Castlebar Labour Party Cllr Harry Barrett has thrown his weight behind the Castlebar Men’s Shed project.
Barrett said this week that, "the concept behind Men’s Sheds, is an idea that originated in Australia is the provision of a safe environment where men of all ages can gather to work together and socialise together enhancing the well-being of all involved. We are al too well aware of the affects of loneliness and isolation on people, and whatever I can do as a Councillor to facilitate this group, I will do.
"It is a community-based, non-commercial organisation and these spaces may look like a shed in you back yard yet they innovatively share some characteristics of both community education and health promotion projects."
An information was held last Monday night (April 2 ) for the project, and Cllr Barrett believes that the old county library at Mountain View in Castlebar would be the perfect location for such a project.
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 Menus Shed’s 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 Sheds to the community.
A second meeting was arranged for Monday, April 16 at 7.30pm in Le Cheile FRC where the core group from the first meeting along with any other interested parties will meet to elect a committee to progress matters
