Southern Alberta men’s health group member steps up to raise cancer awareness

Mark Vella saw a need for male camaraderie in southern Alberta during the COVID-19 pandemic and founded a local chapter of Men's Sheds about two and a half years ago. What began with a simple "take one, leave one" library box has since expanded tenfold, now boasting 50 members who engage in activities like restoring motorcycles and building community projects.

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Our first project was (a take one, leave one library box), now here we are restoring motorcycles, building lots of things for the community.

Vella, now the executive director, describes Men's Sheds as a "safe space where we get to talk about men’s health and wellness, where we actually get to do something about that." He frames much of this work within recreational therapy, emphasizing the benefits of project-driven activities.

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Men’s Sheds provides that safe space where we get to talk about men’s health and wellness, where we actually get to do something about that. A lot of that is framed in recreational therapy, the project-driven work that we do.

Steele Tolman, a recent member, calls the experience "life-changing." He found the local chapter after admiring the Men's Sheds concept for years. "The connections I’ve made, it’s woken up passions that I had given up on, like my wood carvings," Tolman said. He highlights how the group has countered the isolation he experienced working alone, fostering strong friendships he never expected.

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It’s been life-changing for me.

Breaking down the stigma surrounding men's mental health is a core aspect of the group's mission. Secretary Tom Hovan notes their increasing involvement in this area. "Men’s mental health is a really big issue," Hovan stated. He shared a personal experience, noting the profound support he received from the group when his wife was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and their shared joy upon her recovery.

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I mean, the connections I’ve made, it’s woken up passions that I had given up on, like my wood carvings.