Story Wagon—coming to a Shed near you?

The Story Wagon is a touring arts space providing free creative writing, story-telling and reading facilities and activities to communities across Scotland.

The founder of Story Wagon, Luke Winter, is a writer that makes stories happen. Luke said: “I moved to London in 2013 to do freelance work and that is where I began busking with my typewriter. I started to write stories for people in the streets to make them smile. 

“On my return to Scotland in early 2020, I noticed that the high street was unfortunately not as popular as it used to be so I decided to look for funding to create a ‘space’ that could pop-up in town squares and outside community centres to enable me to talk to people and let them write and share stories.

“I got in touch with Jason at the SMSA to chat about how Scottish Men’s Sheds and Shedders could become involved with the Story Wagon project but unfortunately, the pandemic put those plans on hold.

“Making the wagon through lockdown was a brilliant experience. The wagon is the end result of so many talented and generous people. We had many craftsmen and volunteers involved in the build and utilised various types of wood including Ash to make the front doors, Douglas fir to form the back gable along with pitch pine. We also recycled and repurposed materials where possible to give them a new lease of life.

“In August 2021, we had our first-ever outing in the wagon in Skye and it has grown from there. We have been popping up all across Scotland and our travels have taken us to Castle Douglas, Edinburgh and Paisley to name but a few.

“The Story Wagon is now a sanctuary for everyone to get creative and express their stories. It is a welcoming pop-up writing den that provides desk space, cups of tea, typewriters, voice recorders, books and good old-fashioned paper and pen.

“It hosts a programme of writing, reading-out-loud and storytelling activities. Its large veranda can be unfurled to provide sheltered outdoor arts activities.

“We are excited that as part of Visit Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022—a national programme of more than 60 in-person, virtual

and hybrid events—the wagon will be hitting the road to tour and are reaching out to Sheds to see if there is interest in them becoming involved in this journey.

“Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 will celebrate stories inspired by, written, or created in  Scotland. We all have a story to tell and the wagon is here to help everyone share them with others.

“Touring will take place from the end of March until the end of October and I would love to hear if Sheds would like the wagon to ‘pop-up’ near them to see their members. Shedders are also very welcome to join in on the Scotland’s Year of Stories events where the wagon will be featured.” 

For more information on the Story Wagon and to see photos and videos from the wagon build project, please visit the website at www.storywagon.co.uk and follow its journey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Is your Shed interested in becoming involved in The Story Wagon Scotland tour?

Contact Luke Winter at luke@storywagon.co.uk

Demystifying Social Prescribing for Men’s Sheds: A Cross-Nation Event

*THIS EVENT HAS NOW PASSED

The aim of this cross-nation event is to demystify social prescribing* for Men’s Sheds, through presentations of Shedder experiences, recent research findings and a panel discussion and opportunity for Q&A.

*Social prescribing is a community referral. GPs, nurses and other health care professionals can refer people to a range of local non-clinical services (like Men’s Sheds) to improve their health and wellbeing.

This event will bring together the cross-nation Shed network and social prescribing organisations and is open to anyone with an interest or involvement in Men’s Sheds (across the UK and Ireland) and to anyone working or involved in social prescribing.

The event will cover:

  • Social Prescribing and Men’s Sheds – research findings presentation (Dr Bryony Porter, University of East Anglia).
  • Social Prescribing in Practice – the perspective of a social prescribing organisation
  • Men’s Sheds Social Prescribing Case Studies
  • Panel Discussion and Q&A

This event is a cross-nation collaboration organised by Dr Bryony Porter (University of East Anglia), Dr Dani Hutcheon (Glasgow Caledonian University) and Aisling McGrath (Waterford Institute of Technology) who have each worked on research projects with Men’s Sheds. 

IMPORTANT NOTE

In advance of the event, the organisers are asking attendees (especially Shedders) to complete a small questionnaire to harvest their knowledge on social prescribing. If your Shed has experience of social prescribing, please complete the questionnaire to share your thoughts to support the event discussions on the day.


