Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed does it again!

‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ winner announced at national Men’s Sheds Association’s 10th anniversary celebrations

Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed has only gone and won the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ title for the second year in a row! Representatives from the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) – the national support hub for 200+ Scottish Men’s Sheds and Scotland’s largest member-led men’s health and wellbeing charity – made the big announcement at their gathering and day conference in Perth today (Friday 4th October 2024) to mark the charity’s 10th anniversary.

The event featured a jam-packed day of learning and networking for guest Sheds from all across Scotland before the announcement of the winner of the prestigious ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2024 where the three inspiring finalists – Banff, Breadalbane and Maryburgh Men’s Sheds – received the nail-biting news.

SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed won the title last year and are the first former winner to ever reapply and we are delighted that they did! They have taken the title once again with Maryburgh Men’s Shed coming a close second followed by Breadalbane for our bronze winner.

Bronze Winner – Breadalbane Men’s Shed (above)

Silver Winner – Maryburgh Men’s Shed (right)


“When we launched these awards back in 2019, it was never about winning – every Shed is a winner! The purpose is to raise awareness, celebrate, recognise and reward Scottish Men’s Shed volunteers for the work they are carrying out to improve men’s health and wellbeing and the impact that they are making in their local communities. Since then, the awards have grown tenfold. The tenacity of the Shedders to pull together never ceases to impress me. It is testament to personal and community commitment working selflessly for better quality lives.”

Mr Schroeder presented the winning Shed with the unique and esteemed SMSA targe trophy engraved with the Shed name and displayed in its stand designed and produced by inaugural winner, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed. Jim Paterson from Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed then revealed a surprise gift – a beautiful and most-fitting award—made of stag horns, Damascus steel, recycled whisky barrels and metal work – for the CEO’s ten years of service to the SMSA and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement.

Banff Shed will now hold the trophy until next year’s winner is announced. Banff Shed Chairman Bob Copland said: “We have got so much out of the awards last year that we reapplied to support the programme and the SMSA. We really didn’t expect to win again but, now we are over the shock, we are absolutely thrilled!”

Along with the title and trophy, the Shed receives prizes and discounts to support the running of their Shed including a £500 unrestricted cash prize from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA Shed Membership fees); a £150 voucher from Axminster Tools; a £250 voucher from Scotmid Co-operative to keep the guys going for a while in tea and biscuits; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Training worth £638; and a year’s free accounts package from Thyme Accountants worth £360 to support their Treasurer.

The anniversary event was supported by partners including Morrison Construction, Asda, Costco UK, Tesco and Morrisons.  The conference also featured a 3D Printing Showcase by Paul Stewart from Three Towns Men’s Shed; an MOT4Men preventative men’s health workshop delivered by the SMSA; the Community Asset Transfer Process delivered by Community Ownership Support Service (COSS); and Machine Competency and Woodwork Safety delivered by David Young Training.

Dr Danielle Hutcheon and Julie Cowie from Glasgow Caledonian University talked on their new research on the ‘Impacts of Men’s Sheds on the Health and Wellbeing of Working Age Men from Disadvantaged Communities’. Alison Leitch from the Scottish Social Prescribing Network presented on ‘Social Prescribing in Scottish Men’s Sheds’ – and the SMSA announced that they are currently working on guidance to share with their Shed members – and Mark Bloomfield from Axminster Tools also spoke on how they can support Men’s Sheds with advice and discounts to kit out their Shed workshop.  Guests were also treated to a pre-tour peek of the ‘Men Don’t Talk’ Play before Pete Lannon, Engagement Officer for Genesis Theatre Productions, highlighted some opportunities available for Sheds to get involved in the upcoming Scottish tour kicking off from the 18th October 2024 by providing some props from their Shed to the venues to give each performance a real feel of a Shed.

The event was made possible thanks to civic hospitality from Perth & Kinross Council. The Association received a civic reception and welcome from Provost Xander McDade and were also joined by Perth & Kinross councillors and senior managers including Vice Lord-Lieutenant Alex Cairncross, Moderator High Constables Society of High Constables Bill Duncan and Lord Dean of Guild Home Euan Begg.

Provost Xander McDade said: “We gathered here today to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association charity and the wonderful volunteers that run Men’s Sheds in their local communities. What has been achieved in ten years is phenomenal – from the launch of the first Scottish Shed in 2013 to now having 203 open or developing Shed groups. They are delivering transformational work and we look forward to seeing even more in the next ten years.”

