The State Government has announced that 42 community sheds are set to share in more than $600,000 funding.

This Grants SA Community Shed Funding Round comes on top of $870,000 distributed to community sheds across South Australia last October.

Sheds play a valuable role in communities. It’s a way for (mainly older) Australians to be involved and bust loneliness by offering peer support, creating opportunities for social interaction, learning new skills, and presenting ways for their members to give back to their community.

This funding will increase the number of people who are able to access their local community shed and enjoy a safe, welcoming, and encouraging space for all.

Regional and remote South Australia

In this funding round, 64 per cent of funding has been awarded to community sheds and projects in regional and remote South Australia.

Among some of the regional recipients are the Ardrossan Community and Men’s Shed on Yorke Peninsula who will be receiving $23,137 for the construction of an extension with work area, common facilities, and accessible toilet.

This upgrade will increase opportunities for more local people to engage in the shed’s activities, which include building osprey nesting platforms for the Innes National Park and hosting visits from the local doctor for group health checks.

Metropolitan groups

Among metropolitan community groups awarded funding are Grumpies Blokes Shed at Edwardstown and the Making Men Strong shed program at Aboriginal organisation Kura Yerlo.

Grumpies Blokes Shed will receive $22,686 to construct a new shed to increase capacity and area, so its group of retired and semi-retired members can do more to assist disadvantaged families, older people and people with disability in their local community.

The new shed will also cater for a growth in numbers, with Grumpies Blokes Shed offering fellowship and friendship for local ‘blokes’ as they contribute to their community, learn new skills and make social connections.

Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations

Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisation Kura Yerlo has received $24,932 for its Miyurna Taingiwiltarninthi or Making Men Strong program, to upgrade IT equipment and tools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who participate in shed activities.

Kura Yerlo’s Men’s Shed program has grown from grassroots origins, with increasing numbers of participants now seeking to access the program from all over Adelaide. The funding will allow for an upgrade to more modern tools and equipment, as well as increasing access to online resources and learning for the men who attend.

A full list of recipients is available on the Grants SA web pages