SMSA News – Page 11 – Scottish Menshed

Charity partnership gifts guitar to young budding musician

Josephine Young (16) receives her guitar prize from the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association and 12 Guitars (Photo by George Munro, Greenock Telegraph)

A charity partnership, with the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) and 12 Guitars, is supporting a young budding musician through a spectacular guitar giveaway.

Social enterprise 12Guitars.org has been working in partnership with the SMSA to reach Men’s Shed members to learn new skills, help communities through a musical boost and provide fun challenging musical events. 12 Guitars receives donated guitars for recycling and upcycling from a variety of sources across the country and gifts them to people who cannot afford or who may not have access to a guitar. The social enterprise also provides guitar tuition, physically and online, and also have workshop facilities to service, repair and restring donated guitars.

SMSA Chairman, David Gardner, originally won the high-quality electro-acoustic guitar at a recent Men’s Wellbeing Day on Zoom at which 12 guitars was a guest presenter. David said: “I was extremely grateful to win this exceptional guitar however, after discussing it with Ken Morton of 12 Guitars, I wanted to pass this excellent prize on to help an upcoming young musician fulfil their dreams and explore their talent.”

Josephine Young, 16, was selected by David as the worthy winner. Josephine’s mother, Nicola Young, who nominated her daughter for the competition said: “Jo has just passed her National 5 Music as an additional subject over and above her allocated subjects at school. She plays piano at grade 6 level and practices every chance she gets. Before lockdown, she was also volunteering and playing piano to entertain older people at a local nursing home.

“Jo saved up her pocket money and bartered to buy an old guitar for £6 at our local charity shop and has been teaching herself to play. She is a kind, hard-working, girl and it is an absolute dream for her to now play and own such a beautiful instrument as this.”

Josephine said: “I was so surprised to hear that I had won as I did not even know that my mum had entered my name into the competition. I am totally blown away to win such an amazing guitar and can’t wait to start playing.”

Ken Morton of 12 Guitars said: “12 Guitars is proud to be working with the SMSA to find good causes where guitars can be donated to young people and others in our society who need a boost and who really want to learn to play guitar. There are so many benefits to learning to play. David Gardner has generously donated this beautiful prize to Josephine and we applaud that decision wholeheartedly.”

New format for Sheds applying to the Scottish Community Alliance’s Learning Exchange grant program

Shed members of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) qualify to apply for accommodation and travel costs, to share ideas and learn from other Men’s Sheds across Scotland, through its membership agreement with the Scottish Community Alliance’s Learning Exchange grant program.

The Community Learning Exchange is a fantastic opportunity for communities to learn through the exchange of ideas and the sharing of common solutions. When community groups make visits to other communities, the most valuable part is often meeting new people with similar interests and gaining new insights and perspectives on shared challenges. Visiting groups come away armed with new ideas and approaches, and host organisations have the opportunity to explain their project to a new and interested audience, often seeing their own projects afresh through new eyes.

Changes to the application process

The Scottish Community Alliance (SCA) has announced some changes to the way applications to the Community Learning Exchange are processed. The new protocol for this grant funding asks for interested parties to now make contact directly with their SCA member network—in terms of Scottish Men’s Sheds, this is the SMSA—in advance of applying to ensure that the network has knowledge of the application and is willing to endorse it.

The SMSA will then automatically receive an email when the application has been received by the SCA. Once the application is approved, the SMSA will then receive a Grant Acceptance Form to countersign to provide evidence of its endorsement of the grant.

What will the Exchange fund for SMSA member Sheds?

Community to community visits—up to 100% of the travel and accommodation costs of a visit by members of one community to another community project up to a limit of £750. For more information on the Community Learning Exchange, please click here.

Interested?

Interested SMSA Shed members should make contact with the SMSA in the first instance at admin@scottishmsa.org.uk or call 07465 202834.

EVENT: Men’s Sheds Research Showcase and Launch of the Men’s Shed Toolkit for UK & Ireland

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

This Zoom event is the final showcase of Glasgow Caledonian University’s (GCU) Sheds for Sustainable Development Project findings and the official launch of the UK and Ireland Men’s Shed Toolkit.

