SALT women’s shed changing perceptions

A women’s shed tucked away in Quakers Hill is empowering women and girls to turn their hand to trades, boosting both their confidence and potential career paths.

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A women’s shed tucked away in Quakers Hill is drawing members from across NSW and putting girls on a path some had never imagined.

Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen — or SALT — opened its shed in Quakers Hill Park almost one year ago to the day, which now has more than 100 members.

Founder Fiona Shewring said the program started as a network for skilled women but quickly grew to become a travelling workshop empowering females by teaching them how to handle tools.

L-R painter and decorator Fiona Shewring, electrician Martina Fletcher, and carpenter Flavic Teixeira at SALT women's shed at Quakers Hill. (AAP IMAGE/ Angelo Velardo)

“I became a tradeswoman when I was a single mother with five children,” she said. “That was my skill, I could watch someone and repeat it. I was always very hands on.

“I couldn’t understand why other women didn’t do it.”

Her research found that many women hit a “massive brick wall” when pursuing jobs in trades, and SALT began devising a plan to boost their confidence and career paths.

Flavic Teixeira with Taheisha Moore, 7. (AAP IMAGE/ Angelo Velardo)

“We built a trailer, filled it with tools and went to find the women and girls who wanted our help,” Ms Shewring said.

After travelling to rural and metropolitan areas in five states, and teaching in schools, SALT found its first permanent home in Quakers Hill — thanks to Blacktown Council and its tradeswoman Martina Fletcher.

It’s had “amazing” success, as SALT focuses on giving women and girls skills for life — to fall back on in any scenario.

“What we’re trying to change is what women think they can do, and what society thinks they can do,” Ms Shewring said. “With the current working requirements, there’s nothing women can’t do.”

People can use the shed to tinker with their personal projects.

Details: https://saltaustralia.org.au/