CASTLEBAR councillor Harry Barrett has contacted Mayo County Council to facilitate a new group that has recently been set up in Castlebar. Monday night, April 2 saw the setting up and an information evening concerning the Castlebar ‘Men’s Shed’ get under way.
Barrett maintains that the old county library on Mountain View, Castlebar, would be very suitable for the group and has contacted Mayo County Council to this effect.
“The concept behind ‘Men’s Shed’ is an idea that originated in Australia. The group provides the provision of a safe environment where men of all ages can gather to work together and socialise together, enhancing the wellbeing of all involved. We are all too well aware of the effects of loneliness and isolation on people, and whatever I can do as a councillor to facilitate this group, I will do.
“This is a community-based, non-commercial organisation and these spaces may look like a shed in your back yard yet they innovatively share some characteristics of both community education and health promotion projects,” said the Labour councillor.
At the recent meeting in Castlebar, Paul Gillen and Laurence Gaughan from the HSE re-echoed the importance of looking after mental health and the important role that projects like the ‘Men’s Shed’ can play in this capacity. Michael Tiernan (Galway Shed) and Ivan Beatty (Ballina Shed) spoke of their positive experiences and the value of ‘Men’s Shed’ to the community.
A second meeting has been arranged for Monday, April 16, at 7.30pm in Le Chéile FRC where the core group from the first meeting, along with any other interested parties, will meet to elect a committee to progress matters.
