A Personal Story: Billy Christie

Almost ten years ago, William (Billy) Christie – the newly-elected Chairperson of Barrhead Men’s Shed – was diagnosed with testicular and prostate cancer and health complications that forced him to give up a much-loved career. Feeling lost, Billy reveals why connecting with his local Men’s Shed and peers in his community was a godsend for him.

Billy (62) said: “I am a third-generation market trader and when the markets declined, I began opening up my own shops. I made a good living with a £1million business turnover and had ambitious plans to double that. Then in 2014 came the devastating news that I had testicular and prostate cancer and my life changed drastically.

“Following my surgery, there were many complications including an MRSA infection and septicemia.  I was in and out of hospital, my marriage broke down, I had to leave my home due to no longer feeling safe and my doctor advised that my body was too weak to ever return to work. I suffered from mental health issues that eventually saw me get sectioned.

“After my divorce my youngest brother also passed away and I found myself in a very dark place and contemplated suicide. I knew I had to do something so I rejoined my church.

“A founding member of Barrhead Men’s Shed is also involved with the Salvation Army and had been raising awareness of the Shed at the church and a lady came over to talk to me about it. I was in a very bad place, there’s no doubt about it, and can honestly say that this exchange was my saving grace.

“I decided to go along to the Shed and a friend came along with me. Having this place to go was an absolute godsend and gave me a purpose to get out again and kickstart my life.

“As a market trader I was never shy but over the years, I had lost my confidence. The more I went along to the Shed, the more I started to come out of my shell and met some great guys, including Alex Locke. Alex was so kind and knowledgeable and he guided me. I had never so much as picked up a screwdriver before and he really took the time to introduce me to all the tools and machinery. When we lost Alex earlier this year, to a heart attack, it was a huge loss to all of us at Barrhead Men’s Shed. Alex achieved so much and the Shed would not be what it is today without his input.

“Huge thanks must also go to Bill Core and former Chairman, Alex Storrie—two of our founding members for everything they have done. I cannot take credit for any of what has happened in the past and can only do my best as I take it forward.

“I started to get more and more involved. Some people think you need a trade behind you to help out or attend a Men’s Shed but you really don’t.  I now had a place that I could utilise my management and organisational skills and in July 2023, was elected as Chairman.

“There are a lot of talented men in our Shed with no prima donnas – everyone is equal, no one is more important than anyone else and we all muck in to clean the toilets and wash the dishes. We have a local celebrity that attends our Shed – former Radio Clyde DJ Dave Marshall – and he has zero interest in any special treatment or recognition – he just wants to be a Shedder.

“We have around 80 members – young and old, the oldest being 82. There is the happy guy, the grumpy guy, the sleepy guy and the mix just works!  We provide a wide range of social activities including a ukulele group, laser printing, sewing group, woodwork and model railway club. We are always open to trying new activities requested by the members. Last year, we trialled an afternoon social opening with board games but unfortunately there was not much take up however, we may offer this again though the winter months.

“On our committee we have Robert Humphrey, our Secretary, who really is the glue that keeps it all together and our Treasurer Ross runs the accounts exceptionally well. Once a month, we hold an informal meeting and any member is free to join us and we hear an update from all the different sections.

We are currently implementing more forms like job sheets to be a bit more professional. There have been a few teething problems but it is working to improve our processes.

“We have had to put a cap on our membership of late. Our facilities are fantastic and a fair size, we are extremely lucky to have secured a peppercorn rent through East Renfrewshire Council and have four units knocked into one, and we have no plans to expand or move. We all want to stay where we are. Potential new members are however, more than welcome to come along and check out the facilities and be put on a waiting list. We cannot guarantee a membership straight away but would also never turn anyone away.

“It’s a double-edged sword as the Shed is a much bigger success than we ever dreamed of. I always say though that we are not running Barrhead Men’s Shed PLC here, we have to be realistic – the bigger we get, the bigger the bills.

