Information please

Yes I am preparing (mid March),  to visit sheds in Aussie and the UK with assistance from a Winston Churchill Fellowship. Apart from harvesting hazel nuts, chest nuts, walnuts, Nashi, pears, grapes, apples and passionfruit from the garden, trees and vines at this time, I am also keen to hear from you if you re courses for adults in the community. I am exploring a picture of what men are accessing in terms of personal development / interest courses in NZ communities in particular (but further afield internationally too).
If you would like to assist me.......please answer the questions below and forward your responses to me.

BLOKES SURVEY 09 for those providing non-formal (non-credit bearing) adult and community education programmes:
Please return this section with your information to Neil Bruce nb001@wave.co.nz

Include

• contact person:[name] + [email]
• Type of Organisation - target group [ ].
• Organisation has [ ] enrolments per term {specify terms 2008 / 2009}.

1. What courses do you offer in the community? (if it is a broad range, just include main categories rather than courses)
2. number of courses (that ran) last two terms
3. categories on offer
4. what proportion of men attend over all?
5. what is the age range of men accessing your courses? (Approximations would be better than no information)
6. which courses that you offer attract most men? (comments also welcome)
7. Are there any men only courses?
8. Do you have any matters you would like me to explore for you re men's involvement in your programme?

Temporary home just the ticket

You can't hold a good man down and this fine bunch of men and supporters celebrates Andrew's (far right) initiative in offering us a man-space with some tools as a temporary venue while we look for a new venue. Tino Pai Andrew. Really appreciate also the visit from Australia of Alex (2nd L) and wife Lorelle (2nd R front) to give us added support. Awesome to see you again supporting our shed from afar.

A new year but not easy

The Hamilton Community Men's Shed has concluded the year with a number of specialist tools, a Coordinator, (Gund) and a great number of community projects under our belt.

In addition we have finally been able to attract some funding from the WEL energy trust for tools and coordination, and further funding for a men's learning programme that includes

• Induction into the Shed ( the guidelines, how to and elements of procedure)




• Shed safety - a five session set of instruction on each piece of equipment to learn of the dangers, and operate within OSH safety procedures and guidelines




• Sustainable Garden Projects (to support better health and less expenditure on food)




• Computer breakthroughs (Encouraging the reluctant learner about excitement, fun and usefulness.




• First aid and general safety.




• Men's Health - getting to talk about issues and support through a Warrant of Fitness programme (WOF is an analogy with Cars and other road vehicles)

BUT sadly! We have lost our venue! as of last week and our gear is in storage waiting for us to conclude a replacement venue - meanwhile a special big thank-you to Raewyn for allowing us to store our gear while the search goes on.

Stay tuned about how we manage to resolve the situation where we have had a number of offers of shed space but need to identify what is the Base shed site and whether we are able to organise / sustain satellite sheds about the city of Hamilton (NZ) which has about 120,000 inhabitants.