The SMSA becomes a member of Unforgotten Forces

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is pleased to announce that it is now an official member of the Unforgotten Forces consortium.

Unforgotten Forces, led by Age Scotland, is a partnership of armed forces and civilian charities working together to deliver a ‘one-stop-shop’ of high quality and joined-up support and opportunities – including advice, healthcare, creative activities and events – that boosts the health and wellbeing of older veterans in Scotland (age 65 and older).

The SMSA recently launched its first-ever Manifesto where the Association pledged its commitment to improve its reach to the armed forces and veterans’ community through co-production. Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “The Association is delighted to become a member of this collaborative project. We will work with the other leading partners towards a common goal – extending our reach to collectively meet the needs of the armed forces and veterans’ community – to offer the right support to improve health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

“In Scotland, there are over 190 Men’s Shed groups and it is our vision to continue to support the growth of this Movement so that one day, every Scottish man will have access to and the opportunity to attend their local Shed if they choose to do so. The SMSA will afford this opportunity to raise awareness of Men’s Sheds and the wealth of benefits of attending this healthy and inclusive environment.”

Military veteran Stuart Paton said: “I have suffered from mental illness my whole life and have made several attempts on my life. It was extremely hard to transition to civilian life once the regiment and structure of the army was gone. Becoming a member of Garnock Valley Men’s Shed changed everything for me and gave me a sense of purpose again.

“I went along to the Shed and found it very friendly and welcoming with a diverse range of people, of all ages, and activities on offer. I have been involved in several different gardening opportunities, woodwork projects as well as joined the modellers’ club which ran throughout lockdown. The Shed experience is unique and my new-found Shedder pals have saved my life without a doubt. I have found real, meaningful friendships and these men don’t realise how much they have done for me.”

Doug Anthoney, Unforgotten Forces Co-ordinator, said: “A large majority of Scotland’s 220,000 veterans are older men, so they are a group disproportionately affected by later life’s challenges including loneliness and loss of purpose. Men’s Sheds can be a tonic for them, enabling them to rediscover the camaraderie and teamwork many enjoyed in the Forces.” 

Graham Reece, an RAF veteran and member of the Forth Valley Men’s Shed, said: “It is really hard to find friends and camaraderie back in civvy street, like we experienced in the Forces, but Men’s Sheds are breaking down this barrier. The friends you meet and make in the Shed are very much like your peers in the Forces and you are all in the same boat.”

For more information on Unforgotten Forces, please visit www.unforgottenforces.scot.

The SMSA recently took part in the Unforgotten Forces podcast to discuss what Men’s Sheds can offer ex-servicemen in Scotland, click here to listen to the podcast on Spotify.

SMSA representation at the Adult Mental Health in Scotland Digital Conference

**PLEASE NOTE: This event has now passed**

SMSA’s Executive Officer, Jason Schroeder, has been confirmed as a guest speaker at Holyrood Insight’s Adult Mental Health in Scotland Digital Conference. 

Jason will join an impressive line-up of government officials, health services, employers and third sector organisations for the event’s live broadcast on Friday 18th June 2021.

The SMSA represents the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement at key local and national events to ensure the sector’s voice is heard and was approached to join the panel of guest speakers to discuss the very important topic of ‘Supporting Men’s Mental Health in Scotland’.

Jason joins a wealth of partner organisations—including the Scottish Government, NHS, Brothers in Arms Scotland, Support in Mind Scotland, Penumbra, Scottish Recovery Network and the Scottish Association for Mental Health—for this digital event and panel discussion to promote the benefits of Men’s Sheds and the Movement as a whole and discuss how collectively these agencies can improve mental health provision in Scotland.

The event will explore national and local actions to improve the quality and delivery of mental health provision; mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health to reduce isolation, distress, and trauma; and adopt a joined-up approach to delivering mental health services both city and county-wide.  You can view the full agenda for the event at https://bit.ly/3cgFcAE

In the lead up to the event, Jason was also interviewed for Westminster Insight. Check this out at www.linkedin.com/pulse/mental-health-provision-scotland-jason-schroeder-mens-morgan

Unforgotten Forces – Regional Networks for East, North East, North and West of Scotland

Representatives of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement are welcome to attend these regional events.

A forum for those supporting older veterans to share good practice and problem solve together.  The regional events will include a discussion of housing with a guest input from Scottish Veterans Residences. This video conference meeting is primarily for Unforgotten Forces partner charities, but others may email (contact for each region below) to request to join the network.

26th April – 3pm-4.30pm
East Scotland network meeting
Contact Linda McNeill at linda.mcneill@agescotland.org.uk

27th April – 3pm-4.30pm
North Scotland network meeting
Contact Nina Semple at n.semple@poppyscotland.org.uk

5th May – 3pm-4.30pm
North East Scotland network meeting
Contact Linda McNeill at linda.mcneill@agescotland.org.uk

10th May – 9.30am-11am
West Scotland network meeting
Contact Debbie McLaughlin at D.McLaughlin@poppyscotland.org.uk

Men’s Sheds recognised at Voluntary Sector Hustings

Men’s Sheds don’t do politics in the Sheds but at the SMSA we work with all parties to support the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement.