Head to the Shed – find the Shed closest to you on the SMSA website at www.scottishmsa.org.uk/find-a-shed

Presentation of SMSA Annual Accounts 2023-2024

As part of the AGM business section of the SMSA Gathering and Day Conference on Friday 4th October 2024, the SMSA will present its Annual Report & Financial Statements (pdf, 4Mb) for the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 and ask members to approve the accounts.

If you are unable to attend the AGM on the 4th October 2024, please use the voting form provided (Word document) to submit your vote and any queries by Monday 7th October 2024. Your vote is important to the due diligence and good governance of your charity and we look forward to receiving them.

‘Men Don’t Talk’ Play to give pre-tour preview at SMSA Gathering

‘Men Don’t Talk’ – a play exploring masculinity, mental health and Men’s Sheds – will feature at the SMSA gathering next month!

REGISTER YOUR FREE PLACE HERE

‘Men Don’t Talk’ Play to give pre-tour preview at SMSA Gathering!

Starring Scottish actor Billy Mack, the moving and poignant ‘Men Don’t Talk’ play written and directed by Clare Prenton and produced by Genesis Theatre Productions, will be part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival this October, presented in partnership with the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) and Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation.

Three men who have never met before find banter, bird boxes and biscuits in a fictional Men’s Shed, which celebrates companionship, camaraderie … and custard creams. ‘Men Don’t Talk’ explores and explodes the myth that men don’t talk in this hilarious, moving and thought-provoking play.

But, before the play hits the road to tour across Scotland – from the 18th October to the 24th November 2024 – the SMSA has secured an exciting opportunity for a wee sneak peek for their members attending their tenth anniversary gathering in Perth on Friday 4th October 2024. SMSA delegates will be joined by Pete Lannon, Engagement and Outreach Officer for Genesis Theatre Productions who will show an excerpt of the play and update delegates on the upcoming tour and some opportunities for Scottish Men’s Sheds to get involved.

So, if you have not booked your place yet – what are you waiting for? Here is yet another reason to register for this not-to-missed event celebrating ten years of the SMSA.

REGISTER YOUR FREE PLACE HERE

SMSA Gathering 2024

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), the charity held a national gathering and day conference including the SMSA AGM and ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2024 courtesy of Perth & Kinross Council on Friday 4th October 2024.

References from the event:

Vote for your ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2024

Banff, Macduff and
District Men’s Shed
Breadalbane
Men’s Shed
Maryburgh
Men’s Shed

Vote for your ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2024

Vote

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), the national support hub for Scottish Men’s Sheds and largest men’s health and wellbeing charity in Scotland, today announces its three finalists for the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2024 Awards and officially opens to a public vote. It’s over to you!

The three finalists – Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed; Breadalane Men’s Shed and Maryburgh Men’s Shed – were shortlisted by the SMSA’s Board of Trustees following review of the applications, for this prestigious award that recognises and rewards the life-changing impact being made by vital and invaluable volunteers, known as ’Shedders’, across Scotland.

Chairman of Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed Bob Copland said: “Our Shed was delighted to win this award last year and as an avid supporter of the SMSA, the awards programme and what it can do for Sheds, we decided to get our application in again this year – not knowing that we are actually the first former winner to ever reapply.

“Once I had got over being utterly flabbergasted and speechless after hearing the news – that out of over 200 Scottish Men’s Shed groups eligible to apply, we had been shortlisted as a finalist again this year – we are immensely proud to say the least. We wish the other finalists the best of luck but the most important part of this process is not the winning but raising awareness of what the Men’s Shed model is all about, the impact it has on the men in our local communities and reach more men to encourage them to head to the Shed and check it out for themselves.”

Phil Richards, Chairman of Breadalbane Men’s Shed, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for this year’s awards. It really is recognition for the hard work and persistence of our Shed committee and members since our inception back in 2016 to get us to where we are today.”

Andy Barnett, Shed Treasurer of Maryburgh Men’s Shed said: “We are astounded to make it through to the final three. Since starting out during the pandemic in 2020, our members have lobbied and campaigned tirelessly to secure and transform the much-loved former primary school building in our village, which had lain empty for almost ten years, and bring it back to community benefit.”

SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “This is the sixth year of our awards programme and it continues to go from strength to strength and is hugely successful in promoting the huge positive impact made by Men’s Sheds across Scotland and the volunteers that run them. This year, the awards coincide with the tenth year of the SMSA charity and we will showcase the work of Sheds and our Association through our gathering which includes a day conference with networking, workshops, guest speakers, our AGM business and the awards announcement on Friday 4th October 2024 thanks to civic hospitality granted by Perth & Kinross Council to use their Council Chambers and Civic Hall.

