Retirement can be challenging for anyone in terms of finding something meaningful to fill your newly found time.
For men in particular, it can lead to loneliness and a sense of isolation, as most of their lives have been focused on work.
After a visit to Australia, where she learned about Men’s Sheds, Puslinch resident Cheryl-Lyn Milani, came home and decided to start one in Puslinch. She knew first-hand how retirement had impacted her father.
The Shed is at 1241 Concession Road 10 at the family farm, where there’s wood and machine shops, all on the acres at the farm.
Started last fall, the group is open to anyone and men don’t have to be retired to join. “This is something we need right now, bringing people together in community, and helping them find purpose”. shares Cheryl
As she’s observed, men communicate best shoulder to shoulder, rather than face to face like women. So, coming up with activities that enable this is key. There are currently 35 members and a wood working group of five men.
But woodworking is not the only potential activity, she has thirteen more – • Cooking • Photography • Furniture refurbishing • Metal working • Automotive Projects • Machinery - learning drive skid steers and tractors • Farm skills - fence maintenance, wood splitting • Supporting rural seniors through visiting, driving • Creating learning opportunities for passing skills to youth • Nature walks • Repair Cafe • Fishing • Coffee Groups by the Pond
Cheryl is working to form a non-profit and is keen to find other ways to involve the members in helping in the community.
Men’s Shed in Puslinch
Retirement can be challenging for anyone in terms of finding something meaningful to fill your newly found time.
For men in particular, it can lead to loneliness and a sense of isolation, as most of their lives have been focused on work.
After a visit to Australia, where she learned about Men’s Sheds, Puslinch resident Cheryl-Lyn Milani, came home and decided to start one in Puslinch.
She knew first-hand how retirement had impacted her father.
The Shed is at 1241 Concession Road 10 at the family farm, where there’s wood and machine shops, all on the acres at the farm.
Started last fall, the group is open to anyone and men don’t have to be retired to join. “This is something we need right now, bringing people together in community, and helping them find purpose”. shares Cheryl
As she’s observed, men communicate best shoulder to shoulder, rather than face to face like women. So, coming up with activities that enable this is key.
There are currently 35 members and a wood working group of five men.
But woodworking is not the only potential activity, she has thirteen more –
• Cooking
• Photography
• Furniture refurbishing
• Metal working
• Automotive Projects
• Machinery - learning drive skid steers and tractors
• Farm skills - fence maintenance, wood splitting
• Supporting rural seniors through visiting, driving
• Creating learning opportunities for passing skills to
youth
• Nature walks
• Repair Cafe
• Fishing
• Coffee Groups by the Pond
Cheryl is working to form a non-profit and is keen to find other ways to involve the members in helping in the community.
To learn more, contact her at 416-220-7581
[email protected]