With the upcoming election and launch of SMSA’s first-ever Manifesto (and issue of this publication to all candidates), it was excellent to hear a leader of a national party reference Men’s Sheds (St Andrews Men’s Shed) in his opening address at the recent SCVO Hustings event. The Movement is getting well established and to get this level of endorsement is a very positive and welcome sign after a very difficult year.

It was also encouraging to hear the leaders of the main Scottish political parties pledge their commitment to multi-year funding for the voluntary sector.

Read the full story here and watch the video below (the reference to Men’s Sheds is approximately 7 minutes in).  

Born to be mild – short film review

SMSA’s Executive Officer, Jason Schroeder, was contacted by BBC Radio Scotland to review a short film and bring his perspective on it to the ‘Sunday Morning with Connie McLaughlin’ show following his appearance on their programme last year.

The 15-minute film entitled ‘Born To Be Mild’ – which was shown as part of The Feel Good Film Festival – features a group of men who have what could be felt by some as ‘dull’ interests or pastimes but to them they are life-affirming, charming and heartfelt.

“The modern world is constantly speeding up. But not for the Dull Men’s Club – a group of men quite content with life’s more sedate pleasures. From photographing post boxes to collecting milk bottles, Born to be Mild is an uplifting celebration of finding joy in the very ordinary, and the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life.”

You can also listen to Jason on the radio show (1 hour and 46 minutes in). Jason’s thoughts on it were, whether it is the Roundabout Appreciation Society, Letter Box Study Group, milk bottle or brick collecting – just do what makes you happy.  These men are seeking a purpose and a hobby, so why do it alone when you can enjoy both in a Scottish Men’s Shed ‘shoulder to shoulder’ whilst also supporting your health and wellbeing?  Find your local Shed today!

Get your Shed cairtie ready for a hurl at this year’s Royal Deeside Motor Show Cartie Race!

The SMSA has partnered up with The Royal Deeside Cartie Race 2021!  The event—which will take place on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th July 2021 on the Kincardine Castle drive as part of the Royal Deeside Motor Show—consists of teams that have built and race their own push-along racing carts. 

Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “Not only will the SMSA have a presence and a stall at this two-day event, but we are also asking Sheds across Scotland to join us and enter their own teams for this fun family event. Sheds can enter for the race on the Saturday or the Sunday and who better to design and build the winning cairtie than our Scottish Shedders!

“This year, the theme for entries is Masked Crusaders and the best entry will win a prize. SMSA is also appealing for Sheds local to Deeside and the surrounding area to get involved in the actual build of the race track.  If your Shed is interested, please get in touch. 

“This is just a bit of fun after a very difficult year and all safety measures and physical distancing will be in place for this outdoor event. 

“This is an opportunity for Shedders to get back into the Shed in small numbers—utilising Pathfindr Safe Distancing Assistant technology—to get back working on fun projects together.”

Stephen Hall from the Scottish Cartie Association said: “Each team will be allocated two runs in order to secure their fastest time. The course follows a route down the drive at speeds of up to 40 mph. The driver will have the option of taking either a short chicane or a jump to test their skills on the Ski Slalom!”

“The event is limited to a maximum of 40 entrants. There is a junior category (driver is aged between 12 and 17 on the date of the race) and an adult category (driver is aged 18 or over on the date of the race).

“The extravaganza will see up to 40 carts going head to head in a time trial challenge. We also aim to help raise funds for Charlie House and for the SMSA.

“Soapbox racing was popularised in America and refers to an unpowered cart which is raced downhill, with gravity being the only form of propulsion. In Scotland, we traditionally call a soap box a ‘Cartie’ or ‘Kert-ie’ in Doric. A grand final will be held at the end of the day, with the top teams from the junior and adult categories going head to head to determine a final winner. Don’t forget, you need time to build your cartie, so enter as soon as possible to guarantee your entry for 2021!”

Full entry details, including design regulations and the rules, are available on the website at https://etiom.co.uk/royal-deeside-motor-show/cartie-race. 

DISCOUNTED ENTRY FEE FOR SHEDS: The entry fee is discounted from £45 to £25 per Shed team (plus £15 per person for event ticket) however SMSA will reimburse the £25 entry fee to all Sheds that race at the event.

Introducing 12 Guitars!

As we start approaching a time when lockdown will hopefully be easing soon and we start to consider re-opening our Shed doors once again, you might be keen to take a look at this social enterprise that caught our eye.

12 Guitars—currently based in Govan, Glasgow and formed by Gerry Thorogood and Steve Plummer in April 2019 —is broadening its focus and reaching out across Scotland with an ambitious plan to help people in our society that need a musical boost!

12 Guitars receives donated guitars from a variety of sources, recycles/upcycles them and donates them to people who could not otherwise have access to a guitar or perhaps don’t have the resources to buy a guitar. They then provide guitar tuition both physically and online and also have some workshop facilities to service, repair and restring donated guitars.

SMSA has been liaising with the management team at 12 Guitars and they have some ambitious plans afoot and we wonder if there could be synergy between our two organisations?  SMSA and 12 Guitars are keen to hear from Sheds, Shedders and Movement supporters if there is an interest to optimise the musical talent across the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement.

