“There’s more Men’s Sheds than McDonalds in Australia,” Cockburn Community Men’s Shed Co-ordinator Mark Hemmings said. “This is only awarded every two years, and it helps us celebrate all Men’s Shed’s work with mental health and combating loneliness in retired men.
“We couldn’t do it and be what we are today without the support of the Department of Justice.”
That support comes through Adult Community Corrections (ACC), which manages around 8,000 adult offenders in the community at any one time, including those serving a community order, completing parole, or working off fines.
“More fines put extra stress on people,” Fremantle ACC Senior Community Work Officer, Jeremy, said. “When we bring them here, they can pay the fines off and it eases that stress and it gets them out meeting people as well.”
The five-year partnership between the Department and Cockburn Men’s Shed began with a chance meeting at the local footy club where the Fremantle ACC team was providing support.
“We got to chatting and we asked do you want to come and help at the Men’s Shed and they said that would be great,” Cockburn Men’s Shed Chairman Mike Murphy said.
“There’s always something for them to do here and they always seem to like it, and they mix and match with our guys so there’s a bit of interaction there as well, it’s great.”
That interaction gives offenders the chance to get more out of the experience than serving out court orders or paying off fines.
“They’re from all walks of life but get treated the same as everyone else here,” Jeremy said. “It gives them a sense of purpose to see a project from start to finish – and gives them a bit of pride in themselves.”
It’s one of hundreds of initiatives supported by ACC all over the State.
“Fostering relationships like this benefits everyone,” Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said. “That’s what Corrections is about – creating hope and opportunity for people who have made mistakes by enabling them to participate and make a real contribution to society.”
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