Wangarang has been a successful recipient of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s grant round in 2016, with an amazing $50,000 granted toward the Women’s Shed facility upgrade.

The Women’s Shed have been given a permanent home here at Wangarang, in a large shed behind the main work site, which was being used as storage space. The area also has a number of large raised garden beds.   We have offered this shed area to the  Women’s shed as a permanent work space for their activities.

When the shed was erected, its purpose did not require an enclosed space and the amenities had all plumbing completed but were not installed.  Our upgrade project is to complete the amenities by installing toilets and basins as well as enclosing the entire shed.

Having access to a dedicated space will provide avenues of participation for isolated women who may be finding it difficult to mix in the community and to up skill them to maintain their independence.

The space is needed to support the programs activities such as:  minor home maintenance, basic car maintenance, do it yourself projects, using tools and equipment correctly and safely, repairing and restoring furniture, painting, decorating and learning work, health and safety practices.

Currently, there is a group of approximately 30 women attending regularly and 90 women signed up to the program. Many waiting until the facility is enclosed and amenities installed.

Thank you to the Newcastle Charitable Foundation for their support of our project. We cannot wait to see the upgrade as it unfolds.