Looking for a Men's Shed/Workshop

[u/dI--__--Ib]

So I'm 38 and lost my dad to cancer in 2020, and I have no other male role model figures in my life and most of my friends are tied up with their new families.

I'd like to find a "men's shed" kind of club or whatever with a workshop where I can go for a chat, learn about tools, learn how to fix my old electronics myself, maybe have a beer and make some friends.

In my head I'm imagining the guys from King of the Hill, and I guess a few Hanks, Boomhauers, even Dales and Bills would be great.

Sure I could watch YouTube tutorials but I can't afford to buy tools as I'm in pretty sever financial hardship, and videos don't cure being lonely. I need some camaraderie in my life atm because things are really bleak and dark thoughts are increasing

Does anything like this exist in the eastern suburbs? Emphasis on fixing and tinkering with electronics, especially audio.

I'm in Kensington Park.

I'd prefer to avoid religious groups as that's just not my thing, unless they keep it secular in the workshop.

[u/Remote_Class9892]

https://makerspaceadelaide.org/

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Remote_Class9892]

That seems like just what I'm after. I'll check it out :)

[u/Robdoggz]

Such a shame you're not south, the Victor Harbor Men's Shed is top notch. I know a good number of the old boys there (as a 46 year old woman, I do believe I'm allowed to affectionately call them that lol) and they really do some solid work in the community

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Robdoggz]

Yeah that's just a tad too long a drive for me lol. I don't like to venture more than about 20 km from home

[u/Con-Sequence-786]

Hope you find a good outlet. Probably fair to tell you to try a few before settling on one. Some are full of old geezers who just exist to point out everything you're doing wrong, so not very supportive at all.

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Con-Sequence-786]

Hey I'm happy to be told what I'm I wrong if the end result works. That's how we learn after all. I need to find some retired sparkies or electronic tinkerers.

[u/Missbexy1979]

I’m so sorry to hear you lost your dad, the pain never goes away and you’re constantly reminded about what you once had. Have you thought about volunteering? I know it may not involve learning to fix things but maybe an aged care facility or somewhere with older people? Please know that you don’t have to go through the dark times alone; there’s always people out there willing to listen. ❤️

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Missbexy1979]

I've done 20 years in customer service so as noble as it is, that sort of thing is not something I have the energy for. I appreciate the kind words though.

[u/NatAttack3000]

Campbelltown council has a repair cafe that the rotary runs. It seems like a few bored old boys who are handy - if you have some things that need repair I'm sure they could talk you through the process

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/NatAttack3000]

I'll look it up, cheers

[u/Good-Tangerine-988]

I feel the repair cafes are a pretty good entry point.

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Good-Tangerine-988]

I've not heard of these before

[u/Rebooted-Bot]

https://www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/Learn-and-explore/Community-centres/community-shed

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Rebooted-Bot]

I'll look into this. I'm noticing a lot of woodworking at these places though, and I'm looking for electronics tinkerers.

[u/Common-Agency-4867]

You could try hit up this group? It's not too far drive from East burbs.. https://mensshed.org/sheds/the-red-shed/ It's in uraidla. I know nothing about it apart from driving past every day and piqued my interest.

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Common-Agency-4867]

Thanks I'll have a look

[u/arthur_1970]

burnside council runs very nice looking mens shed in Conyngham street, glenside. https://www.burnside.sa.gov.au/Whats-On/Home-Support-Program/The-Shed

[u/rsbaws → u/arthur_1970]

So I'm 38

The Shed offers a friendly meeting place for older men and women. Participants will need a referral from My Aged Care and be registered with the Burnside Home Support Program

Probably not the right shed.

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/rsbaws]

Yeah I'm just a smidge underage I reckon

[u/Howlongcanmyredditus → u/arthur_1970]

But I'm not a nice looking man

[u/xanderfotos]

There’s a men’s shed on Conyngham behind the OTR in Glenunga. Burnside city council website should have the details. Good luck!

[u/naturekaleidoscope]

If you are looking for other men to connect with outside of a men's shed, there are a few options:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Adelaide/s/sz8bcLzpp7

https://www.goodbetterbestmen.com.au/

[u/Potential_Narwhal981]

Jogging around Kensington Oval first thing in the morning is good. It's something I strive to do when possible. Or go to mensshed.org and put in your postcode. A few popped up in TTG, Prospect, Morialta or Aldgate if you don't mind the drive. I was gonna suggest Grumpies Blokes Shed in St Mary's, but that's church-affiliated.

[u/Spiritual_Pepper3781]

I was looking at the burnside shed. Its not all old and doom and gloom, just moreso people who have time to go there are a little more aged.

[u/dI--__--Ib → u/Spiritual_Pepper3781]

From the other poster though it seems I'd need a referral through My Aged Care which is obviously impossible.