MANY MEN, especially those over 50, find it difficult to express their feelings.

Experts tell us opening up and talking to others can have a profound effect on wellbeing, and since the founding of the Australian Men's Shed Association, so many men have discovered this.

Men's Shed is recognised as one of Australia's largest male-based community development organisations, and the Wynnum Manly and District branch has helped many men on the way to good mental health by sharing time and companionship.

It has been a struggle to keep the branch going due to land-lease problems but on December 6 last year, the Wynnum Men's Shed received an early present in the form of a lease for a parcel of land at the old Wynnum Manly Bowls Club.

"The shed has the greenkeeper's shed and we are now fundraising to purchase a 28-metre Total Span shed for our work area,” president David Westlake said.

"We were fortunate to have a shed donated by our Federal Member, Ross Vasta.

"It was a shed that was due to go to Vietnam during the war, but never did.”

The Wynnum Men's Shed began in 2011, founded by six men who wanted to help struggling men in the community to get their lives back on track.

Membership grew to 135 when the shed was at the Wynnum Central State School.

Unfortunately council required the shed in 2014 and the club lost many of its members.

Now with this lease gift late last year, organisers are determined to increase membership and have old members come back.

"We do a lot of fundraising through sausage sizzles and garage sales,” David said.

"We have activities such as helping the elderly and needy with small repairs. We do not go into areas that might inflict on tradespeople, just small jobs.

"We finally have our lease. We have all our machinery. The boys come in, make small things, do repairs for people in the area and help men if they are depressed.”

The shed will be open three days a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

For further information contact David Westlake on 0403641565.