Hughes Community Shed – all welcome!!

The Hughes Community Shed is a place to meet, socialise, learn new skills and practice old ones.

After many years of work and effort by the Council on the Ageing ACT and support from a great group of volunteers, the Hughes Community Shed is finally open.

The running of the Shed is coordinated, funded and managed by the volunteer Shed members. All members will be expected to pay an annual membership fee (to cover insurance and other costs), help with fundraising and contribute to the organising and running of Shed activities.

The Hughes Community Shed is here to provide social and practical support. It is a place that people always have time for a chat and that they can ask if they need anything. Maintaining social connection and staying in touch is critical to older residents’ wellbeing – especially at the moment.

The Shed will play an important role in the prevention of social isolation and the promotion of positive health and wellbeing amongst the older population in the local area, as well as enabling all to positively (re)connect with their community.

The idea of the Community Shed is to provide a local, informal location where local residents of a community can spend time engaged in manual crafts. The shed is also a place for the residents to be socially active and form friendships. The shed environment is positive and encouraging, no matter what a person’s ability level is and is available to men and women (including Veterans). There is a strong focus on learning new skills (including wood and metal work), encouraging all members and working together.

The Community Shed is a vital community investment which will deliver a diverse range of programmes and activities. Most “shedders” see themselves as having a strong sense of belonging and shared camaraderie, and devote time to worthwhile community projects.

What is on at the Shed?

Currently the Shed has started with an art group on Monday afternoons (contact Brush Strokes via COTA ACT for more information).

On Tuesdays, the Women’s Shed Canberra is running several sessions for their members (for more information contact: Womens Shed Canberra).

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings the Shed will be open for members to get together, build community projects and work on their own jobs (watch this space and the Facebook page for details and more information in coming weeks).

How do I find out more?

For more information contact the Shed by email to: hughescommunityshed@gmail.com. For more general inquiries about the Shed and building, contact COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or email to contact@cotaact.org.au.

You can also check the Hughes Community Shed’s Facebook page for more up to date information and news about what’s going on in the shed.