Ten Scottish Men’s Sheds receive life-saving kit through charity partnership

Springburn Park Men’s Shed with their defibrillator

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has partnered up with Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity and leading first aid training provider, St Andrew’s First Aid, to provide free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to ten Scottish Men’s Sheds.

The SMSA put a call out to the 190+ Men’s Sheds across Scotland inviting them to apply for the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and received 44 applications showing a huge demand for this vital equipment (retailed at just over £1,500) to be located at Shed premises across Scotland.

The ten recipients will use the equipment to not only protect their members but – with the addition of an outdoor cabinet purchased by the Shed – will also make them accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sudden cardiac arrest strikes 7 million people a year worldwide with no warning and no pattern. There’s little time to react and even less time to think, this means an AED must be close at hand, easy-to-use and ready to shock. Chris Jowsey, Treasurer of Glenkens Men’s Shed, said: “One of our members had a cardiac arrest whilst at the Shed and sadly passed away despite the prompt actions of his fellow Shedders to get medical assistance. We can’t help but wonder if we’d had a defibrillator that day, if the outcome might have been different. 

“We are delighted to have received this defibrillator through the SMSA and St Andrews First Aid and to be able to make it accessible to our entire community.”

Tom Bennett of Springburn Park Men’s Shed said: “We have been trying to raise funds for a defibrillator for over two years for our Shed located within a public park in our village. We are thrilled to accept and maintain this defibrillator and make it accessible to our members, other community groups, park users and the general public.”

Brian Kerr, Secretary of Dumfries Men`s Shed, said: “We are very pleased to have been one of the ten Sheds selected to receive one of the defibrillator units. We really appreciate it, and being in larger premises with new members already joining, it is re-assuring to know that in the unfortunate event that it is needed, we could possibly save someone`s life with this kit. It doesn’t get any more serious than life and death and we are very grateful to both the SMSA and St Andrews First Aid for their donation.”

Jim Dorman, Director of Campaigns and Public Engagement at St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Knowing that these vital pieces of equipment will be available to both members of the ten Sheds and to the wider communities will hopefully bring considerable peace of mind. With every minute that passes following a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival drops by 10%. Swift use of a defibrillator is all the difference needed to significantly increase a person’s chance of survival. We are delighted to donate these defibrillators to help more communities save lives.”    

The successful Men’s Sheds across Scotland are: Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed; Forfar and District Men’s Shed; Glenkens Men’s Shed; Inverurie & District Men’s Shed; Macmerry Men’s Shed; Mens Shed Dumfries; Pentlands Men’s Shed; Peterhead & District Men’s Shed; Springburn Park Men’s Shed; and Whale Firth Men’s Shed.

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.

Machine competence and woodwork training courses for Sheds

REOPENING TRAINING DEAL FOR SMSA SHED MEMBERS

*£580 for one full-day on-site training for your Shed.
£290 for the first five Sheds that apply (with a low bank balance)!

David Young Training has offered an additional 10% discount on his machine competence and woodwork training courses for reopening Sheds as an SMSA Shed Membership benefit.

Original discounted price for Sheds: £638, new discounted price: £580 and the SMSA will pay 50% of this fee for the first five Sheds that apply (with a low bank balance). REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE.

David Young Training at Garnock Valley Men’s Shed

As runners up in the 2020 ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards, Garnock Valley Men’s Shed (GVMS) received a 50% discount on machinery competence and health and safety training through SMSA’s partner, David Young Training.

Having recently lost their Shed Manager to full-time employment, GVMS decided to follow the example of other Sheds and have a group of Supervisors available on a rota system. David Gardner, Vice-Chair and Treasurer of GVMS, said: “We quickly realised that our new group of Supervisors required training on our workshop equipment so decided to take up the offer of the discounted prize from David Young Training.

“Arranging the date was difficult, due to COVID-19 restricting travel and numbers, but we eventually settled on Wednesday 14th July 2021. The trainer, David Young, arrived at our Shed at 10am on the day and having been shown around and introduced to the training volunteers he started what proved to be a very successful day.

“The comments from each of the guys at the end of training were very upbeat and complimentary (see right for a few examples). We felt that the investment in this training was excellent and we would have no hesitation in recommending David Young Training to carry out professional, instructive and user-friendly training for other Sheds.”

Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “To support Sheds during the reopening process, we are delighted that our partner, David Young Training, has offered an additional 10% off his already discounted price for Scottish Sheds that are members of the SMSA. 

“On top of this, the SMSA would also like to offer to pay 50% of the cost (now £580) for the first five Sheds that receive training within the next 60 days meaning that those Sheds will received a full day’s training—for up to eight of your members in your Shed—for just £290. With machinery being dormant for over a year and the need for refresher training, this is the perfect opportunity to come back to the Shed and stay safe.”

Feedback from GVMS

“May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation/ privilege to have been involved. The theoretical and practical aspects of ‘best working practices’ were inclusive, extensive and delivered in a most understanding manner.  I took from the workshop, a broader knowledge base of the safe working operation of the various machinery as instructed. Much appreciated and recommended”  Sandy

“Gave us exactly the training we needed, in our own workshop. David is extremely knowledgeable, helpful and a very enthusiastic trainer. Highly recommended!”   Stewart

“This training gave me confidence to handle some machinery for the first time, it reinforced safe use and also gave us a knowledgeable assessment of our equipment. It highlighted what we need to do to make a more efficient and safe working environment” Steve

“As someone whose tool of choice is a pen, I found David’s training day fascinating. I now know what some of the machines in our Shed do. I was particularly impressed by his emphasis on safe use of potentially dangerous devices.” Henry (GVMS Chairman)

Glasgow Caledonian University launches toolkit to help roll out Men’s Sheds across the UK

Glasgow Caledonian University has launched a new ‘toolkit’ to help increase the number of Men’s Sheds across the UK after research showed they improve the mental and social wellbeing of older men.

The community spaces offer the chance for men to take part in practical activities, such as woodwork, metalwork, model making or gardening, and are credited with tackling loneliness and social isolation.

Originating in Australia in the 1990s, the number of Sheds in Scotland has increased from one in 2013 to more than 190 today. There are more than 1500 across the UK and Ireland.

Researchers at GCU have been working with Men’s Sheds in Scotland to make the movement financially and socially sustainable, as part of a project backed by the National Lottery Community Fund.

It’s resulted in a new ‘toolkit’ for communities, a guide full of information on how to access funding, source sites, set up committees, run services and offer social activities.

Dr Danielle Hutcheon, research associate at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at GCU, said: “The Sheds offered a lifeline for a lot of people struggling with social isolation and loneliness, especially for men who live alone or are carers.

“What we’ve seen with the Sheds being closed, since March last year, is a real decline in men’s health and wellbeing.

“A lot of the Shedders we spoke to only left the house a couple of times a week to go to the shop or to go to the Men’s Shed. That was the only social contact they had throughout the week.

“Going to the Shed gives a lot of the men a sense of purpose, they treat it almost like a job. It gives them a sense of confidence and value in their lives that they didn’t have before.

“The key to the success of the Men’s Sheds is men’s ability to talk ‘shoulder to shoulder’, while doing a task, rather than sitting face to face in a lunch club or a pub. It’s a relaxed, informal, welcoming environment.”

The toolkit, created in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including the Scottish Men’s Shed Association, Scottish Government, and Age Scotland, will be made available throughout the UK and Ireland.

Dr Hutcheon added: “It comes at an important time. There is a lot of competition for funding at the moment. The toolkit will hopefully help Sheds expand, survive and sustain.

“There’s no doubt the Sheds are having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of a hard to reach group of men.”

Case study

Bill Core

Bill Core is a co-founder and trustee of Barrhead Men’s Shed, which opened in 2014. He’s 78-years-old and used to work in the furniture trade.

Barrhead’s Shed has 58 members and is based in an industrial unit in the town.

He said: “When I was semi-retired, I remember sitting in the house fed-up, thinking to myself what is my life going to be like when I’m fully retired? What the hell am I going to do?

“It’s fine in the summer if you can get out and do things but, in the winter, when the weather is bad, it can feel as if the walls are closing in. You find yourself looking up into the sky and thinking how long do I have before I’m up there?

“The Shed gave me a purpose to get up in the morning, it was a place to go to meet people like myself, keep busy, have a laugh and enjoy myself.

“The guys look forward to coming and arrive with a smile on their face and leave with a smile on their face.

“You get satisfaction from helping other people, from keeping minds active. A lot of members had high powered jobs in the past, there’s a real cross-section of society.

