A Men’s Shed Community Facility
The Howick Community Shed has well-equipped woodworking and engineering workshops. Most of the equipment and machinery is brand new with the engineering equipment recently added in 2022. There is also access to kitchen and facilities for “a cuppa”.
Retired men are the main demographic group using the Shed. However, it is open to all ages over 20, cultures & ethnicities. Current membership is more than 100.
The target area for the Howick Community MenzShed is identified as within the Howick & Pakuranga region.
The initial site is Bell Barn, a heritage building at the Howick Historical Village in Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, that has been made safe and usable. As we grow, suitably zoned bare land will be required for a purpose-built facility.
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Howick MenzShed Organisation
Legal Structure
- Howick Community MenzShed was Incorporated in June 2015,
- received charitable status in September 2015,
- is governed by a Board of seven and
- has a six-member Management Committee
Activities
A Howick MenzShed coffee group of between 30 and 40 Members meet weekly. Members have also participated in many community activities such as:
- Painting of a Hospice Shop and a Scout Den,
- Beach clean ups,
- BBQ stall and parking marshals at the Brit & Euro Car Show
- Building picnic tables and other projects for the Howick Historical Village,
- Assisting local schools and kindergartens with various projects
- Projects to assist people with mobility issues
- Tunnels for Rat and Mustelid traps for Pest Free Howick
Bell Barn
Following visits to Bell Barn and discussions with the Howick Historical Village, Heritage New Zealand, and the Howick Local Board, a project for the adaptive reuse of the dilapidated Bell Barn at Howick Historical Village was implemented. Detailed information and history of the barn can be found HERE
Shed Operation
- The shed operates primarily in three workday sessions – 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Currently morning sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus Wednesday afternoons. Also, at additional times when supervisors and/or trainers are available.
- All sessions have a trained first aid qualified supervisor and a trainer when required.
- Members are required to undertake an induction process which covers health and safety and shed rules. Training requirements are assessed and training on items of equipment arranged where appropriate.
- Members are required to supply their own materials for personal projects, but consumables such as adhesives, sandpaper, drill bits etc. are provided.
- Members may also use discarded offcuts and donated, or surplus materials, at the discretion of the Supervisor.
- Personal projects in progress are taken home by the member after each session unless otherwise agreed with the Supervisor, as storage space is limited.
- Toilet and refreshment facilities are available.
