A “Menzshed” for Nelson is ready to go – apart from one key ingredient, a building.
Since promoting an initial meeting to gauge interest two months ago, the organisers of the Nelson Menzshed have voted in a board, collected dozens of names from those who are keen to be involved and have even been offered trailer loads of tools and machinery.
The one piece of the puzzle missing is a place for the group to call home.
Menzshed is a community organisation that has chapters through New Zealand and Australia. It allows men from the community to come in and use tools in the shed for various projects. It’s particularly popular with older men who may have downsized their home and no longer have a back shed of their own.
In fact, one of the men behind trying to establish a Menzshed in Nelson, Graeme O’Brien, says he has been offered a whole shed full of tools from someone in that exact position.
“He’s older and is rattling around in a big house so is looking to downsize, but would like to see his tools go to a good home.
A Menzshed started in Richmond several years ago and has been a smash hit, with a huge membership and thriving shed. Graeme says he’s keen to hear of anyone with ideas on where the Nelson Menzshed could go. He says they’ll need a space big enough to fit all the tools and workspace and it couldn’t be in a quiet residential area because they will make some noise.
Anyone with any ideas can contact Graeme on 022 194 2516 or [email protected].