Today (Tuesday 17th January 2023), Liam McArthur MSP has written a letter (shown below) – co-signed by 40 cross party MSP’s – to the Deputy First Minister John Swinney calling for a rethink of the decision not to award core and development funding to the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) in the draft budget published last month.
The MSP’s are asking the Deputy First Minister to revisit the funding to the SMSA so that it can continue to support and expand the network of men’s sheds across Scotland, helping tackle social isolation and making a positive impact to improving men’s health.
The SMSA will keep members informed of the response.
Christmas has come early for Scottish Men’s Sheds as the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) and its partner, Axminster, announce that the market leader in the mail order tools and machinery industry will double its discount to SMSA Shed Members from 5% to 10%.
In order to access these savings, Shed members are required to contact a member of the SMSA Team (Michelle Wibrew, Communications Officer or Jason Schroeder, CEO) in the first instance to advise that your Shed wishes to set up an exclusive SMSA/Axminster account. The SMSA will then provide you with a link to the online application form.
Once the application is submitted and approved, the Axminster team will then create a new account record for the applying Shed and assign the discount which entitles most purchases through the Shed to the 10% discount.
PLEASE NOTE:Existing Shed account holders do not need to re-apply and the discount will be allocated to your account already.
Products that are already on promotion are excluded from the discount and there are also a couple of exceptions including branded power tools: Bosch; Makita; Festool; and DeWalt.
The discount applies to the ‘Shed’ rather than ‘Shedders’ however if the Shed is happy to manage orders from its members, then those orders can be placed through the Shed account. So, your members can benefit too even if they are not buying directly for the Shed.
The SMSA aims to support and inspire Scottish Men’s Shed to sustainability and hope that this increased discount will save you money when buying new or replacing machines from one of the UK’s biggest tool providers.
Men’s health animation promotes keeping the ‘three nuts’ healthy
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has launched the second in a series of men’s health animations with the latest encouraging men to keep a check on their ‘three nuts’ and to take quick action if they experience any changes.
The three-minute animation entitled ‘The Three Amigos’ focuses in on men’s sex lives and toilet habits to draw attention to possible health issues men can experience like the changes in the hidden ‘third nut’, the prostate gland, which is usually the size and shape of a walnut inside the body.
The prostate can enlarge as we get older causing peeing habits to change and can also become cancerous. The characters and theme aim to attract men of all ages to watch and learn in an educational, entertaining and informal way. The animation features different thematic scenes as the organs have their own very unique characters, ‘The Three Amigos’, medical information and the benefits of attending a Scottish Men’s Shed.
SMSA Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jason Schroeder said: “We are extremely proud of how the national association has a targeted educational health element to the services we provide and how we work in co-production with our partners to promote their specialised services. We also worked with various Scottish Shedders who had experienced prostate cancer and Prostate Scotland who deliver awareness raising presentations in the Sheds. We were very lucky to get the famous and much-loved Scottish actor Ron Emslie while he was performing the one man show, Man Shed at the Edinburgh Fringe to do the voice over which is so important in this type of media.
“Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and as we age, the risk of developing this type of cancer increases significantly however it can also still affect younger men too. Through this latest short film, we aim to raise awareness of the symptoms for men to look out for and to talk to their GP’s, fellow Shed members and nearest and dearest, and to not suffer in silence which can often be the case with some men.
“The Men’s Shed environment is a welcoming and friendly place where men come together socially and feel safe enough to have these conversations amongst themselves. Shed members will often find that there are other men who have been through the same journey as them and can offer unique and invaluable advice and support. Early detection is key and this is one of the most successfully treatable cancers. Through this film, we aim to educate and inform, encourage men to talk and reach out for support and ultimately, save lives.”
Luxury homebuilder Bancon Homes today (Thursday 8th December 2022) announces that it has formalised its partnership with the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA). As part of the arrangement, the company will provide one year of rent-free accommodation for the SMSA’s headquarters at the Banchory Business Centre where it has resided since 2016.
