The Ballarat East Men's Shed has received its first state government grant since its establishment eight years

ago.

Shed president Doug Jenkins said the $27,362 grant, announced on Thursday, would be used to relocate and refurbish the centre's metal-work

area.

For almost a decade the 100-member centre has been completely self-funded.

Recently it footed the bill for solar panels to reduce power costs at the site.

But Mr Jenkins said the shed infrastructure was struggling to keep up with the pace of the centre's growth and the group had applied for the grant through the Victorian Men's Shed Association earlier this year.

"We have been lobbying the state government for some time about the need for funding for the maintenance and running of the shed," Mr Jenkins said. "Up until now we've survived on our own two feet, but in order to expand our workplace, we really needed funding."

He said the funding would be used to upgrade the wiring at the centre, weatherproof the building and open up a storage room that could be used as an additional metal-work area.

Shed vice-president Ron Lancasder said the funding had been a long time coming.

"Joining the men's shed was the best thing I ever did," Mr Lancasder said. "It allows men to use their skills or even try out new things, but it's grown incredibly over of the years and we need more space for the men to work."

Liberal candidate for Buninyong Ben Taylor and candidate for Wendouree Craig Coltman were at the shed to announce the grant on Thursday.

Mr Taylor said the men's shed gave a crucial social outlet that allowed men to work together on valuable community projects and learn new skills.

His words were echoed by Mr Coltman, who said the men's shed provided a foundation of support for men in Ballarat and helped tackle mental health and social isolation.

"Every bloke needs a men's shed," Mr Coltman said. "Whether it be the Ballarat East Men's Shed or another community group, they need somewhere where they can go and share their thoughts or simply just have social interaction with other men."

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au