     

Shed Movement Showcase In Our Scottish Schools

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS NOW PASSED

If you missed the webinar ‘Spotlight on Men’s Sheds: The Impact on Individuals and Communities’, now is your opportunity to watch the 90-minute recording, including presentations and films from the SMSA, The Inverclyde Shed and Dr Danielle Hutcheon from Glasgow Caledonian University here on You Tube.

Online Event – Tuesday 1st February 2022, 4.00pm – 5.30pm

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has been working in co-production with Education Scotland and our partner Glasgow Calendonian University to deliver this Men’s Sheds Movement Showcase event directly to Education and Community Learning and Development practitioners in our Scottish schools.

Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “This event is a first for the SMSA and a huge intergenerational opportunity to raise awareness of the impact and the range of health and wellbeing benefits that Men’s Sheds are delivering in our Scottish communities.” 

The event will feature:

  • a spotlight on the SMSA and Scottish Men’s Sheds – highlighting the impact on people and communities in the context of Community Learning and Development
  • showcase footage from the Inverclyde Shed to tell their story
  • guest speaker presentations from Jason Schroeder (SMSA Executive Officer) and Dr Danielle Hutcheon (Glasgow Caledonian University)
  • a Q&A session
  • an opportunity to explore and discuss potential intergenerational links and a way forward for Men’s Sheds to work together with schools for future generations

The target audience for this event is professionals within the education sector in Scotland and an invite has also been extended for representatives from Scottish Men’s Sheds to attend.

MEN DON’T TALK – a new play by Clare Prenton

PLEASE NOTE: This event has now passed.

Finally, after a long, pandemic-related pause, Claire Prenton’s play – written with ten members of the Peebles and District Mens Shed in 2019-2020 – will enjoy a professional rehearsed reading on Saturday 29th January 2022 at 4.30pm at Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre Peebles.

Written thanks to funding by Inspiring Life, a mental health charity which aims to prevent suicide and help mental health through the arts, the play is an original story but was inspired by sessions with the men. There will be tea and cake/biscuits included in the ticket price – it is a Shed, after all! 

Book tickets online at https://eastgatearts.com/events/men-dont-talk or call the box office on 01721 725 777.

TIME: 4.30pm (4pm for tea and cake)

MEN DON’T TALK by Clare Prenton 

A rehearsed reading directed by Clare Prenton 

Three men who have never met before find banter, bird boxes and biscuits in a fictional Men’s Shed in this play created in collaboration with Peebles and District Mens Shed. The one act play was created in early 2020 when Peebles shed members explored male isolation and mens’ mental health and wellbeing, to inspire the writing of a new play about camaraderie, companionship… and custard creams. 

The play is presented as a rehearsed reading with a cast of three professional actors and explores – and perhaps explodes the myth that ‘Men Don’t Talk’. 

If you would like to see a perusal copy of the script, please do get in touch. The play is a 3 hander with gentle audience participation, tea and biscuits and currently stands at approx 45-50 mins in length. 

With all best wishes for the season and a happy new year. It’s been another challenging one. Here’s to ’22. 

Clare Prenton
www.clareprenton.com

International Men’s Day Debate in Westminster

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) represents the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement across many sectors as well as through our Scottish Ministers in Westminster.

At the recent Westminster Hall Debate for International Men’s Day 2021 various Ministers shared the difficulties men and boys face in our modern society today. Men’s health is more than often being overlooked by governments but there are new organisations and movements which celebrate and support a healthy masculine role model emerging to rectify the negative toxic male stereotype we have inherited and Scottish Men’s Sheds is one of them. The Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement welcomes men over the age of 18 to join Men’s Sheds which can create a unique intergenerational experience for all involved to experience camaraderie with purpose in a ‘shoulder to shoulder’ mentoring way.

Margaret Ferrier, Independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, recognised the vital work of the SMSA and her recent meeting with Jason Schroeder, SMSA Chief Executive Officer commended the enormous impact Men’s Sheds have on the wellbeing of men of all ages that attend in her speech. Margaret’s speech begins at 21.40 mins into the video (below).

