An East Ayrshire church has launched a Community Shed in its community to enable locals to learn new practical skills to make, repair and repurpose whilst combatting social isolation and loneliness and positively impact on the health and wellbeing of its members.
Stewarton Community Shed is part of the Thrive Stewarton initiative—set up by John Knox Parish Church and the Presbytery of the South West to support people in their 20s to 40s ‘outside the walls’ of the church.
The Shed was officially opened on the 9th March 2025 by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Rev Dr Shaw Paterson (pictured below centre). Overwhelming support was received by the community on opening day and community representatives including Councillor John McGhee, Depute Provost of East Ayrshire were also in attendance.
Pete Anderson from Stewarton Community Shed said: “We are delighted to announce that Stewarton Community Shed, known locally as simply ‘The Shed’, is now open on Thursdays 10am till 1pm. All welcome! The Shed’s mission statement says it all—‘Feel good about yourself, be productive, contribute to the community, connect with friends and maintain an active body, mind and soul’.”
“Connection, conversation and creation – that’s what joining a Shed is all about. This new resource in our community encourages members to work on their own and/or in a group setting in a safe and friendly environment. New members will be fully trained in safe working practices for all of our tools and equipment regardless of their previous skills and experience.
Rev Dr Paterson, who is no stranger to the value of skilled work as a former tiler described the project as a “wonderful resource” for the community and was honoured to be asked to open it.
Speaking after he cut the ribbon, the Moderator said: “Men in particular can find it hard to share how they feel. The Shed will promote good mental health by enabling people to come together and chat as they work shoulder-to-shoulder”.
Peter Anderson added that an employability project has also started at the Shed with unemployed men working on an oak town sign to be sited at the crossroads in the centre of the town. Participant James said: “I enjoy coming along to the Shed, learning new skills, making stuff and getting to know folk. I’ll be able to say… I made that!”
Not content with simply being a bystander in the workshop area on the day, Rev Dr Paterson donned safely glasses and an apron to try his hand at a spot of woodturning for himself. He said: “I echo the value of a place where activities can help with wellbeing—the value of gathering, working together, sharing knowledge and most especially having a conversation with others while working on a project”
Support Stewarton Community Shed and follow them on Facebook at @thrivestewarton. Images and story courtesy of The Shed, John Knox Parish Church and The Church of Scotland.
The SMSA has been shortlisted for the first time in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards in the ‘Community Impact’ category and needs your vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ Award.
Vote for the SMSA by 5pm on Tuesday 20th May 2025 and share this widely with your family, friends and networks.
SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder, said: “This recognition – as one of only 42 finalists across the country - is testament to the incredible progress made in Scotland within the Association’s first decade.
"Winning this award would serve as a powerful catalyst for awareness, change and much-needed investment for the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement and we urge you to take a moment to vote for us as your ‘People’s Choice’.”
SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder was interviewed* by Eileen West for River Dee Radio’s Wild West Show where he had the opportunity to share the story behind the SMSA and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement and encourage listeners to head to the Shed to see for themselves.
*An excerpt from River Dee Radio’s Wild West Show with Eileen West.
Approximate timings:
Start— 17.00 mins
The inspiration / early days / gender equality
17.00—23.51 mins
How to start a Shed / social anthropology / 'Underfoot Syndrome' / Covid and Sheds on Zoom
23.52 - 29.21 mins
Upskilling / recycling / skills / funding / banter and the importance of the kettle
29.22 - 38.20 mins
Genderology / the difference between men and women
38.21 - 43.11 mins
Saving billions / Social Return on Investment / SMSA Funding / Community Asset Transfer
43.12 - 57.14 mins (end)
Saving lives / it's a no brainer / win-win situation of Sheds
The SMSA presents the latest edition of The Scottish Shedder magazine to our 4,300+ members and subscribers.
Featuring the latest news, projects and personal stories from Men's Sheds across Scotland - as well as promoting relevant opportunities and raising awareness of men's health matters - grab a brew and read this issue at your leisure and click here for the downloadable pdf or use the flipbook version below.
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.
Deadlines for upcoming issues:
June 2025 issue – Friday 13th June 2025
August 2025 issue – Friday 15th August 2025
October 2025 issue – Friday 3rd October 2025
December 2025 issue – Friday 5th December 2025
What do you think of The Scottish Shedder?
The 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.
The latest Shedder (and previous issues) can be accessed on the SMSA website*
The SMSA chats to Hamish Thom, Chairman of Spey Shed, which now has 25 members and growing steadily—so much so, that they are beginning to feel that they are already outgrowing their current premises. Could a future move be on the cards?
