$50,000 boosts services to help men

Kwinana men will be better equipped to get help and break isolation thanks to a $50,000 boost to the Salvation Army men's services.

Corp Captain Peter Jones said the sponsorship from Austal helped upgrade its drop-in centre, community garden and Men's Shed.

"Men are useless because we don't partake in activities outside of our comfort zone," he said.

"With isolation comes depression and we get lost."

He said the money had provided new floors and paint to the drop-in centre, and renovations to the laundry, bathroom and office were yet to come.

"It's building on services to make people welcome and to alleviate the isolation," he said.

Capt. Jones said the drop-in centre was getting up to five people a day for help, company or to get something off their chest.

"Now the men aren't just coming for the shed, they can access computers for Centrelink or email, have a shower or gain skills in the garden or shed."

Austal chief executive Andrew Bellamy said he was pleased to be able to help the Salvation Army expand its successful program and deliver even greater support to the community, through a variety of innovative and valuable initiatives.

Capt. Jones said the service was seeing more families than usual who were finding it tough with low employment opportunities and higher rent and utility bills.

"We had 12 people come for financial help on Friday, six of which hadn't used the service before," he said"