“I thoroughly enjoy making clocks from chunks of wood. I get an immense amount of satisfaction from it. Some of the stuff we’ve produced has been donated to local schools and nurseries, so the whole community is benefiting from the Shed.

“If anyone is sitting at home and thinking they would like to come along my advice would be put on your coat and do it. You won’t regret it, it will change your life for the better.”

NEW RESEARCH PAPER RELEASED: The impact of community Men’s Sheds on the physical health of their users

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Sheds for Sustainable Development Project has announced the publication of a new paper on the physical health effects of Men’s Sheds on their users.

Read the latest research paper at: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829221001453

The main highlights of the report include:

· Men face inequities in their access to and use of primary health services

· Research has called for more male friendly approaches to physical health engagement

· Findings suggest links between Men’s Shed activity and improved physical health of users

· Men’s Sheds may provide an alternative route for male physical health improvement

Community Benefit in Procurement and what it means for Sheds

The Scottish Government, as part of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, is encouraging all local authorities to promote the improvement in economic, social or environmental wellbeing of their areas through procurement.

All public sector contracting authorities are required to consider including community benefit requirements for all regulated procurements where the value is equal to, or greater than, £4 million.

What does this mean for Sheds?

Well, each authority is being asked to consider how contractors can help with community projects as part of their tendering process. North Ayrshire Council for example will soon be launching a new community benefits process where local community groups can submit an easy-to-complete form with their wish list of projects they require assistance with.

This is an ideal opportunity for Sheds to identify projects where outside help could mean that projects are completed on their behalf or a contribution of labour or materials may be available.

Further information on Public sector procurement: Community benefits in procurement is available on The Scottish Government website.

The following local authorities and Third Sector Interfaces are already up and running with this, including:

· East Renfrewshire Council

· Perth & Kinross Council – Sustainable procurement and community benefits

· Argyll & Bute Council

· Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI)

In March 2021, NHS Scotland’s National Procurement division also introduced its online Community Benefits Marketplace in addition to some very useful guidance for third sector organisations.

This is an opportunity not to be missed by Sheds, so please check in with your local authority to see what stage they are at by contacting their community focussed person/team (who will be best placed to signpost you to this support) rather than approaching Procurement.

David Gardner
SMSA Chairman

Your Shed and Dementia: A manual from the Irish Men’s Sheds Association

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has produced this manual to raise awareness of dementia as well as offer advice for Shedders, their families, carers and Shed committees on supporting a member with dementia.

Adapted from a version created by The Australian Men’s Sheds Association (AMSA) and Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, the ‘Your Shed & Dementia’ manual has been launched to better facilitate men with the condition and make sure there’s a place for them in local groups.

Developed in partnership with the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the manual offers tools to help Shedders recognise signs of dementia, as well as offering practical communication and listening tips.

Click here to view/download the manual.

‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2021 opens for applications

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has today opened its prestigious ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2021 to applications from Men’s Sheds across Scotland.

The awards recognise and reward the contribution and impact Men’s Sheds make to society – telling the story to raise awareness of the benefits of Sheds to men, their family and friends and the community as a whole.  The awards event will take place virtually on Zoom again this year as part of the Association’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 4th November 2021.

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement began in 2009 and the first-ever Shed opened in Westhill in Aberdeenshire in 2013. There are now 190+ Sheds across Scotland, identified on the SMSA’s online ‘Find a Shed’ map, voluntarily engaging over 10,000 men. Men’s Sheds have a positive impact in supporting men’s health and wellbeing and encourage members to become more engaged within their communities to reduce social isolation and loneliness and also, needed now more than ever, provide a unique pathway towards post-COVID-19 recovery.

Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to launch these awards, for the third year, to celebrate and showcase the life-changing work being carried out in Men’s Sheds across Scotland. Sheds are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of men (aged 18 and over) through friendship, support and camaraderie and we want to hear from Scottish Sheds on the impact they are having within their localities. 

“We also want to know about the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them so that other Sheds can learn from their experience.  Although, the event is being carried out online again this year, it certainly will not stop the Shedders coming together to share experiences and learn from each other.”