“We now hand over the reins to give the public a chance to have their say on their Shed of the Year. There is no fierce competition however as our finalists all support each other immensely – which is what the Men’s Sheds Movement is all about and we look forward to celebrating all of the Sheds, not just our finalists, to mark our tenth year.

“Since our inception in 2014, there are now over 200 Men’s Sheds groups in all 32 local authority regions across Scotland but there is always room for more. It is our vision that every man in Scotland will be aware of and have the opportunity to attend his local Shed if he wishes to do so and we will strive to achieve that goal and help sustain those Sheds for future generations.”

Sheds across Scotland will gather at the event on Friday 4th October 2024 in Perth to connect, learn, share and network.  The winner, who will be announced live at the event, will receive the esteemed targe trophy to display at their Shed for a year on top of a cash prize from the SMSA (paid back from SMSA Shed membership fees) and goodies from sponsors and partner organisations including Machine Competency and Woodwork training on the Shed premises from David Young Training.

The public has until midnight on Sunday 15th September 2024 to vote online at https://scottishmsa.org.uk/smsotyawards

Probable Suicides Statistics 2023

The SMSA is shocked and saddened to read the Probable Statistics 2023 released by the Scottish Government today (13th Aug 2024).

SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “It is simply not acceptable that men’s health and wellbeing is not being taken seriously enough and male suicide rates continue to rise and Scotland has the highest rate of suicide deaths in the UK.


“Proper investment and support for the growth of the preventative, tried-and-tested, Men’s Shed model is imperative for a cultural change. I believe this year the Scottish Government Suicide Prevention budget will be doubled and looking at today’s statistics, we hope the suicide prevention decision makers in Scotland will take heed of this and suicide prevention core funding will come to the SMSA for the first time.

“Our Association, Scotland’s leading men’s health charity, exists to support the 10,000+ volunteers that run over 200 Men Shed groups currently open or developing across Scotland. The SMSA also initiates starting new Sheds especially in the most deprived areas of Scotland and in remote small towns, where men are feeling increasingly disconnected and lonely and this need exists.

“It is unfortunate that despite the huge amount of Scottish and worldwide research that has been carried out on this life-changing and life-saving Men’s Shed’s model and our real-life case studies on how Men’s Sheds positively impact on men and their families’ lives, that our charity has still had to fight year on year for funding from the Scottish Government to deliver our vital services.

“The last two financial years, we have thankfully managed to reverse an extraordinary decision to cut our funding entirely after garnering up immense support from the public and over 40 MSPs however still received no increase in funding since receiving a start-up grant in 2016 supporting five Sheds (£75,000). This minimal funding with no provision made for development plans and the cost-of-living crisis has cost the growth of the movement dearly. Whilst, our fantastic counterpart Associations in Ireland (1.2 million Euros) and Australia ($2.8 million) are fully recognised and receive the significant investment they deserve as leading forces in preventative action for men’s health.

“To put men’s health, wellbeing and suicide prevention at the forefront, we must raise awareness and move away from this inherited plight that men have found themselves with the ‘strong and silent’ type generic cultural model. Men’s Sheds have been in Scotland for 11 years now and should be seen as a key pathway in health – desperately required for the men of Scotland – to take control, express emotion, boost their health and wellbeing and support each other ‘shoulder to shoulder’ in a healthy, friendly and welcoming space within their communities.”

The Scottish Shedder – July 2024 Edition

The SMSA is delighted to present the July 2024 edition of The Scottish Shedder magazine to our 4,000+ members and subscribers.

The Scottish Shedder features the latest news, events, projects and personal stories from Men’s Sheds across Scotland as well as promoting relevant opportunities and raising awareness of men’s health matters.

Read this issue at your leisure using the downloadable pdf or flipbook version below.

What’s inside this issue:

SMSA DEVELOPMENT TEAM CHANGES
There have been some changes in your development team at your national support hub. As a result of funding cuts and demand across the whole of Scotland, the SMSA has restructured its staffing and implemented two part-time Development Officers to represent the East and West coast respectively to benefit Scottish Men’s Sheds and our support coverage to them to ensure we meet our members’ needs.

LAST WEEK TO APPLY FOR THE SCOTTISH MEN’S SHED OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2024
Only one week remains to apply for the sixth year of the SMSA ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards.You gotta be in it to win it! Apply by this Sunday (4th August) at midnight.

