MEMBERS of Crookwell Community Men's Shed will be connected to thousands of other Men’s Sheds across the country after receiving a free computer and internet connection from Beyondblue.

The giveaway is part of Beyondblue’s Connecting Men’s Shed Program that aims to help reduce loneliness and improve the mental health of men across the country, with research showing that social isolation can lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety.

The program was launched in October 2013 and allows every Mens Shed in Australia that was established after the program’s launch to receive a new computer and connection.

Beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said the Connecting Men’s Shed program would build on the invaluable work the Men’s Shed movement had done to end isolation and boost mental health.

“The Men’s Shed movement has proven invaluable in helping bring men together to undertake community-focused activities and build friendships,” she said.

“There are now more than 1000 sheds across the country, with each of them helping reduce social isolation in their community and bringing major mental health benefits. Beyondblue is giving away these computers and internet connections to help Men’s Sheds link up with other sheds via the website The Shed Online (theshedonline.org.au). It will also allow Men’s Sheds to promote themselves and their activities while allowing shedders to use the Shed Online’s resources to research any health concerns they may have.”

The program was launched after research Men’s Sheds in Australia: Effects on Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing revealed the sheds’ significant impact on members’ mental and physical wellbeing.

This included:

Members’ mean wellbeing score of 54.3 out of 70 was higher than the non-shedders’ mean score of 51 members scored higher on all individual measurements including confidence, clear-thinking and cheerfulness

Members scored higher the longer they were part of a shed, with those who had been there less than a month scoring 48.4, rising to 54.6 after a year and 55.3 after two years

*the study also compared the physical health of the two groups, with members again scoring higher on every measure, particularly physical functioning and vitality

President of the Crookwell Community Men’s Shed, Ron Browne, said the computer and internet connection would attract more members to the shed and improve their computer skills.

“The laptop will enable shed members to be introduced to computing and its applications in a comfortable, low key environment.

“This will assist them to contact friends and family by email, and help them to gain information from the internet.

“It will also allow contact to be made with other sheds and their websites.”

“Construction of our new shed should commence in the near future, and plans for its official opening are underway. The new shed will have a designated dust-free area where the computer will be located.”

“Many of our members are somewhat overawed by technology and computers, so having a computer of our own and internet access could be a great way of removing some of the fear and mystique.”

“We wish to thank ‘beyond blue’ for their initiative in establishing this program and their generous support.”

Australian Men’s Shed Association CEO, David Helmers, said the program would bring long-term benefits.

“This is an amazing initiative that will help connect men to each other and their communities,” he said. “Its benefits will be felt for a long time and we are very grateful for it.”