Last year, The Inverclyde Shed was crowned ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020 – receiving 36% of the total votes from the public. Bruce Newlands, Chair of The Inverclyde Shed, said: “It was a huge surprise being awarded this title from the SMSA, particularly given the difficulties we and every Shed experienced learning to live with COVID-19. The award has helped unlock doors and make new partnerships with a range of people that we previously had not connected with. Many other Sheds have reached out in friendship to learn from how we’ve done things and the lessons we have learned. The award has also brought a great sense of pride to our Shed and our area – a belief that we can be confident that we are really making a difference.”

In 2019, Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed scooped the title of the very first ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’.  The Shed was recognised for the incredible work carried out since its inception in 2016 and the team of seven men who carried out 30,000 man-hours over the 104-week construction process on its Shed build before its official opening in May 2019. Mike O’Brien, Chairman of the Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed, said: “Since winning the title in 2019, we have had a busy and successful time – our reputation just seemed to escalate and we have recently won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service too.”

Scottish Sheds – that are members of the SMSA – can apply online by midnight on Sunday 26th September 2021. Shortlisted Sheds will be selected from all of the applications by SMSA’s Trustees before going to a public vote for two weeks from Monday 4th October 2021 in the run-up to the event. The winner and two runners-up will be announced on the day.  The winner will receive the esteemed targe trophy – designed and collectively created by SMSA and several Scottish Sheds – to display at their Shed for a year in addition to receiving an array of prizes from supporting organisations.

First-ever UK & Ireland Men’s Shed Toolkit launched

Glasgow Caledonian University’s ‘Sheds for Sustainable Development Project’, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and partnered with the SMSA, has launched Men’s Sheds: A toolkit for the development and sustainability of Men’s Sheds in the UK and Ireland.

The toolkit provides easily accessible support and guidance where needed on a Shed journey and is split into two main sections.

Part 1 provides guidance to those thinking of starting a Men’s Shed or those in the development stages.

Part 2 is for Sheds that are already established who might be looking for advice and information e.g. how to overcome unexpected challenges.

The toolkit can also be a useful reference point for agencies supporting Sheds and at the back of the toolkit, there is a list of useful sources of information and support.

The toolkit is also available in the SMSA online resource library for individual members to access at any time.

The Men’s Sheds toolkit was written by Dr Danielle Kelly and Professor Artur Steiner, Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health of Glasgow Caledonian University. The SMSA is delighted to be involved in developing this guide for Sheds as part of this four-year partnership project.

Ten FREE defibrillators up for grabs for Scottish Men’s Sheds

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is working in partnership with St Andrew’s First Aid to offer FREE Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to ten Scottish Men’s Sheds on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sudden cardiac arrest strikes 7 million people a year worldwide with no warning and no pattern. There’s little time to react and even less time to think, this means an AED must be close at hand, easy-to-use and ready to shock.

St Andrew’s First Aid is Scotland’s dedicated first aid charity and leading first aid training provider and the Association is delighted to be teaming up to provide this life-saving kit to Sheds to not only protect Shedders but also the wider community. 

The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 500P Fully Automatic Defibrillator (RRP: £1,557.60 inc. VAT)

  • Ready to Shock: Small, portable and lightweight (2.4 lbs) and offers the highest level of protection against dust and water.
  • Easy-to-Follow Instructions: Easy-to-understand visual and voice prompts guide the rescuer through the entire resuscitation process, including CPR—a key link in the chain of survival. 
  • Simple, two-button operation – an ON/OFF button and SHOCK.
  • After analyzing heart rhythm, the unit will automatically deliver a shock (if needed), eliminating the need for the rescuer to push a shock button.
  • Always Ready: A System Status Ready Indicator flashes to show that the complete system is operational and ready for use.
  • Self-check: The device automatically runs a self-check each week.
  • View full product info here

Conditions

  • The AED’s are being offered FREE OF CHARGE to ten Scottish Men’s Sheds however, as they are not new, they will require new pads/electrode batteries (which will last for four years) at a cost to each individual Shed of £117.60.  
  • St Andrews First Aid advise that these defibrillators are accessible to the public 24/7 outdoors and are placed in cabinets (available at a discounted cost of £540 inc.VAT for Sheds through St Andrew’s First Aid), however, if this is not possible, they are still happy to donate them to Scottish Sheds.
  • Interested Sheds will pay a delivery charge for the equipment.


Register your interest

Please register your Men’s Shed’s interest by submitting your details online at the link below.  Defibrillators will be issued to ten SMSA Shed members on a first-come, first-served basis.