The joint program involves Veteran Affairs and the University of Newcastle with a practical focus on better eating.

“They might be alone at home, or caring for their wife – maybe they just enjoy cooking,” Men’s Shed president Robert Bull said.

“These are simple meals they’re able to cook at home and they’re responding really well to it.”

The men are toward the end of the five week program.

Each lesson begins with a talk from fourth-year nutrition students from UoN before the men pick up “the tools”.

Each week they learn to make a new main meal and dessert from a cookbook provided to the men. Some of the meals so far have included pork and hokkien stir fry, beef stir fry, orange pudding and apple crumble.

“Men’s Sheds are all about men’s health,” Mr Bull said.

“We’ll probably run it again next year because we do have a turnover of members.”

Raymond Terrace Men’s shed has grown from just over 100 members to 158 in the past year, since the group’s relocation to Boomerang Park.

The shed will also participate in Senior’s Week in April. A legal workshop is planned for April 18 when a representative form Hunter Valley Legal Centre will be there to discuss topics such as wills, and accommodation for seniors.