OPEN DOORS DAY…FOR SHEDS
To mark International Men’s Day this year, the SMSA is facilitating a Scottish Men’s Shed Open Doors Day! On the 19th November each year, we celebrate International Men’s Day and the positive value that men bring to the world, their families and communities. So, what better way to mark this day than encourage members of the public, social prescribers, our funders, partners.. and potential new members to come along to the Shed, with the doors swung wide open, to show them around, tell them all about what you do, meet other members, see activities in action and answer any questions they may have.  

CONNECTING GENERATIONS THROUGH SHEDS
Encouraging activities that connect our generations can bring long-term mutual benefits to all involved by building meaningful relationships and opportunities for learning. The SMSA delves into these intergenerational activities, ranging from gardening projects to woodwork and Duke of Edinburgh awards to work experience, to share a wee snapshot of what is taking place in many of our local Sheds.

A PERSONAL STORY: JOHN MCGHIE FROM STONEHOUSE MEN’S SHED
The SMSA chats to 97-years-young veteran, toolmaker and golf club manufacturer John McGhie who is the oldest active member of Stonehouse Men’s Shed and the most mature Shedder within the South Lanarkshire Shed network. Here, John shares his life story and how he connected with his local Men’s Shed which he now ‘could not live without’.

SHED IN THE SPOTLIGHT: INVERURIE & DISTRICT MEN’S SHED
As Inverurie & District Men’s Shed (IDMS) marks their tenth year with a gathering of faces old and new to celebrate a decade of community, connections and camaraderie, their Chairman Alex Smith reflects on the highs and the lows of what has been achieved in that time and also shares their exciting plans for expansion to meet the needs and further grow their already 150-strong membership.

AXMINSTER AT ARMADALE
The SMSA caught up with Axminster’s UK Business-to-Business Technical Consultant Mark Bloomfield following his visit to Armadale Shed to offer face-to-face advice on new machinery and equipment for their renovated workshop, following a devastating fire last year, and deliver training to their members in time for re-opening.

3D PRINTING AT THREE TOWNS MEN’S SHED
The SMSA caught up with Deadpool, AKA Paul Stewart (42) from Three Towns Community Shed, for a chat to hear all about his latest highly-detailed 3D printing project—a full red and black suit based on the Marvel comic character made completely on their Shed’s 3D printer—and their plans to make smaller versions for wee ones to buy or hire to raise funds for the Shed.

3D PRINTING AT THREE TOWNS MEN’S SHED
The SMSA caught up with Deadpool, AKA Paul Stewart (42) from Three Towns Community Shed, for a chat to hear all about his latest highly-detailed 3D printing project—a full red and black suit based on the Marvel comic character made completely on their Shed’s 3D printer—and their plans to make smaller versions for wee ones to buy or hire to raise funds for the Shed.

AND MUCH MORE…

What do you think of The Scottish Shedder?

SMSA is keen to hear what you think of the publication and has created an online survey to gauge your thoughts and opinions. Your feedback is appreciated to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our readership.

Contribute to a future issue of The Scottish Shedder

We urge you to maximise the potential of this resource by sending us your updates to showcase your Shed and raise awareness of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland. 

NEXT DEADLINE (SEPTEMBER 2024 ISSUE): FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2024

SMSA’s ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2024

Applications are now closed for the sixth year of the SMSA ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards.


The SMSA’s awards programme exists to recognise, reward and promote the contribution Men’s Sheds make to our communities across Scotland and the huge life-changing impact that they are having on the people that attend them.

With over 200 Sheds now open or developing across all 32 local authority areas, these awards celebrate and showcase the connections and camaraderie taking place to benefit men’s health and wellbeing by combatting social isolation, loneliness and boredom.
 
All submissions will be ‘blind’ judged by the SMSA Board—meaning that all references to places, areas, partners, names etc have been removed by the SMSA team beforehand to ensure unbiased decisions and scoring by the SMSA Trustees.
 
Three shortlisted Sheds will then be announced at the end of August and open to a public vote for three weeks before the winner is revealed at the SMSA awards event, AGM and Shed gathering to mark the SMSA’s 10th Anniversary on Friday 4th October 2024 in Perth.

The Scottish Shedder – May 2024 Edition

The SMSA is delighted to present the May 2024 edition of The Scottish Shedder magazine to our 3,900+ members and subscribers.

The Scottish Shedder features the latest news, events, projects and personal stories from Men’s Sheds across Scotland as well as promoting relevant opportunities and raising awareness of men’s health matters.