Register today to attend this exciting event showcasing the findings of the four-year GCU ‘Sheds for Sustainable Development Project’, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, and the official launch of the first-ever Men’s Shed Toolkit for the UK and Ireland.

Join Shedders, Shed support agencies, practitioners, policymakers and academics for this one-off event – bringing everyone together in support of the Men’s Shed Movement.

The event will include:

An overview of key project findings on what Men’s Sheds need to sustain and develop and the health and wellbeing impacts of Shed activities on their users
Special guest speakers from across the UK and Ireland
The official launch of the first-ever UK and Ireland Men’s Shed toolkit – a one stop-shop for all your Shedding needs

Briefing Report: How Men’s Sheds are addressing male social isolation and loneliness

The latest briefing report from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Sheds for Sustainable Development Project on how Men’s Sheds are addressing social isolation and loneliness is now available to download from the SMSA website.

Men’s Sheds in the UK have been highlighted for the impact they can have on men’s social wellbeing but less is known about their ability to address social isolation and loneliness, especially among retired and unemployed men.

This report outlines findings from in-depth interviews with 62 Men’s Shed members from five Scottish Sheds, exploring the ways in which Shed activities address risk factors for male social isolation and loneliness.

The findings suggest that Men’s Sheds offer a range of activities that are conducive to meeting new people and forming social networks where this had been previously lacking. In particular, Sheds were found to be beneficial to those who were socially isolated due to retirement or living alone.

Although Sheds are not a formal healthcare service, there is potential for partnership working with policymakers and practitioners through models such as social prescribing or signposting.

The study also explores the role Sheds could take in post-COVID-19 recovery.

Dr Danielle Hutcheon (nee Kelly)
Glasgow Caledonian University

Has your Shed entered a team for the Royal Deeside Cartie Race 2021 yet?

Cumnock Shedders rev up for cartie race

Cumnock Men’s Shed is gearing up for this year’s Royal Deeside Cartie Race 2021 on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July 2021 on the Kincardine Castle drive.

Fraser Stone from the Corra Foundation who is helping to develop the Cumnock and District Men’s Shed said: “This project is sponsored by Barr Environmental and supported by the Corra Foundation and Shire Housing. A few weeks ago, we had no Shed, no team and no idea where to start with the cart design and build. The good news is, the stars are aligning, and things are beginning to really take shape.

“There have been some great moments of intergenerational working in our team, with both welding and engineering skills and knowledge being shared between members. The cartie frame began life as an old sit-on lawnmower which has been stripped down and adjusted to suit our needs. It even features a unique ‘Tennents Larger’ tin element in the front wheel system….a first, I am sure.

“Our build sessions are a little like ‘free Jazz’ and we are enjoying improvising and having fun exploring this year’s caped crusader theme. All will be revealed on the day!

“We are bursting with determination…picture the classic film Cool Runnings but instead of the first Jamaican Bobsleigh team, you have the very first Cumnock Cartie team! See you in July…bring it on!”

Has your Shed entered a team yet? Last chance to register!

To encourage Sheds to enter and attend one race day or even both days, the SMSA—who will have an exhibition at the two-day event—has negotiated the team entry fee down from £45 to £25 but will also reimburse this £25 to all Sheds that race—meaning it is now completely free to enter! FREE ENTRY FOR SCOTTISH SHEDS – APPLY BY THE 3RD JULY.

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

Funding still available for Scottish Men’s Sheds affected by the pandemic

Apply to the SMSA by the end of June 2021!

PLEASE NOTE: THIS FUND IS NOW CLOSED

Has your Shed suffered financially due to the pandemic?
Are you struggling to pay your bills (rent, energy, insurance etc)?
Is your Shed facing permanent closure?
Are there costs that are stopping you from reopening?
Do you require vital training or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to reopen your doors?

Then, apply to the SMSA today for this emergency funding – secured by the Association from the Scottish Government to help Sheds in crisis as a result of the pandemic.

Funds still remain and this really is the last opportunity to apply for this pot of funds (by midnight on Wednesday 30^th June 2021).

Scottish Sheds can apply by completing the short online form at the link below.

