Positive male friendships are said to help us men reduce stress and avoid an array of physical and mental health problems.

According to the literature, men who cultivate strong friendships tend to report higher levels of life satisfaction than those who do not.

They are said to enjoy a decreased risk of heart disease and increased life expectancy, while an unexpected outcome from socialising with other men is that it can even delay the effects of cognitive decline and Alzheimers.

Australia’s so-called “Dr Happy”, Dr Tim Sharp, has said male friendships allow men to expand their identities and learn from one another leading to more fulfilling lives.

“Men who lack social connections may experience loneliness and isolation, which can negatively impact their mental and physical health. But the key is shared interests.

“Men typically prefer to relate shoulder-to-shoulder rather than face-to-face – they enjoy being involved in a shared project, task or interest.

“So, positive male friendships often revolve around activities which provide a sense of belonging and connection.”

And, in this regard, the Alzheimers Society Eastern Bay of Plenty Incorporated has praised the Ōpōtiki Blokes Shed for its work with men suffering early effects of dementia.

A core of Blokes Shed volunteers meet at Peria House for a shared morning tea every Wednesday morning, then get down to work making wooden toys and fixing broken furniture.

There is opportunity for other men to join in, including those with dementia and early stages of cognitive decline.

This service is not just for Peria Village residents. Men living out in the community are welcome.

When a good array of wooden creations has been built up, they are sold to the public and proceeds are donated to community organisations.

“Ōpōtiki Blokes Shed supporters meet at Peria Village. The team has been busy creating, building, sanding and painting. They’d love your support,” an Alzheimers Society spokesperson said in a recent press release.

“Caring members of the Blokes Shed provide a place for our clients to socialise, share ideas/skills, and maintain creativity alongside our volunteers.

“Their toys and curios range in price from $20 to $70 – with some items (like their ever-popular logging trucks) priced on application. The toys are great for the grandies or for early childhood centres and funds raised go back into the local community.

“So, a huge thank you to Gordon Beattie, Doogie Crosswell, Roy Hamnett, Terry Wood and the others for volunteering at the shed, and to Peria House for supporting this men’s activity over the years.”

Mr Hamnett said he had been involved for about seven years and enjoyed the camaraderie. “Men our age have been around so we have stories to tell. Our generation got used to making things – many of the practical things which go into a house. Some patterns we use now are like items we made at school.

Those old kidney-shaped tables still seem to sell out. You just slap a bit of decorative paint on them, and they become Art Deco.

“The wooden toys seem popular as ever; we had a sale at New World about a month ago and sold most of them. Now we’re busy replacing this stock.

“These toys are aimed at kids in what we used to call the primmer age group. There are lawn mowers, rocking cradles, cots, seats, stools, tables, trains, trucks and puzzles – all the old favourites.

“And they’re made so that they can be left out in the sandpit and survive to be played with another day.”

As for the furniture repairs, most of this centres around older pieces. We don’t bother with anything that’s modern – it’s all chunky wood basically, not IKEA screw-it-back-together stuff.

“We’re not like Warehouse shoppers – we’re going to make things to last.”