If you need emergency services, please contact 000
Are you feeling burnt out? Consider aged care respite.
Looking for a rewarding career in aged care and ready to start now?
View our current retirement living homes for sale.
Search
Contact Us
Close
Services to keep you independent
Government-funded support
One on one care and support
Support to help you stay at home
Allied health support services
Everyone deserves a break
Government or privately funded
Connect with others
Help to access support services
Personalised care and support
14 locations across Victoria
Principles of Montessori
Tailored to individual interests
Helping everyone adjust
If you care for someone, we’re here
Maintain your quality of life
Here for people of all ages
Take a break and have some fun
All your questions answered
Independent living for over 55s
Our latest properties available
Inner Melbourne communities
Camberwell
Deepdene
Kew
Hawthorn
Toorak
Suburban communities
Clayton
Kyneton
Trentham
Eltham
Bacchus Marsh
Pakenham
Balwyn
Brunswick West
Greensborough
Torquay
Everyone deserves a home
services for 18+
Great places to call home
Reach your developmental goals
Pathways to paid employment
Small group programs
Stay independent at home
Get the best out of your NDIS plan
support for 13-18 year olds
Reach developmental goals
Fun programs for your teenagers
NDIS planning
programs for 0-12 year olds
Support for developmental delays
Fun programs for your kids
A school where your child can shine
About St Paul’s College
Prepare your child for school
View our for school policies
Commited to the safety of your child
Menu
Back
Enter your search term below
Blog
→
Seniors find mateship at Men’s Shed
Don’t let the tools fool you – this Men’s Shed is more than just a workshop, it’s a place of friendship and fun.
This week (June 13-19) is Men’s Health Week; aimed at raising awareness and prevention of men’s health issues and to celebrate men’s roles within the community.
The VMCH Men’s Shed in Wantirna, run by not-for-profit organisation Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH), has provided a safe-haven for men for more than a decade.
Each Tuesday and Friday, around 18 men aged over 65 pop into the shed to have a chat, a cuppa and work on some woodwork projects for their family members and friends. The seniors – who may have dementia, a physical disability, or are carers – are usually referred to the shed by local support agencies.
Men’s Shed supervisor Nicola Guida said the social aspect of the shed had a positive impact on the men’s mental wellbeing.
“One of our newest members said he was fighting boredom at home, and now looks forward to his day at the centre.”
Creating woodwork pieces including bird baths, pencil boxes and toys for their grandchildren also give the men a sense of purpose and accomplishment, Nic said.
Ferntree Gully resident Peter Hall, aged 85, has been attending the VMCH Men’s Shed twice a week for the past three years.
A road accident some years back has left Peter (pictured far left) with mobility issues. Without the Shed, Peter says he wouldn’t have the opportunity to pursue his passion for woodwork.
“I enjoy it,” Peter said. “Over the years I’ve made many things and I’m currently working on a placemat for hot pots made out of pegs.”
The social side of the Shed is important to Peter, who admits his wife is “probably happy to see him out of the house!”
“All the fellas are very sociable. We don’t talk much as women – we’re happy to sit for five minutes and enjoy the quiet – but we talk about all sorts of things; what we’re up to and current affairs.”
This week Peter will celebrate his 86th birthday at a local hotel with his mates from the Shed.
For more information about the VMCH Men’s Shed, call (03) 9800 7210 or click here.
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide.
Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.