The Lac-Brome Men's Shed / Atelier was started in 2019 in response to an article that appeared in a Senior's Magazine called "Good Times".  The article mentioned an organization called a "Men's Shed" which opened in Tongala, Victoria, Australia on 26 July 1998.  The aim of Men's Sheds is to promote the health and well being of senior men.  It is estimated that the number of Men's Sheds globally is approaching 3,000, operating in 12 different countries. 

Did you know that adults aged 75 and older have one of the highest suicide rates (20.3 per 100,000). Men aged 75 and older have the highest rate (42.2 per 100,000) compared to any other age group.

Non-Hispanic White men have the highest suicide rate compared to other racial/ethnic men in this age group (50.1 per 100,000).

My Personal Story

My father and mother had just moved from their home into a senior's apartment.  Shortly after, my mother passed away and my father found himself living alone after 67 years of marriage.  When my mother died, my father went into a depression from which he never recuperated.  I watched as my father's health deteriorated and he became more isolated and lonely.  We tried moving my father closer on several occasions but he had few interests and would continually want to return home, alone once again.   When he returned home, he  subsisted on Hungry Man Dinners for months, his health was deteriorating and we finally convinced him to move into a senior's assistance apartment where he could at least receive regular meals and perhaps meet other seniors.  His apartment was very nice, on the ground floor with access to the outdoors from his own apartment.  My father's health continued to deteriorate, not because  of health issues  but primarily because of lonelinesss and isolation.  We tried to involve him in local activities but he declined all of our attempts.  During this time my father sent me a Senior's  Magazine called "Good Times" which featured an article about Men's Sheds.  I knew of several senior men that had commited suicide and decided then and there that I would do everything in my power to start a Men's Shed in Lac Brome to alleviate the loneliness and isolation I was witnessing in my own home town.  It has now been 4 years since the establishment of the 1st Men's Shed in Lac Brome.  My father continued to deteriorate and eventually passed away from Covid-19 in 2022.  The Lac Brome Men's Shed has been a struggle.  We opened up a workshop in the basement of a local retail outlet in 2020 but this closed down during the Covid outbreak.  We lost our meeting place and games room during that same period due to Covid once again.  In 2023 we were offered a space where we could start rebuilding a workshop, a meeting space and a games room.  It has not been without it's issues but we are still marching forward because of the needs of the community.  We perform a lot of volunteer services within the community, the support of the community has been overwhelming and the Lac Brome Men's Shed is finally coming together, one step at a time.  We offer support, friendship, companionship, activities, continuing education, guest speakers and any kind of hobby that is of interest to our members.  If you have questions please feel free to give me a call, or send me your contact information and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  Welcome to the Lac-Brome Mens's Shed / Atelier.

Danny Williams

450-242-1088