Stirling Men’s Shed build cubby for diabetes centre

Men’s Shed member Tom Fitzsimons said the group was always on the lookout for charities they could help in the community.

“I’ve been involved with the men’s shed for about five or six years; we also make handcrafted wooden toys for kids here,” he said.

“It’s always appreciated here and we are well looked after by the staff.

“It’s nice to see the kids using all of the things we build, it’s great fun.”

John Della said the cubby house took about two months to build and assemble.

“We got it all in bits and then built it but we made a few changes to it,” he said.

“We’re also working on monkey bars, garden seating and a stage for the centre at the moment.”

Stirling resident Michelle Hayes attends the centre with her two-year-old son Jack and said it was a “home away from home.”

“It’s a great relaxed environment for Jack being a toddler and we live in Stirling so it’s really close for us,” he said.

“Being a toddler growing up with Type 1 Diabetes, it is a really big support for him.

“It’s a major support mentally and socially to meet other mums and to have something in common.

“This is the first one in Australia so we’re really lucky.”

Ms Hayes said she hoped Jack would continue to attend the centre when he is older.

“The environment is great, there is the toddler area with toys and the playground and there is the teen hang-out area.

“I hope when he’s older he’ll come here with his friends and this will be his hang-out too.”