Ballarat East Community Men's Shed - Our Statement of Purpose

To address the issues of men's health (physical, emotional and social well-being) in the community.
To engage the elderly, differently-abled, youth, veterans, indigenous and other groups of men of the Ballarat and surrounding communities and to specifically address any issues of isolation, loneliness and depression.
To support the social interaction of men in transitional periods (e.g. Redundancy, Bereavement, Retirement, Ill Health, Relocation, Respite Care).
To share, disseminate and preserve the skills, abilities and interests that are relevant to the community.

To facilitate links between men and health-related agencies, family organisations and specialist health professionals within the community.
To work with Government agencies to assist ex prisoners returning to the community.
To advocate the benefits of partnerships between men's sheds and community.
To develop a men's shed, which can operate on a cost neutral basis, that is, its ongoing costs can be met or exceeded by its revenue.
To initiate and continue activities of particular relevance to men.
To provide strong social fabric for men experiencing isolation.

In Pursuing our Vision, B.E.C.S. Commits to the Following Values

Compassion and empathy in serving men in our community.
Sincerity and devotion to improving men's health.
Honesty and integrity in all our activities.
To be open to all races, religions and socioeconomic groups.
Reliability and trustworthiness in delivering on our promises.
Responsiveness to the needs of men, their families and their community.
Wisdom in applying technology and innovation to the improvement of our shed.
Respect for the value added by teamwork and participation to life-long learning.
Appreciation of the value of contributions by partners and sponsors.
Responsibility and generosity in giving back to the community.

Where men of all ages can meet in a social non-threatening environment to share experiences and work together.
A place where young men can learn from the experience and wisdom of older men in our community.
Where men will gain support in times of personal difficulty brought on by unemployment, idleness, loneliness, trauma and/or depression.
A place of activity and purpose.
A place of positive attitudes and caring.
A daytime meeting place for men - an alternative to the pubs.
A place of belonging leading to a reduction in social isolation to better address men's health issues. Â Improving lifestyles leading to improved quality of life.

Supporting projects that might be marginal, or outside your normal scope of other community groups, or businesses, or that lack practical skills.
Offering linkages with Medical, Social and Justice departments.
Providing families (wives and children) a place of support for their men in times of need.
Offering training and education opportunities for men in areas of Men's Health provided by trained professional volenteers.
Assisting men with issues of substance abuse or behavioural problems.
Earlier identification of health problems with men such as loneliness, isolation and depression.
Increasing economic activity.
Improving the productivity of older people.
Address youth unemployment problems.
Acting as incubator for start up businesses.
Assisting the retention and development of community skills.
Be seen to be doing something special for older citizens, youth and the disabled in our community.