As part of the Scottish Government’s winter package funding to tackle social isolation and loneliness, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has secured vital funds to support Men’s Sheds in crisis in Scotland.
The £30,000 emergency pot will assist Sheds, most severely affected by the pandemic, that are struggling with financial pressures and/or facing closure to ensure they are still here to support Shedders when they are able to safely open their doors once again.
Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer, said: “SMSA is delighted to have secured this crisis grant funding for Scottish Men’s Sheds through the Scottish Government. Covid-19 forced our Sheds to close temporarily, calling a halt to much of their fundraising activities and this is impacting heavily on their income generation. This fund will support new and existing Sheds, large and small, to cover core running costs to offset this lost income. We will aim to help those Sheds in crisis to give them the peace of mind to ensure they are still here in the future when Sheds will be needed most.
“A huge area of concern is how this pandemic has impacted on people’s health and wellbeing and we need to ensure the survival of our Sheds for when men can attend them again, hopefully in the spring time. This funding has the potential to do so much good. We will strive to stretch it as far and wide as we can to prevent any closures.”
The fund is now open for SMSA Shed Members (click here to join for free) to apply online through the Association. Sheds can apply for core running costs (e.g. rent, heat and light, insurance etc) to keep them open in the upcoming months. Priority will be made to Sheds with an unrestricted funds bank balance of less than £1,000.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) – in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support – wants to hear from Shedders that have cancer, have had cancer or who are supporting or caring for someone with cancer.
Cancer doesn’t just affect the person; it also affects family members, friends, carers and communities. A life-changing diagnosis can influence relationships, finances, careers and emotions. Men’s Sheds offer an empowering place for men to come together voluntarily to make friends, re-engage with purpose, enjoy healthy lives and even learn new skills. Even though Sheds are temporarily closed, due to Covid-19 restrictions, these strong connections with fellow Shedders are still being maintained.
SMSA is looking to bring together a group of men willing to meet online to share their cancer experiences and stories. What helped most? What were the challenges/barriers? What type of cancer? What was missing on your journey? What improvements could have been made? All these real-life experiences, from a male perspective, will assist SMSA to develop effective resources and ultimately, save lives.
This invaluable information will be used to produce health-focused information leaflets and a series of animations for Men’s Sheds across Scotland to support men going through this journey. The aim of this project is to raise awareness of the impact cancer has in men’s lives (of all ages) and to encourage more men to be aware of it earlier on. The Shed is the perfect place for these conversations and for the knowledge to be shared.
Interested?
Please contact Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, by email or call 07397382533.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has released a Covid-19 poster resource pack for Men’s Sheds in Scotland.
The Association is still advising Men’s Sheds to remain closed however, this resource pack – currently containing 30 individual posters with colour or white background options – will allow Sheds to print off and prominently display the posters that they require for their Shed premises to prepare in advance.
The SMSA is in ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government regarding the closure of Sheds and the health and safety of Shedders during the pandemic. SMSA is currently working on the guidance (including risk assessment) for Sheds which will be issued at the appropriate time in line with Scottish Government guidance.
If you have suggestions for more posters required at your Shed premises, please contact SMSA’s Communication Officer and the pack will be revised for all.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association visited Foggie/Aberchirder & District Men Shed today (24th September 2020) to collect the Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ targe trophy ready to handover to 2020 winner, The Inverclyde Shed.
ADMS was delighted to receive their replica trophy (created by David Young Training) to forever recognise them as the inaugural winner of the prestigious title in 2019.
The public has voted and—after 1,579 votes and a very close race—The Inverclyde Shed has been crowned Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020 by the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA).
It was neck and neck between the three shortlisted Sheds as the public voted online for their winner from Garnock Valley Men’s Shed, The Inverclyde Shed and Kinross & District Men’s Shed.
The Inverclyde Shed was announced as the winner—receiving 573 (36%) of the votes—at the SMSA AGM & ’Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2020 on Wednesday 16th September on Zoom. Garnock Valley Men’s Shed came a close second with 511 votes and Kinross & District Men’s Shed was the second runner-up with 495.
Chairman of The Inverclyde Shed, Bruce Newlands, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award and title. This shows a huge vote of confidence that there are really good people doing some really great things here in Inverclyde!
