AFTER the tragic death of her husband Jarrod earlier this year, Nea Barclay and her family have found comfort in the support the community has shown them.

A recent example of this is the Portland Men’s Shed picking up on her idea to build a memorial seat, which will be placed at the Heywood Golf Club.

“He would have said don't make a fuss, don't worry about it, but inside he would just love it, he's going to have his seat at the Heywood Golf Club, and kind of be there, be a part of it forever,” Ms Barclay said.

“It’s going to go at the 14th hole, where he hit a hole in one, so it’s a special place for him.”

 Ms Barclay has been keeping herself busy by raising awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention in memory of her husband.

She has been organising a fundraiser golf day with the club for December 4, with money going towards the Black Dog Institute.

When she had the idea for the memorial seat, Ms Barclay was recommended to get in contact with the Men’s Shed, and was surprised to learn that addressing men’s mental health was also a large aim of the group.

“I didn't really know exactly what the Men’s Shed did, or whether they did these sorts of things for other people, so when I found out all that it makes it extra special,” she said.

“His dad is part of a Men’s Shed down in Melbourne, and he has made a couple things for us, but I didn’t realise they did such things for the community.

“And the seat is really beautiful, they’ve done a really great job and I am very thankful, it means a lot.”

Working from some photos and ideas that Ms Barclay gave him, Men’s Shed member Ken Hollis picked out some reclaimed, long lasting Oregon timber and got to work.

Mr Hollis has been involved in the group since their first meeting, and says there is a lot more to it than just woodwork.

“I went away for a little while, but came back when I downsized, and lost my little workshop, so it was nice to come back to,” he said.

“You meet different people, experience their different lifestyles, that’s what the Men’s Shed is all about.

“It’s definitely a worthwhile organisation in the community, there’s no doubt about it.”

Portland Men’s Shed president John Smith says he is happy Ms Barclay reached out to them, and encourages people with a project in mind, that they might not have the skills or equipment to make themselves.

“The place sits idle more than we’d like it to, so we are always happy to take something on, just come down and say hello and we can work something out,” he said.

“We do a lot of things like this, not only making things like this for people, but the function of the Men’s Shed is for men's health.

“I’m a bit from the old school way of thinking, but since I’ve been involved with the Men’s Shed have I realised how serious it is.

“And what we do really helps, you see the improvements in a lot of the guys and it makes it all worthwhile.”

· Support is available for anyone in distress by contacting Lifeline on 131 114, MensLine on 1300 789 978 (or online at mensline.org.au), or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 (or at kidshelpline.com.au).