This month VMCH launches its Build a Shed appeal, aimed to raise $80,000 to open two more Cre8 sheds in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. 

“Cre8 is many things to many people,” said Sonya Smart, VMCH CEO.  

Smart highlighted that this initiative addresses a service gap in the community to meet the diverse needs and goals of people with disability across generations. 

“It’s a safe and supportive place for teens to hang out after school and meet friends, for school leavers to pursue their woodwork interests and build their confidence, for adults to gain purpose through creating items to sell.” 

“We’ve seen people walk into this program quite withdrawn and without much direction, but with some mentoring and support, they’ve become more confident in achieving their goals. It’s life-changing and we’d love to see it happen for people in other communities,” she added.  

Cre8 is part of VMCH’s wider Job Skills program, which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to build on their skills across areas such as horticulture, hospitality and retail in readiness to enter the paid workforce. 

Working-aged people with disability are twice as likely as those without disability to be unemployed, and to experience social isolation. 

At age 42, Geoff figured Parkinson’s was “a disease for old people”. But as the reality of his diagnosis set in, the engineering lecturer was forced to contemplate a new way of living. 

He found the Cre8 shed in Wangaratta gave participants the opportunity to build on their carpentry skills, become more independent, and confident, and connect with peers. 

“Right from the start it felt right. The staff were very friendly and caring, my abilities were respected, and my disabilities were accepted. It felt like the kind of place where I could learn and grow with my changing abilities. Somewhere to learn and teach, where I could be inspired to design and create,” said Geoff.  

On the other hand, 19-year-old James joined Cre8 to build on his woodworking skills for his future career.  

“The staff are like friends because we have a laugh, and they don’t tell us off. It helps me feel supported and I trust them, so I feel like I could talk to them about anything if I needed to,” said James.  

Likewise, Geoff says the social connections have been a bonus. 

“It’s been incredible to be given real responsibilities and real work from the outset. People are putting their faith in me again, and from that, my faith in the world is being restored. I feel hope again.” 

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