The coronavirus pandemic has forced a change in direction for community groups that regularly meet face-to-face.
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One of those is the Salvation Army Bendigo's woodwork activity group.
The group comprises of about predominately men, who would meet weekly in groups of six to eight and complete woodwork projects.
Meeting face-to-face in the Salvation Army's workshop is no longer possible but Salvation Army north west Victoria area officer Andrew Walker says telephone calls are proving just as effective.
"At the moment we are making weekly phone contact with all of the people from the woodwork group," Mr Walker said.
"All of them in the group are over the age of 65 and struggle with technology, so the phones work really well."
The woodwork program is one that targets socially isolated people and gives them a social outlet.
"These people have a tendency to naturally isolate, so it's important to touch base with them and make sure they are looking after their physical and mental health during this time," Mr Walker said.
"Even if we provide a listening ear so they can talk about things, that's a positive thing."
The Australian Men's Shed Association, established in 2007, has helped establish more than 1000 men's sheds nationwide.
It provides an opportunity for men of all ages to come together and work on meaningful community projects in the company of other men.
It's goal has, and continues to be, to advance the wellbeing and health of its members and to encourage social inclusion.
Men's Sheds has also been forced to change tact in recent times and has shifted its sheds to an online platform.
Even if we provide a listening ear so they can talk about things, that's a positive thing.
- Andrew Walker, Salvation Army north west Victoria area officer
Shed Online aims to facilitate conversations and exchanges between shedders.
It offers a simplistic way for members to stay in touch with each other and its scope could extend beyond the coronavirus pandemic, in connecting people who can't attend a physical shed.
"Unfortunately we are living in difficult times and there really is no replacement for visiting the shed," an Australian Men's Shed Association spokesperson said.
"Many sheds are implementing communication trees and buddy systems to ensure members are regularly contacted by phone.
"Others have increased the frequency of their newsletters to keep members connected to the shed as much as possible."
Coronavirus restrictions are also having an impact on the way Bendigo's Salvation Army makes contact with its clients.
Mr Walker said the Salvation Army was quieter than usual in the weeks preceding Easter.
"I think people were still trying to work out what was going on and everything was changing so quickly," Mr Walker said.
"We noticed this week there has been an increase in the number of clients we are seeing.
"There is also a higher percentage of people that are new to the service and have never accessed it before."
Bendigo Family and Financial Service general manager Jenny Elvey says more people have reached out to access its services in the past week.
"We have seen an increase in people ringing that aren't able to come into the office," Ms Elvey said.
With quantity restrictions enforced by supermarkets, tinned and frozen meats are different to source, she said.
"We can't buy in bulk like we could at one stage and are struggling to get some of those meat products such as tinned meats or frozen meats, including sausages."
Reaching out for help is always hard, particularly in the first instance, according to Mr Walker.
"Even with physical distancing, it creates another barrier to the whole process," he said.
"I hope people will become more comfortable in ringing and accessing our services."
The team at Bendigo's Salvation Army recently began delivering food packages to vulnerable people who are self-isolating.
"We are also sending out e-vouchers for supermarkets," Mr Walker said.
Mr Walker says that despite a change to the way the Salvation Army operates in Bendigo, people can still access most of its services.
"Instead of doing face-to-face interviews, we are doing phone interviews," Mr Walker said.
"We continue to provide our case management and financial counselling services at this time."
Bendigo's Salvation Army is located at 65-71 Mundy Street, phone 5440 8410.
Bendigo Family & Financial Services is located at 8 Myers Street, phone 5441 5277.
To learn more about Men's Sheds, visit mensshed.org