Ken Morton, Director of 12 Guitars, said: “We are very excited about potentially working with the SMSA and Shedders across Scotland. We have many exciting plans in the pipeline including online ‘gig nights’ that could be broadcast to the Sheds. We are interested to hear if there is an interest in guitars, guitar maintenance, repairing guitars and even forming Shed bands—the possibilities of this partnership are endless.”

To give you an idea of the “Shed Bands” live event idea and concept, here is an article of a series of events that took place a few years ago, around the world, called “Weekend Warriors” where bands were formed and performed for fun and to “soft” audiences (friends and families mainly) at www.australianmusician.com.au/weekend-warriors-a-firsthand-account and a video to show how the idea works in general at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFbIML3AcbA 

Interested?

SMSA and 12 Guitars are keen to hear your thoughts on this potential opportunity to learn new skills, help your communities through music and provide fun challenging musical events.

Please complete the online questionnaire at the link below to let us know your thoughts on this potential exciting collaboration.  Please respond by Friday 9th April 2021.

Complete the questionnaire online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/12Guitars

For more information on 12 Guitars, check out their website at www.12guitars.org, follow them on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/12GuitarsRock and watch a short clip of them in action on You Tube at https://youtu.be/K7wvRDu6i88

Scottish Men’s Sheds reopen 26th April?

On the 26th April 2021, Scotland will return to the levels system. On this date, it is hoped that Men’s Sheds will be able to re-open their doors—in line with SMSA’s ‘Reopening Guidance for Men’s Sheds in Scotland’—if they choose to do so.

SMSA recommends that individual Shed committees now begin to have these discussions on the reopening process (if not already started) as to whether or not your Shed is in a position to open to some extent.

Following the consultation on the guidance with Shed members and our partner organisations, SMSA is now releasing the revised version. SMSA is indebted to the organisations—including SMSA Shed Members, Age Scotland, Healthy Working Lives, Public Health Scotland, Scottish Community Development Centre and Scottish Government—that took the time to review the documents and provide us with feedback.

The guidance provides advice and examples for Sheds on steps and safety measures to put in place prior to opening their doors again when the time is right. The documents are intended for guidance only and were developed by the Association to attempt to cover all types of Men’s Sheds across Scotland and aid the individual decision-making process for each Shed Committee. 

SMSA will regularly review the guidance and advise Sheds of any changes. The guidance is now available in the SMSA online resource library (member log-in required) at:

www.scottishmsa.org.uk/shed-manual-resources/shed-resource-reopening-guidance-for-sheds

Manifesto

The SMSA’S manifesto was created to call on politicians and funders to support men’s health and wellbeing through Scottish Men’s Sheds.

The Association, which is trailblazing the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland, recommends five key actions for politicians, invested groups and the general public as a whole to support Men’s Sheds and fully recognise the wealth of health and wellbeing benefits for men over the age of 18.

SMSA’s vision is that every man in Scotland will, one day, have access to—and the opportunity to attend—their local Men’s Shed if they choose to do so.  Jason Schroeder, SMSA CEO, said: “SMSA is launching this manifesto at just the right time.  Sheds will be needed more than ever in post-COVID-19 recovery and it is vital to expand the SMSA and its support mechanism in line with the growth of the Movement to support Sheds across Scotland now and in the years to come.

“Investment and support to lead change is required to underpin the ongoing creation of this health by stealth and voluntary social wellbeing pathway for men.  SMSA is also recommending that localised support across the Shed network is embedded; a start-up and development fund for Sheds is implemented; a focused national awareness campaign is delivered; and the reach to the Armed Forces and Veterans community and Blue Light services is improved on.”

SMSA pledges to continue making a real difference by empowering thousands of men (our sons, brothers, fathers, uncles and grandfathers) and their communities – over the coming years – to play their part in a system change towards a wellbeing economy.  

Prostate Scotland ToolBox Workshops for Sheds

Following the recent release of Men’s Sheds in Scotland research from Glasgow Caledonian University on the health benefits of Sheds, Shedders may be thinking more about health awareness and education for their members. With this in mind, Prostate Scotland would like to let Shedders know about a new opportunity available for Sheds to raise awareness of prostate disease/cancer. Prostate Scotland can offer its new Zoom ToolBox Workshop to individual Sheds or Sheds coming together online.  

Why?

A survey for Prostate Scotland found that just over 50% of the general public surveyed and only 1/3 of men over the age of 55 could name a symptom of prostate disease/cancer. Yet an enlarging prostate or Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects almost 1 in 2 men over the age of 50.  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in Scotland with a 1 in 10 lifetime risk of a man developing prostate cancer. Prostatitis can affect men from the age of 18 with it being most common between 30 and 50 years.

Interested in a Zoom Toolbox Workshop?

So why not get in touch with Mae Bell to find out more and organise a Zoom ToolBox Workshop? It will be well worth 30 minutes of your Shedders’ time!  Contact Mae on 0131 603 8663 or mae.bell@prostatescotland.org.uk