“Yes, we have to carry out projects to raise funds however our primary function, the reason we are all here and volunteer our time, is to meet the needs of our members, improve men’s health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

“I am a perfect example of how a Men’s Shed can improve the lives of men. Cancer changed everything for me and it felt like a death walking away from my company and ambitions. I didn’t want to just stay home and do nothing. I have gone from feeling lost and suicidal to now having an extremely positive outlook for the future. I feel valued here and have a purpose.”

Shed in the Spotlight – Dingwall Men’s Shed

The SMSA takes a peek at the almost-complete Dingwall & District Men’s Shed, ‘built by the community, for the community’ on a former skate park and now one step closer to an official opening after 19 months of hard graft from its members and supporters.


Brian Liddle, Dingwall Men’s Shed Chairman, said: “Back in 2017, our founder Dr Andrew (Andy) Foley mooted the idea of setting up a Men’s Shed in our area. A small group of us were very keen on the concept and for my sins, I put my hand up to volunteer to become the Chairman and we began to meet regularly to discuss our plans.

“To kickstart our get-togethers, we were offered the community centre at Ross County Football Club and that is where we spent hours talking, planning and dreaming.

“After a year, we were then given use of the local scout hut in exchange for doing up the place and maintaining it. For the first time, we had a space to make things but the downfall was that there was no heating in the hut and it was just not do-able in the winter months. We explored many alternative premises and gained none until one day, we queried the large expanse of land (1 acre) adjacent to Ross County FC which was formerly a skate park and had not been used for over a decade.

“We prepared a detailed business plan for Highland Council and were thrilled when we were offered a peppercorn rent on a 30-year lease. Initially, we thought about portable cabins being placed on the site but then our aspirations for what was needed in Dingwall and the surrounding area started to grow arms and legs. We wanted an intergenerational community facility incorporating a community craft village for local people to go to socialise, make connections and have fun and a purpose with the aim to improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing; gain confidence, learn new skills and utilise and share existing ones, partake in their hobbies and interests and improve their awareness of health matters relevant to them.

“Our outcomes for the project evolved in line with national outcomes to live longer and happier and healthy lives, improve our environment and build a strong and resilient community that supports each other. 

“The next step was to get an architect on board and our plans were passed by the planning department just as Covid reared its head and scuppered progress. We continued to fundraise and apply for grants during this time and also purchased some containers which are still on site now but mostly used as storage.

“In 2021, we started building once we had reached £46,000 – we connected to the sewer which was a massive job and one of the few times we have had to hire in professionals. Then, power was connected to the site from 400 yards away. In March 2021, the foundations went in and we started to attract locals and trades people with real skills and we all acted as their labourers.

“We had people from all walks of life including an airline pilot, medical professionals and photographers all rolling up their sleeves to help with anything that needed doing at the time from digging trenches and making kindling. The Department for Work and Pensions was also sending people down here to gain experience. It is amazing what people will do for a cause like this.

“We have spent just under £90,000 so far to transform the site and today, we have a high-quality and fully-accessible social unit, metal and wood workshops, a second workshop, polytunnel, log cabin, kitchen, the community craft facility and ample storage. Funding has been achieved through donations, grants and income generated through our project work.

“We don’t wish to highlight any specific individuals or funders for the success of this project, it really has been a fantastic team effort but we must recognise the legacy of our founder, Andy Foley, who sadly passed away. He recognised a need to create something very special here in Dingwall and it will now be here for many generations to come.

“The biggest highlight for me personally through all of this is when we made the building watertight. Right then and there, I knew success was guaranteed and we could finish this project. We are now delighted to have 36 officially members with around 16 regularly coming along two days a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. We have big ambitions for up to 100 members and to open additional days and attract all ages.

“Future short-term plans include obtaining our occupation certificate, installing our fire and smoke alarms and concentrating on our Christmas production line to raise funds then we can start planning for our official opening and raising awareness with our local media for a recruitment drive. To even say we are immensely proud of the joint achievement by everyone involved would be an understatement. Many hurdles have been put in our way and together we overcame them. Let’s see what the future brings.”

Follow the Shed’s journey on Facebook.