On Thursday February 13, members of the Squamish Men’s Shed had the pleasure of hosting The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Federal Minister of Seniors, and local M.P. for West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, and Sea to Sky Country, Patrick Weiler.
Over the course of their visit, Minister Thompson and M.P. Weiler chatted over coffee with Men’s Sheds Canada President Robert Goluch, Squamish Shed President David Gayton and 15 local Shed members, before taking a tour of the workshop.
Last year, members of the Squamish Men’s Shed devoted more than 3,000 volunteer hours to community projects, completing 20 initiatives that have made a significant impact to local non-profit organizations.
“Men’s Sheds are built on the simple but powerful idea that older men thrive in an environment where they can work shoulder to shoulder, building friendships while contributing to their communities,” said Goluch. “The camaraderie and sense of purpose that Sheds provide are invaluable, improving both mental and physical health, reducing social isolation, and strengthening communities at large.”
Some of the Squamish Shed’s recent projects include crafting cutting boards for Cutting Barriers, to building bat condos for the Squamish River Watershed Society, converting a grand piano into a bookshelf for Hilltop House, carving toy trucks for the Squamish Fire Department’s toy drive, making benches for Squamish Helping Hands as well as the Shed’s annual summer youth program that teaches woodworking to kids aged 5-11.
Men’s Sheds Canada is committed to supporting the growth of the Shed movement across the country. With just over 150 Sheds now, the national organization’s goal is to see 1,000 Sheds by 2032, and ultimately to secure sustainable funding as an integral part of a Canada’s strategy to address the epidemics of loneliness and social isolation and promote health and wellness in our aging population, as Men’s Sheds have been so successful in doing in countries like Australia and Ireland.
To close out the visit, Gayton and Goluch presented Minister Thompson with a Men’s Sheds Canada plaque for her office. All in all, it was a great day and another important step in raising awareness and support for Men’s Sheds across Canada.