Hamish said: “Four years ago, our local authority, The Highland Council, funded a woodwork teacher to open up on Friday afternoons for members of the local community to undertake woodwork activities there.
“Although, it was not called a Men’s Shed as such, it was a wee taste of what was to come with a great social side, with exceptionally good craic, and a place to learn new skills. There were 20 of us attending regularly before Covid came along.
“The pandemic changed everything and no longer could we meet at the school. We were devastated, what were we going to do? From there, our will to set up a Men’s Shed in Grantown-on-Spey began. We had no money, no constitution but we certainly had a committed group of men keen to have somewhere to meet again so we began our journey.
“I contacted the Cairngorms National Park and The Highland Council as well as their grant team about our vision and initial discussions were extremely encouraging.
“But then my wife Claire Thom, who just happens to be the Chairperson of the Grantown YMCA Community Centre on the High Street, offered us a room to meet. The workshop and social area (The Howff) were in a state of disrepair so, in return for being rent free for the first year, we offered to fix it up and make it a new and improved usable space to meet our members’ needs.
“The Highland Communities Mental Health Fund awarded us £7,000 which helped immensely to get us up and running. We fitted out the room, rewired, decorated, built wheelchair-accessible benches, constructed storage, sourced tools and repaired the stair lift (bottom right) which one of our members could not be without.
“The community started to hear about us and started donating items and Wickes also made a generous donation of tools. Wood was so expensive so we started recycling wood and receiving donations and surplus wood from local companies and individuals. We also began working with our local community development company, the Grantown Initiative, which supports local projects for the benefit of our community.
“We became aware of the SMSA at this stage and formed our committee and then we received our SMSA Shed Members handbook which helped us out hugely with many things—and saved us reinventing the wheel— such as securing discounted insurance and gaining charitable status. The SMSA has been an excellent support—we have full admiration for the association and they are always there—it’s great to have them just a call, email or visit away if we need assistance.
“We had plans to advertise our official opening widely but in the end, we really didn’t need to. Word was spreading fast across our community—we were already very well known and respected—and in July 2023, we held our official opening (pictures below) and what a day it was!
“Our committee spent a great deal of time putting systems and processes in place to deliver on our duty of care responsibilities for safe working. We found that we were struggling to have two Shed Supervisors at all times—especially in the warmer months—so the Shed members and trustees made the decision to close the Shed down over the summer holidays each year.
“So much work has gone into getting our Shed to this stage—as a friendly and supportive space for the people of Strathspey—and although we are already feeling with our current 25 members, that we are starting to outgrow this space, we still want to take some time to enjoy this stage and a wee breather before we even think about moving—after all, that’s what it’s all about. To manage our numbers, we are also thinking about implementing an online system for members to book themselves in for a slot to ensure everyone’s safety. “Spey Shed aims to grow to add other skills, crafts and potentially other Strathspey locations however right now our current space meets our needs. We feel a real part of the community—we recently received a £500 donation from the local church that uses the centre and £500 from the Highland Hub to improve our heating and insulation.
“We have access to kitchen facilities and even a cinema at the YMCA centre! There is so much potential and opportunities available to us that we have not had time to explore yet—we could potentially introduce cooking as a new activity for our members.
“We are also keen to visit other Sheds to learn from them and will be looking to apply, through our SMSA membership, to the Scottish Community Alliance Learning Exchange to fund this.
“Really, the world is our oyster. Yes, we do have our eyes on another potential building but, we have such a great relationship with the YMCA that we are staying put for a while. But, watch this space!”
Quit Your Way Scotland (stop smoking helpline): Call free on 0800 84 84 84
Relationships Scotland InfoLine: 0345 119 2020 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am–4pm) or visit Relationships Scotland to find your nearest service
Respect Men’s Advice Line (Help for male victims of domestic abuse): 0808 8010 327 (Mon-Fri. 10am-8pm), or visit the webchat (Wednesdays, 10-11.30am & 2-4pm)
Samaritans: Call 116 123 (24 hours)
Shelter Scotland: 0808 800 4444 (click here for festive opening times)
Shout: UK’s first and only 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis. Get free, confidential mental health support anytime, anywhere – text 85258
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) charity, the national support hub for 200+ Scottish Shed groups, and its founder Jason Schroeder, celebrate a decade championing men’s health and wellbeing and the growth and diversification of the Men’s Sheds movement in Scotland.