“It was encouraging to hear Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed share what they have gained from winning the SMSA award last year and we hope to be just as successful. We plan to really maximise the potential of this opportunity to further promote ourselves in our local community, and with funders, to expand our offering and attract more men along to our Sheds.
“It must be recognised that, although this is a competition, there is absolutely no rivalry with our fellow Men’s Sheds. Sheds are all at different stages and sizes and we have only been inspired, encouraged and supported by other Sheds to implement activities and ideas that have worked for them. We invested in a 3D printer after hearing about Kinross & District Men’s Shed creating face visors for frontline workers and launched a carving club after hearing about the success of the modellers’ club offering at Garnock Valley Men’s Shed. This award showcases the great work being carried out by Sheds across Scotland so we can share knowledge and ideas to improve the health and wellbeing of the men in our communities.”
The Inverclyde Shed was formally constituted in January 2018, offering a safe place for men to make friends, learn new skills and mentor others at its first 700sqft Shed at Captain Street in Greenock. The charity has grown from strength to strength and now has a board of six from a cohort of 45 active voting members and almost 500 associate members. The Shed expanded its offering to include a second 700sqft workshop space by mid-2019.
In March 2019, the Shed successfully secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to cover rent for the next five years. In August 2019, the Shedders took on the management of a community garden space in Gourock and were successful with a Community Asset Transfer – 25-year low cost lease request – for a 4,000sqft industrial unit in Greenock in March 2020. Renovation is targeted to start in May 2021 subject to success with the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The charity has also recently been able to open a smaller Shed focused on digital fabrication/distance working in Gourock, partly as a response to Covid-19 but also to attract a younger demographic.
The three finalists each received a cash prize from the SMSA; free or discounted Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from partner, David Young Training; and a year’s free Shed accounts package from Thyme Accountants to support the Shed Treasurer. The winner also received the esteemed targe trophy and a £100 voucher from partner, Axminster Tools & Machinery.
Last year’s winner, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed (ADMS), will hand over the esteemed targe trophy at a physically-distanced handover in the near future. ADMS has been busy in lockdown designing and producing a unique stand for the trophy to be passed on to this year’s winner. ADMS received a surprise at the online awards event when they were shown a replica of the trophy, created by David Young Training, to display in their Shed to forever recognise them as the Awards’ inaugural winner.
The publication features reports from the SMSA Chairman and Executive Officer; key highlights from the reporting period; future plans; and the financial statements.
*VOTING CLOSED AT MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2020*
It is time for the public to have their say on who will be crowned this year’s Scottish ‘Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2020.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has today announced the top three Men’s Sheds shortlisted for this prestigious award that recognises and rewards the contribution and impact Men’s Sheds make to society.
Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer, said: “The applications were of an incredibly high standard and it was certainly a difficult decision for our judging panel. The awards not only showcase the Sheds for the fantastic work that they do but also promotes good practice and inspires other men to set up new Men’s Sheds across Scotland where there is a need.
“It has been great to read about all the life-changing activities taking place in the Sheds but this year’s applications have also highlighted the Covid-19 support that Shedders have provided in their communities and also how they stayed connected to each other during these unprecedented times. The public has a week to vote to crown their winner and truly recognise and reward the impact Sheds have in their localities.”
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the awards event will take place virtually on Zoom this year and will coincide with the Association’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 16th September 2019.
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 Sheds – to display at their Shed for a year – on top of a cash prize.
Other prizes include a free machine competency and woodwork training day from David Young Training (plus runner up discounts with a collective value of over £1,000); accounts packages from Thyme Accountancy (worth over £500) and a gift voucher from Axminster Tools & Machinery.
National Shed Network Meeting Wednesday 26th August 2020, 10am to 12.30pm on Zoom
**THIS EVENT HAS NOW PASSED AND WAS FULLY SUBSCRIBED**
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), in conjunction with Age Scotland, held its first National Shed Network meeting online (through Zoom) to share all our findings from regional Shed meetings; the latest Shed guidance from the Scottish Government; what’s happening in other countries with Sheds; the future reopening of Scottish Men’s Sheds and hear your thoughts on it all.
SMSA’s Executive Officer, Jason Schroeder, and Age Scotland’s Community Development Officer (Men’s Sheds), Tim Green, facilitated this online meeting on the day.
