With so many volunteer groups desperate to find more volunteers to fill a need, we talk to a man who has no such problems. 

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It’s like a backstage pass into the real person behind the success. What makes them tick, what makes them successful. A peek at some of Central Otago’s smartest and most interesting people.

Learn their secrets, get hot tips from those with experience, and discover why you should support their venture.

Menz Sheds are a community space for men to come together, share skills, have a laugh and work on practical tasks for the shed and projects that benefit the community. It’s a proven formula - currently there are more than 50 sheds throughout New Zealand, including one in Alexandra and one in Cromwell.

Cromwell Menz Shed organiser Dennis Booth said the success story of their volunteer-led group was not about him, or other organisers. It was about the visible changes seen in all the men who got involved, and the spinoffs for the community. 

“No-one gets paid.

“The payment is the guys supporting each other, achieving, having a sense of purpose, it’s good for their mental health.

“It’s about giving your own life purpose, the feeling of being back at work, looking outside yourself, being needed by your friends and in the community.”

“That’s how we’ve built the membership – the group does good for each other, for other people, and the whole community benefits from our projects.”

The Menz Shed has completed several projects with young people in the community. 

Dennis said it had been a busy few years, from the very first meeting over two years ago at the Town and Country Club, to what had now been achieved – and a permanent home on the horizon.

“I signed up as a member at that very first meeting. 

“At the second meeting I thought, somebody needs to step up - so, I put up my hand to help and we formed a committee.”

Member of the initial steering group that got the Menz Shed up and running in Cromwell, Russell Fowler says having a clear focus, and that focus addressing a clear need in the community was key. 

“Yes, it’s a men’s shed - that singular focus allows us to address the needs of men living in the area in a specific way.”

Dennis said the Cromwell Menz Shed group stayed very informal and as time went on, Dennis said he just seemed to fall into the job of organizer.

“Where there’s a real interest and a real need, it just takes one person to step up.

“Start the ball rolling and others are attracted.

“Then keep the interest going with projects where they can achieve.”

Dennis said the group began by meeting fortnightly, to keep the momentum going. 

They had ‘a bit of a natter’, discussed and agreed projects. They talked about a wide range of topics from using a defibrillator, to men’s health issues and general ‘chit chat’.

“It was great to see those who were quiet to start with, begin talking, giving opinions, taking part.

“It becomes all about teamwork, being part of something beneficial.

“Men don’t have to have a trade to be involved; it’s important everyone can just be part of something good for the community.

“It’s winter, it’s cold out there, but there’s a drive that motivates us – it’s the companionship, it’s about being there for each other and for the community.

“And you go away feeling good.”

Dennis says an example is they had recently been donated a second-hand lathe. There was no project on for the men at the time, so he set the group the task of getting the lathe up and running.

“They got it running smoothly, then those who know how can teach others how to use it.

“They can all do some turning, for a project or for themselves.

“It’s about involving everyone in whatever way they want or can to be involved, they see the benefits, they get self-satisfaction and they get the satisfaction of doing something for each other.

“It keeps everyone going.

“Personally, I’ve never been so busy, so inspired, so excited about making friends, helping people and seeing people happy.”

Images Mary Hinsen