Monday, 2 December 2024

Melbourne Men’s Shed Does The Talk and Walk for Health!

The Melbourne Mens Shed in Federation Square is quite unique – in addition to a variety of activities, if offers WALKING to its members! In fact, the Shed is only one of two in Australia where members participate in a Heart Foundation Walking Group!

The group achieved a significant milestone this year – 10 years of walking, and it would not be possible without the generous support of the Shed and a dedicated Heart Foundation Volunteer Walk Organiser, Ray Brett.

Walk Organiser Ray says ‘the group meet and chat for a while before the walk, some members join the walk and coffee afterwards – it’s been easy to fit in the walk to our plan… I would say for other Men’s Sheds to give it a go at starting a walking group’.

There are over 700 Heart Foundation Walking groups in Australia, including over 150 in Victoria. Walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke by 35% percent and Type 2 diabetes by 40%. But it’s not just your heart and muscles that benefit from walking. Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of developing some cancers and osteoporosis, improve balance and coordination, reducing your risk of falls and other injuries and improve our daily mood which cumulatively leads to better mental health.

The group members really enjoy the walks, saying they ‘ like to walk and talk’ and one said ‘coffee after the walk makes my day!’ Trevor said ‘The group has been a safe place for me on my mental health journey’, while Michael said that ‘It’s nice to get out with the group and the group provides encouragement and an opportunity for men to walk’.

The walkers come from different cultures and locations, same as far as Yarra Valley and Lower Templestowe. Due to the central city location, many walkers said they are lucky to have access to many beautiful walking routes, gardens and cafes.

If your Mens Shed would like to set up a walking group, contact walking@heartfoundation.org.au and you will be directed to a local support coordinator. Interested walkers can also find a local Heart Foundation walking group at Homepage | Heart Foundation Walking