If you have any queries, please contact Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer.

Last chance to apply for Pathfindr Safe Distancing Assistants

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has so far allocated over 700 FREE Pathfindr Safe Distancing Assistants to 75 Men’s Sheds across Scotland – to support safe social engagement and Shed re-openings – but time is running out if your Shed has not yet applied.

Following a successful trial with ten Scottish Men’s Sheds in Autumn 2020, the SMSA secured a £60,000 Scottish Government grant for the roll-out of Pathfindr Safe Distancing Assistants to all 190+ Scottish Sheds and to complement the Association’s COVID-19 reopening guidance and Shed support.

This technology is supporting post COVID-19 recovery across the business sector and our Scottish Men’s Sheds. This simple, but highly effective, piece of kit can be worn around the neck or clipped on to clothing and emits a short audible or vibrating alert when another wearer is detected within 2 metres, advising both wearers to check and increase their distance. The range can be changed from its pre-configured 2m, as a result of revisions to the legislation. There is no complicated set up, no software to install and no training is required.

If you have not already applied to the SMSA, we urge you to apply for this FREE support offer before the end of June 2021 when this funding will no longer be available.

There is no minimum or maximum amount of devices you can request, simply let us know how many you require for your Shedders and the devices will be posted out to you, it is as simple as that.

Feeback from Sheds

“We are in the second week of cleaning/sanitising our Shed utilising the distancing units supplied by the Association. The units have been highly successful in reminding the volunteer members to maintain their social distancing.” Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed

“The Pathfindr devices are a much-welcomed safety device for our Shedders.
They constantly remind us to check our distance and avoid those awkward conversations of letting someone know they are getting too close.” Men’s Shed Govan

“Following our request to the SMSA, our Shedders received Pathfindr Safe Distancing Assistants in time to wear for a recent site clearance. The devices gave us confidence and ensured that we kept the required two-metre distance apart and were a welcomed health and safety tool.” Carluke Men’s Shed

Case study: Men’s Shed

Are your Shed details up-to-date on the map?

With Sheds reopening across Scotland, Sheds are going to be needed now more than ever to support men’s health and wellbeing.

The SMSA ‘Find a Shed’ online map receives thousands of hits each month from potential Shedders and their family and friends searching for their local Shed in addition to individuals, businesses and funders looking to work in partnership and/or donate materials, funds and items to Sheds.

The map is also one of the first ports of call for the SMSA team to direct any enquiries therefore it is imperative that your Shed’s details are kept up-to-date on a regular basis in regard to your group’s name, address, contact details, opening times and current status (e.g. proposed group, developing group, open Shed or closed down Shed).

The SMSA is planning a promotional drive in the near future to reach more men and encourage them to attend their local Shed in post-COVID-19 recovery and urge you to check and, if needed, update your Shed’s entry.

For General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) reasons, the SMSA is unable to update this information on your behalf. It is the responsibility of each individual Shed to submit your updates online, giving your consent, in order for the SMSA to manually publish this information in the public domain.

Visit www.scottishmsa.org.uk/find-a-shed to check/update your details today.

The SMSA’s Great Guitar Giveaway!

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

SMSA Chairman, David Gardner, is offering the chance for a budding young musician to win a dream guitar—a Washburn Festival EA10 Acoustic/Electric guitar in excellent condition.

David said: “I recently attended a Men’s Wellbeing Day organised by North Ayrshire Council, Garnock Valley Men’s Shed and The Three Towns Men’s Shed and one of the presentations on the day was delivered by Ken Morton and Gerry Thororgood of 12 Guitars.

“The charity aims to make guitar playing accessible to all young people and before their presentation began, they announced that they wanted to put the names of all of the attendees in a hat and the lucky winner drawn would receive a guitar.

“So, you can perhaps imagine my surprise at my name being called. All attendees declared it a fair draw and insisted that I should accept the guitar.

“Having now received it, and spoken with Ken, it is my intention to make this exceptional guitar available to a deserving young person, here in Scotland, and I am asking for the assistance of Sheds to identify the ideal individual to receive this fantastic prize.

