Or so say the committee behind Gloucester’s Men’s Shed.

Up to 15 men regularly gather at the Community Workshop in Britten St, home to the Men’s Shed, among other facilities.

Men’s Shed committee president Jim Mallan said the aim of men’s sheds was to highlight men’s health issues and get blokes talking about their health.

And he said surprisingly, over a cuppa and their building tools, that is indeed what is happening.

“Blokes sharing a beer at the pub would never talk about their health,” he said.

But Mr Mallan said the fellows who turn up to the men’s shed will talk, not only about what’s going on the world, but they are opening up and talking about health issues as well.

And just as importantly Mr Mallan said new friendships are being forged and a range of skills being shared.

Vice president Paul Gannon said one of the first things the group did was take an inventory of the skills of the members, and they are diverse.

From electricians, to builders, to cabinet makers and fitters, and those who have spent their working life in areas other than trades.

The group is currently building cabinets that will be installed in the Anglican church hall, while in another corner of the shed a set of chairs are being restored to their former beauty and will ultimately be sold to raise funds for use at the Men’s Shed.

Mr Mallan said the Men’s Shed is proving to be a great network and he hopes those taking part can also help some of Gloucester’s younger generation as well.

“We entually want to end up with a mentoring program, working with younger people on life and work skills,” he said.

Gloucseter’s Men’s Shed meets each Wednesday at the Community Workshop in Britten Street from 9am through to around 12 noon, “or when the blokes want to go home”.

For more information about the Men’s Shed, call out on a Wednesday morning, or drop into their monthly meeting this Friday March 12 at 3pm at the Men’s Shed. For further information phone president Jim Mallan on 6558 2070.