Men's Shed providing the tools for better health

On a mission to look after men who might be avoiding the doctor, local community groups are holding a day of health checks in Roma next week.

Spanner in the works? These guys might be the ones to call, (L-R:Michael Redden, Bill Herman and Brian Reardon of the Roma Men's Shed). Picture: Jorja McDonnell

THERE is an old trope that men are always avoiding a visit with the doctor, but a determined group in Roma are looking to shift the status quo.

The Community Men's Shed, Freemasons Queensland and the South West Hospital and Health Service have joined forces to ask Roma's men of all ages: is there a spanner in the works?

Avid 'shedder' and Freemason of 52 years Brian Reardon said the event at the Men's Shed is all about getting them to talk to experts about their own health.

"It's a men's health day, with speakers and doctors coming down for anyone who wants to have a talk with them free of charge.

"We'll also be putting on a sausage sizzle to raise some money for the shed,” he said.

Mr Reardon agrees there is truth to the stereotype around men and their health.

"They might talk to each other about it, but they don't always talk to the people who matter.”

The Spanner in the Works event has been a collaborative effort among the groups, said Roma Community Men's Shed secretary Michael Redden.

"Freemansons were selecting twenty men's sheds in Queensland to highlight men's health, and partner with those sheds to do health checks.

"We've had to bring in the health service as well, and work together to set this up, because it wouldn't happen without the [health] workers there to do it,” he said.

All of the people involved want to make a difference in the community, and Mr Redden said he's pleased that it's come to fruition.

"It's a good partnership, I think, in highlighting men's health, and in particular older men.

"Because it's going to be held during the day, it is a good time for the older men who don't often go out at night when other events have been held.

"I know that a lot of guys from the shed, once they go home, they're not going to venture out again.

"So this is a great opportunity for them to have a health check at a time that suits them, on a day where they'd normally be at the Men's Shed anyway,” he said.

The health checks and sausage sizzle will be held at the Roma Community Men's Shed on Thursday, October 25 between 10am and 1pm.