Check out the Hansard (Official Report) here. Margaret’s speech prompted some of the Members that followed to also acknowledge Men’s Sheds including Mrs Maria Miller (MP for Basingstoke) and Gavin Newlands (MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire).

Check out the video below for the full debate that took place on Thursday 25th November 2021:

HRH The Princess Royal Unveils Plaque at Official Opening of Banchory Men’s Shed

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, today unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the official opening of Banchory and District Men’s Shed in Aberdeenshire.

Her Royal Highness was greeted on arrival by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Kincardineshire, Mr Alastair Macphie, who introduced the Deputy Lieutenant of Kincardineshire, Mrs Claire Maitland, and Mr Paul Evans, the Chairman of Banchory and District Men’s Shed.  Mr Evans introduced Mr Alastair Black, Legion Scotland Area Chairman for Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine, then invited the Princess Royal to enter the Men’s Shed workshop.

The Princess Royal toured the new facility, accompanied Mr Paul Evans, who said: “We are honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to mark the opening of our Men’s Shed. It has been heartening to see this project finally come to fruition after many hurdles. It can now go forward as a resource for men in our community who are looking for new social contacts and activities, for example after retirement.”

In the workshop, Mr Evans presented members Mr Fred Harrott (silversmithing), Mr Alan Pumfrey (bird table construction) and Dr Bill Byth (bicycle maintenance).  Entering the Men’s Shed social area, Mr Evans presented members Mr John Dunnett (model steam engines), Mr John Mason (clock repair) and Mr Duncan Davidson (Treasurer).  Mr Alan Pumfrey demonstrated his model railway and showed models of Banchory railway buildings that he had made.

Banchory and District Men’s Shed is the first ‘Shed’ in Scotland to link up with Legion Scotland and it was unfortunate that one of the champions of this, Mr Jason Schroeder – Executive Officer of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) – could not take part on the day due to illness.  Jason is an ex-serviceman and championed this collaboration from its origin in 2015. Mr Schroeder said: “After so many years in the making, I was personally gutted to not be able to attend the opening due to illness; however, the SMSA still ensured representation at this very special event. It was kind of HRH Princess Anne to convey her best wishes for a speedy recovery and I shall be concentrating on just that. I look forward to visiting the Shed and the guys as soon as it is safe for me to do so.”

The Princess Royal then spent some time chatting outside the Shed with other members and their wives and some invited guests including Gerry Robb, the architect upon whose plans the Shed premises were based, and Bruce McCombie, the building contractor for the conversion.

Mr Evans then invited Her Royal Highness to unveil the plaque to commemorate the opening, which was hand-engraved by member, Mr John Mason. Mr Alan Pumfrey then presented Her Royal Highness with a gift of a bird box made by himself.

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).  

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

SMSA National Conference now on our You Tube Channel

If you missed the opportunity of the sold out Scottish Men’s Sheds Association national online conference on the 21st January 2021 you can now enjoy an edited version of the first half of the conference.

Big thanks for all the Sheds input, Tim Green (Age Scotland Men’s Shed Development Officer), Dr Dani Kelly (Glasgow Caledonian University), Maurice Corrie (Cross party Armed Forces & Veterans Chairman and MSP) and our SMSA Trustees.

Listen to how the Sheds have fared over the last 10 months of the Pandemic, our new Emergency Shed Funding, the ground breaking Pathfindr safe distancing assistant now available through the SMSA for free to all Scottish Men’s Shed members and lastly the latest status of the SMSA Reopening Shed Guidance.

#menssheds #menswellbeing #menshealth #scottishshedders

Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement debated in Scottish Parliament

Today (Thursday 18th February 2021) at 5.05pm, The Scottish Parliament debated on the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement during Members’ Business led by Maurice Corry MSP alongside four-minute speeches from Kenneth Gibson MSP, Rona McKay MSP, Stuart McMillan MSP and Christine Grahame MSP.

The debate is in reference to the ‘Scotland’s Men’s Sheds Movement’ motion (S5M-23991) lodged by Maurice Corry MSP on the 27th January 2021.

Watch the video below.