SMSA Chief Executive Officer and founder Jason Schroeder said: “We are extremely thankful to be where we are today thanks to our main drivers, supporters and 4,200+ members over the years believing in this life-changing and life-saving men’s ‘health by stealth’ model since day one. Without them, the Association would not exist and men’s health would not now have a platform to be more readily spoken about openly. Everyone wins through this model and we hope the support for this grassroots movement long continues.”
At the SMSA’s 10-year anniversary celebrations and national gathering, hosted with civic hospitality from Perth & Kinross Council, Mr Schroeder was presented with a surprise Men’s Shed style commemorative plaque from James (Jim) Paterson from Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed, which was the first-ever Shed to claim the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ title back in 2019. The unique plaque – created from whisky oak barrels and featuring deer antlers, a sgian-dubh (skene-dhu) with Damascus steel blade and the national association’s membership pin badges and metal studs and engraved with the anniversary dates using pyrography – was presented to the charity founder during the event proceedings.
Jason said: “We are extremely grateful to Jim from Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed for this very special plaque to mark such a huge milestone for the SMSA and myself. The plaque will take pride of place at the SMSA’s HQ in Banchory. As we reflect on how it all began and how far we have come – we are immensely proud today to be now known as Scotland’s largest member-led men’s health and wellbeing charity and that is thanks to our members, funders, partners, committed staff team and Board of Trustees, past and present.
“I wish to thank and recognise our three chairmen over the years – the late Brian Mackay, Derek Keiller and current Chairman, David Gardner. Inaugural trustees Willie Whitelaw (our first Secretary) and Charlie Miller, who is still on the board today, who signed up as our first Treasurer. Trustees, Harry McVeigh, David Searle and Jo Hobbett, were also pivotal to get the Scottish Men’s Shed model and Association off the ground.
“My own story is what started me on my path to find something more for the men of Scotland. Back in the financial crash of 2008/9, I found myself working two jobs yet still unable to pay my bills. I was divorced and trying to be a single parent and a better dad to my teenage son, I had a breakdown which resulted in several months off work and even contemplated suicide. I began to look for elders, men who had been through a similar situation, to guide me. After emigrating from South Africa to Scotland in 1997, I could not find men of that calibre in my community and felt I had nowhere to turn.
“So, I started a men’s group, called the Suns of MAC in 2009, which began slowly meeting at my house once a month and we would gather, create, cook and talk around a campfire. We kind of built my own temporary rustic Men’s Shed and began to really understand how men work shoulder to shoulder and how this, and taking rest breaks, builds connection and heart to heart communication. Then I heard about a talk being delivered by Dr Neil Bruce, Chairman of the New Zealand Men’s Sheds Association, taking place in Inverurie in Aberdeenshire and it changed everything.
“After the phenomenal success of the first Men’s Shed which opened in February 2013 in Westhill, Aberdeenshire after four years of development, I moved from my role as Aberdeenshire Council Development Officer to become the first employed Men’s Shed Development Officer hosted by Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action in Scotland. I was a founding member of the United Kingdom Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) which is based in England but due to funding never coming to Scotland in September 2014, I created the SMSA charity. I became the first Chairman and then in 2016, the Association received Scottish Government seed start-up funding for the first time and I became the CEO.
“Since the charity’s inception, we have created a tailored and unique solution-focused step-by-step pathway for new Men’s Shed groups to successfully tackle the developmental requirements keeping a voluntary group of men engaged month after month. Today, the movement has evolved so much – we are now supporting men’s health promotion, suicide prevention, documentation and policy, representing the movement and being the voice of ‘Shedders’ locally and nationally and much more.
“There is however still much work to do and now an estimated 10,000+ Men’s Shed volunteers (and growing) across Scotland that require our support so they do not get overwhelmed with running a Men’s Shed in their local community. The Sheds that are currently in development require our assistance, the open Sheds need to remain sustainable and to grow and thrive for future generations and even more new Sheds are required in communities where there is disadvantage and social exclusion.”
“Although the movement has grown significantly, unfortunately due to a lack of any increased core funding since 2016 from the Scottish Government – as we see for our counterparts in countries like Ireland – I truly believe we have unfortunately only reached a third of Scotland’s full development potential. It is our vision that one day, every man aged 18+ in Scotland will have access to, and the opportunity to attend, their local Men’s Shed if they choose to do so to improve their quality of life and we will strive to achieve this aim for as long as it takes. Here’s to the next ten years.”
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.
“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.”
‘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.
