Vision
- 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.
Mission
- 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.
B.E.C.S. Will provide a venue
- 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.
B.E.C.S. Will offer its members opportunities of
- Improving self-esteem with youth, unemployed, disabled and older men.
- Developing self-worth through personal effort and community contribution.
- Participate in community service.
- Intergenerational mentoring.
- Support for youth and their aspirations and motivation.
- Helping men with their businesses, or to start a new business.
- Promoting of a good work ethic.
- Respect for older people and their knowledge.
- Recognising, regenerating and celebrating craftsmanship.
- Sharing knowledge and skills.
- Assistance to pass on knowledge and experience.
- Teaching and skills development.
- Realising their potential.
- Developing their hobbies and other interests.
- Simply someone to talk to.
B.E.C.S. Will Benefit Our Community by
- 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.
The Men's Shed Concept at Work in a Community will be demonstrated as
- Men becoming interested in other men's interests.
- A renewed spirit of cooperation amongst the people involved.
- A shared vision to become involved in the community.
- Similar values in a common culture.
- Caring and sharing with greater results being achieved.
- Another means of identifying community opportunities.
- Significant improvement in men's health and well being.