THOSE who would normally attend the Kerang Men's Shed are missing the social interaction, but have been keeping busy at home with various projects.

Some have been making wooden bird boxes to be placed along the Loddon River levee walk, while others have taken home furniture from the shed to restore.

"We've had projects that have been sitting around for quite some time and they've had the opportunity to take them home individually and restore them in their own sheds," Kerang Men's Shed coordinator Harry Sambrooks said.

However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the men have been denied a significant social outlet.Mr Sambrooks admitted some of the men were struggling with increased isolation.

"I've got probably five guys who are doing it really tough," he said.

"One of them's even got a wife at home he gets along well with and he's mentally finding it really ordinary (not having the social interaction with the other men)."

Mr Sambrooks noted many other members don't have companionship at home, leaving them particularly vulnerable in the present climate.

He outlined the full-time commitment he feels towards members despite the part-time nature of his Men's Shed position.

"I work for the Men's Shed, for the (Kerang) hospital three days a week, but it's a role that lasts seven days a week and in this time it's been terrible," he said.

His concern is not for himself, but for the welfare of the men.

"I'm happy to do it, but I had 18 different guys ring up over a period of two days, so it can get on top of you a bit," he said.

Mr Sambrooks noted the men were resourceful and able to find plenty to do at home, but for many that doesn't make up for the lack of human contact.

"The Men's Shed is a big part of their life," he said.

"I've probably got eight guys out of the 35 or 36 who will just come there to chat and maybe get something done (by) someone else because they're not physically capable, but they're happy to just have a cup of tea and a chat and they're certainly missing those things."

Some of the men have been contacting others by phone to maintain a social network.

Mr Sambrooks explained a couple of members have been able to continue running the community garden, while another man works behind the Men's Shed cutting up kindling.

The Kerang Men's Shed coordinator said tight controls have had to be kept to ensure men were not able to socialise during the current restrictions.

He said while that measure may be protecting the physical health of the men, it was clearly having a detrimental impact on the mental health of some.