“12 Guitars is a worthwhile social enterprise determined to help upcoming young musicians fulfil their dreams and explore their talent and I personally thank them for their kind donation and wish them all the success.”

Scottish Men’s Sheds honoured with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Two Scottish Men’s Sheds have been announced as winners of this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) – the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK in recognition of their outstanding and diverse work to benefit their communities.

Today’s announcement, which coincides with Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), celebrates Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed and Westhill and District Men’s Shed receiving this prestigious award.

The number of nominations remains high year on year – evidencing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them – and the Sheds were two out of 241 UK charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive this accolade in 2021.

Representatives from the two Sheds will receive the award crystal and certificate in addition to attending a garden party at Holyroodhouse Palace in July 2022 (depending on restrictions at the time) along with other award recipients.

Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed

Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed (ADMS), ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2019, began in 2016 when its Shedders took over an area of derelict land from Aberdeenshire Council. The early months of their existence focused on clearing the ground and creating a Shed from portable cabins.

Subsequently, they have grown significantly over the years and provide an opportunity for men to meet socially, make connections, utilise existing skills, learn new skills, mentor others and serve the community. ADMS provides a facility for wood and metal working; computing classes; volunteers for local events (e.g. stewarding at the Ride of the North cycle event); greenhouse and gardening; repairs to community assets; community projects for the local school (e.g. making a chicken coop and mud kitchen for the pupils); support for other community groups (e.g. construction of a memorial bench for the Beavers and teaching the Scouts skills to build a Kart); and supports its Community Association whenever needed (e.g. providing power for the Christmas tree lights).

ADMS Chairman, Mike O’Brien, said: “It is a great honour to be awarded the prestigious QAVS. Our members are immensely proud and delighted that our villagers recognise the efforts we have made to create a safe and friendly environment where men can meet to make (and mend), talk, put the world to rights, drink coffee and help to foster a community spirit. Nominating our Shed, particularly during lockdown, highlights the exceptional relationship the Shed has with the Aberchirder and District community.”

Andrew Simpson, Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, said: “I am delighted that Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed has been recognised in this way. The Shed has made a significant difference to the lives of people in their community – not least during the period of the pandemic. During our assessment visits we were impressed by their commitment to serving the people in their area.”

Westhill and District Men’s Shed

Westhill and District Men’s Shed (WDMS), the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland, is a place where men can meet to socialise and work together on a wide variety of projects and hobbies.

Using their well-equipped workshop, men of all ages, backgrounds and interests share their skills working on personal and community projects. It is a unique place where men can socialise and satisfy their wish to be productive and, in turn, improve their health and wellbeing.

Shedders work together on a variety of projects. The members created the Archie bench at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and its modelling group is currently working on a model of the Peterhead Prison Railway (pictured above) which will be on display in the Peterhead Prison Museum. WDMS repairs, re-furbishes and recycles garden equipment (from spades to mowers) giving them a new lease of life. The Shed also carries out various community projects including making benches, raised beds etc. for local charities, schools and groups.

WDMS received the QAVS with ‘special recognition’ for its production of vital personal protective equipment (face visors) for keyworkers in the early days of the pandemic when there was a global shortage.

WDMS Chairman, David Thomson, said: “It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award. Our Shed is an ideal place where men can go and get the benefit of socialising, sharing interests, exchanging experiences, learning new skills and working side by side with other men. This award recognises the commitment of our members, who are all volunteers, for the work they do on a variety of projects for the local community”

Check out WDMS’s video – which went live today – on their YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/video/TZGepldvEQQ

Jason Schroeder, Executive Officer of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association, said: “Today’s announcement recognises the outstanding contributions these Sheds have made in their local communities. This is a wonderful tribute to these men – as volunteers – for all of their hard work, commitment and dedication to support each other whilst also making a real difference in today’s society.”

The QAVS was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and recipients are announced each year on the 2nd June – the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including an inclusive tennis club in Lincolnshire; a children’s bereavement charity in London; a support group for those living with dementia and their carers in North Yorkshire; a volunteer minibus service in Cumbria; a group supporting young people in Belfast; a community radio station in Inverness and a mountain rescue team in Powys.