Men’s Shed sets up in Ballina
A new Men's Shed has been set up locally and its founders are looking for men to join, as well as a permanent base for their activities.
The Ballina-Killaloe Men's Shed was informally launched last month. Fourteen men attended a public meeting organised by local community activist Derek Spaight, who invited men to join in the forming of a new shed in the parish newsletter.
The group meets weekly in Ballina Parish Hall. They now have an interim committee in place ahead of formally registering with the Irish Men's Shed Association.
The first activity of this new Men's Shed was a first responder course, in which those present learned about CPR and the use of defibrillators and first aid. Next up, they are planning to take part in the local Darkness Into Light walk.
The attendance at last week's meeting discussed their individual interests with a view to finding common ground for activities going forward. These included music, learning a language, playing cards, blacksmithing, walking, sport, woodturning, sailing and “having the craic” - talking and banter, as opposed to an organised activity. They also discussed the need to find a designated base for their activities. Local councillor Phyll Bugler is assisting in this regard and the men are appealing for anyone who can help to get in contact with them. They are prepared to occupy premises in a caretaker capacity, potentially making good use of an idle building in the town.
TIPP MEN'S SHEDS
There are presently 15 sheds affiliated to the Irish Men's Shed Association (IMSA) in Tipperary, among them sheds in Borrisokane, Nenagh and Silvermines.
The ethos behind the IMSA - a registered national charity - is the facilitation of community participation for local men.
It's about getting out of the house for a couple of hours each day to have a chat with other men, share and learn new skills, and provide mutual support and encouragement.
As an organisation, the IMSA has made great strides in tackling social isolation in a simple yet highly productive way. Typical examples of Men's Shed activities include making the likes of benches or flower boxes for the local community. But one does not need to be skilled in order to join a Men's Shed; many join simply to sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and chat with their peers. Everyone in the shed decides their own level of participation and members are encouraged to come up with their own ideas.
The members of the burgeoning Ballina-Killaloe Men's Shed would like to meet with greater regularity. They are encouraging men of all ages and walks of life in Ballina and Killaloe to come and meet them, and bring their own ideas to the table.
All are welcome to the weekly meetings, which take place in the hall on Wednesdays at 7pm.