Read this issue at your leisure using the downloadable pdf or flipbook version below.

What’s inside this issue:

SMSA—Scottish Government Funding Update
As the SMSA faced threat of closure due to the loss of its core funder since 2016, the Scottish Government, the charity provides an update on the current situation to members and supporters.

New SMSA Guidance for Shed Members
The SMSA has developed a new ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy’ template for Scottish Men’s Shed members along with new Dual Social Prescribing Guidance (in leaflet and poster format) to advise both Shed members and social prescribers.

SHED IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Troon Men’s Shed
Although it is early days for Troon Men’s Shed, the developing group is certainly making headway in their community to create a safe space for men to meet up for social and creative activities in Troon in Ayrshire to combat social isolation, boredom and loneliness. The Scottish Shedder covers their journey so far.

A PERSONAL STORY: Stuart Mackenzie, Lanark Men’s Shed 
The SMSA interviews 42-year-old Stuart Mackenzie who kindly offered his friends a lift to a meeting of their local Men’s Shed ten years ago but had no urge to go himself and thought that DIY meant ‘Don’t Involve Yourself’. Fast forward to present day, and he has a mad passion for woodwork and is the Chairman of Macmerry Men’s Shed.

SHED LIFE: Inverclyde Shed secures funding for triple growth
Inverclyde Shed is celebrating its first year in their new ‘bigger and better’ Shed premises with some more great news. The Shed has been awarded £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Awards for All Programme to develop three of their key future projects.

SHED LIFE: Bridge of Don Men’s Shed helps young learners grow
An intergeneration gardening project between Bridge of Don & District Men’s Shed and their ‘neighbour’, Forehill Primary School, has resulted in the Men’s Shed fully-funding a resource at the school to connect generations and work together for mutual benefit to help young learners grow!

SHED LIFE: Stonehouse Shed opens up their ‘back yard’
Following 18 months of hard work from a dedicated Shed Team, Stonehouse Men’s Shed officially opened up their ‘back yard’ on Saturday 25th May 2024—which will be a considerable new asset to the Shed members and local community.

SHED LIFE: Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed’s Alternative Energy Project
In September 2022, in view of the unprecedented increase in energy costs, Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed decided to pursue the possibility of installing its own means of generating power and heat to address their carbon footprint and do their bit towards Scotland’s target of reaching net zero.

SHED LIFE: Fire-hit Armadale Shed soon to be back in business!
It has been over a year now since a blaze broke out at Armadale Shed causing extensive damage. The Shed is thankful that no-one was hurt and is now gearing up for a new fresh start with their 40+ strong membership.

SHED LIFE: A new Shed, a new location and a fresh new start
St Andrews Men’s Shed’s ambitious relocation plans have come on leaps and bounds since The Scottish Shedder last reported back in our January issue.

And much more…

What do you think of The Scottish Shedder?

SMSA is keen to hear what you think of the publication and has created an online survey to gauge your thoughts and opinions. Your feedback is appreciated to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our readership.

Contribute to a future issue of The Scottish Shedder

We urge you to maximise the potential of this resource by sending us your updates to showcase your Shed and raise awareness of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland. 

NEXT DEADLINE (MARCH 2024 ISSUE): FRIDAY 19TH JULY 2024

Glasgow Caledonian University secures funding for additional Men’s Shed research

Glasgow Caledonian University’s (GCU) Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health has secured funding for a co-design community project to develop realist programme theories around the impact of Men’s Sheds on positive health and wellbeing of socially disadvantaged, working-age men.


The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health previously led on the Sheds for Sustainable Development Project which focused on supporting Men’s Sheds in Scotland to be both financially and socially sustainable.


Dr Danielle Hutcheon said: “We are delighted to announce that we have received this funding from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) to conduct a one-year study of the health and wellbeing impacts of Men’s Sheds on working age men from socially disadvantaged areas.


“The study will use a realist approach to explore ‘what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and how’. More specifically, the study will be used to: understand how Men’s Sheds can support positive behaviour change and health and wellbeing of men who may be involved in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, socially-isolated and/or unemployed, and; how the Shed model can be tailored to address the needs of working age men in socially disadvantaged communities who might not already be engaged.


“The study will be led by Dr Julie Cowie, Senior Research fellow from the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, and will commence in October 2024. The team will be in touch with the SMSA and Scottish Shedders closer to the time with more information, but are very much looking forward to doing more important research to support the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement!”