide information on client assessment, safety, administrative requirements and social support. It will also address:
- Expectations of support organisations & program managers.
- Operation and activities of Men’s Sheds, which will be explained and demonstrated.
- Policies and processes for support workers, volunteers and mentors responsible for males that wish to access a local Men’s Shed.
- Practical experience for support workers and case managers by attending an operational workshop, a toolbox meeting and a traditional Men’s Shed social Bar-B-Que.
Come and join us for information that will benefit your organisation and the men in our community!! .
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News
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Project Funding - Family & Community Violence
News from the Office of Women’s Policy in the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet just to hand is that the Cluster has received a grant of $50,000 for 2 years to conduct a program focusing on family violence. The Cluster is currently running a program concentrating on providing access to Sheds for disabled and socially isolated men and this new grant will allow an extension of the work already started to include elements addressing family violence.
Congratulations all involved in preparing the submission.
Because of this news, the Shed Cluster finds itself in a ground-breaking position once again. It can be observed that for the Department of Women to fund a male orientated organisation with the distinct purpose of tackling family violence is not a common gesture, but you would argue, one that has high merit. Men can be part of the solution.
This grant was announced a day before the Suicide Prevention Forum and given speakers at the Forum spoke of Family Violence as a trigger in some cases of suicide it came at an opportune time.
December Cluster Meeting At Alison Homestead A Great Success
Historic Alison Homestead at Wyong is the newest Shed to join the Cluster and it was appropriate that Sheds should celebrate the occasion with a BBQ at the December Cluster meeting.
While the weather wasn’t on our side, for the 60 or more men who turned up(some with their partners) it was a great chance to have a chat and meet with like-minded Shedders. Of the 13 Sheds associated with our Cluster 9 were represented, most with a group of men, and given one of our Sheds is in Labrador, Queensland we can’t be too upset if they don’t turn up for a BBQ and a couple of drinks!
Alison Homestead has a very well established machinery and tool museum shed and it was appropriate the meeting was held with men leaning or sitting on vintage machinery. It certainly provided a different backdrop to the usual Cluster business meeting held in a Community Centre Board Room. Roman Paull, the coordinator of the Alison Homestead Shed spoke of the developments that he saw coming from this new venture. He was excited with the obvious cooperation between Sheds in visiting his site and the possibility for joint projects to be undertaken, especially for men with an interest in refurbishing old machinery.
Eaves dropping on discussions between groups it was pleasing to hear them talking enthusiastically about the different style this Shed offered the Cluster. It is not a Shed with the usual wood/metal approach one expects to see but one, which will offer landscaping, gardening and the opportunity to work with antique farm implements and old machines.
It seems the Cluster has begun to facilitate another need for men so we will be arranging more social events in 2011. Now that we have 13 Sheds in the Cluster it looks like we will need to find larger venues to hold our social events.
Access Program Coordinator Selected
Following advertising, short listing and interview the Selection Panel were unanimous in selecting Kim Hopkins for the Access Program Coordinator position. Kim was offered the position on Wednesday 24 November which he gladly accepted.
The program is supported by NSW Department Of Community Services and is a joint venture with Central Coast Sheds and will run for 3 years. Kim's appointment is for 3 days a week and it is anticipated that he will formally enter on duty in the first or second week of December.
His role will be to work with Central Coast Disabilities Service providers and Sheds, to provide direction for the Cluster and individual Sheds to develop programs that provide social space in a workshop environment for men with disabilities and men who are socially isolated.
He will be aiming to foster partnerships with disability providers and Sheds, coordinate training in disability access initiatives and negotiate the acceptance of men with identified needs into Sheds.
Kim now wears 2 hats with his current role as Cluster Development Worker as well as the Access Program Coordinator so apart from being kept very busy he expects to be able to blend the roles together so that both benefit and more positive results are achieved. Kim will continue to be based in the Tuggerah Lakes Community Centre (when he's not on the road between Sheds and meetings) so his contact details remain the same.
Congratulations Kim
Fathers Day Breakfast Presentation
An indication of the increasing influence of the Shed Cluster on the Coast was the recent invitation to speak to a gathering of fathers at the Lisarow Public School Father’s Day Breakfast.
This provided an opportunity to spread the word about the part Sheds play in helping men appreciate the important role they have in our community and the development in Sheds and their programs in Gosford and Wyong.
Our short message was supported by 3 other speakers. One a long-term commuter who now realizes what he, and his children, have missed during his extended time away from home. A family counselor who spoke on how children see their fathers and the importance of family interaction and, a Dr telling his story about depression and the work of the Black Dog Institute.
Three rather somber presentations were balanced by a much more positive presentation concentrating on the great times men have in our Sheds and the benefits flowing from many relationships that develop.
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