Allan Clow, Managing Director of Bancon Homes, with SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder
A registered Scottish charity, the SMSA is the national association providing support and resources to 200+ Men’s Shed groups across Scotland. Its sole focus is to inspire and support men over the age of 18 with time on their hands to become engaged, in a healthy way, by voluntarily creating their own Men’s Sheds in their local communities across Scotland. The Association provides practical help, information and advice for Shedders throughout their journey from the initial seed of an idea to the running of a successful and sustainable Men’s Shed.
Allan Clow, Managing Director of Bancon Homes said: “Providing a home for people is what we do so we are delighted to support this incredible charity, ensuring they retain their office space and are able to deliver their important services. Men’s Sheds build communities and create an environment for people to come together and this in turn, reduces social isolation and loneliness and that too is our vision for our developments and the communities we work within.”
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Chief Executive, said: “Bancon has always been extremely supportive of the SMSA and our work to support Men’s Sheds across Scotland and we are delighted with this charitable act to reduce the running costs of the charity.
“This means even more during an extremely difficult time when many charities like us are struggling with the current cost of living crisis and all applying for the same pots of grant funding out there whilst trying to recover from a pandemic and still deliver services. This extremely kind gesture provides our charity with the foundation to remain open to support this fast-paced grassroots movement that exists to improve the health and wellbeing of men and support their communities.”
Established more than 40 years ago, luxury homebuilder Bancon Homes is part of the Bancon Group. It currently has developments in Aberdeen, Banchory, Strathaven and Mintlaw and has an exceptional reputation for the quality of its workmanship and its design led approach. This year the company was a finalist in three categories of The Scottish Home Awards, two for its Aden Meadows development in Mintlaw and one for The Reserve at Eden in Aberdeen. In 2021 the company was also nominated as a finalist in three categories, two for its Lochside of Leys development in Banchory and one for the Housebuilder of the Year (less than 100 units).
Excellent customer service is at the heart of the company’s ethos and for the past five years Bancon Homes has won one of the building industry’s highest accolades for customer service, The In-House Gold Award for Customer Satisfaction. In addition to this, the company was given an Outstanding Award for the fourth year in a row, placing it in the top 10% of companies measured. These awards are directly influenced by home buyers and their level of customer satisfaction.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is today announcing the winner of the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2022 as Men’s Shed Govan.
The awards event capped off weeks of public voting for three worthy finalists – Inverurie & District Men’s Shed, Lanark Men’s Shed and Men’s Shed Govan – as they battled it out to get their communities and supporters behind them to cast those all-important votes.
With over 200 open or developing Men’s Shed groups now in existence across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, Men’s Shed Govan was unveiled as the winner – live by the SMSA at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 6th December 2022. Inverurie & District Men’s Shed then pipped Lanark Men’s Shed to the post to claim second place.
Commenting on the award, Men’s Shed Govan Chairman Martin Haddow, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award. We have purposefully offered a wide and varied range of activities to meet our members’ needs – after all, not everyone likes woodwork and that is not the be all and end of Men’s Sheds. There is such a strong sense of camaraderie and the Shed has improved the quality of lives of its members by giving them a purpose, people to talk to and things to try and do. We are extremely proud to have turned a previously derelict nursery and undeveloped outdoor space that was being used as a dumping ground into a vital resource for our community that is hugely benefitting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of 70+ members.”
Men’s Shed Govan, which became a Scottish charity in January 2018, has a strong ‘make it, build it, grow it’ ethos with activities on offer including arts and crafts, photography, music, model railway, cooking/baking, bike repairs, woodworking and growing vegetables and herbs in their raised beds and polytunnel in the Shed garden and nearby allotments. Their events over the years include art classes, Tai Chi, wicker craft, community fairs, musical events, quiz nights, author talks and day trips to name but a few.
Award-winning practice nurse Sarah Everett, who won the Royal College of Nursing Institute Patients Choice Award for UK and the Glasgow Times Community Champion Award in 2019, set up the Shed when she saw an unmet need in Govan. Interested members came together to refurbish a derelict ex-nursery into their new Shed premises. Sarah began offering health checks to members on a voluntary basis and she also gave advice on long-term conditions.
The Shedders are encouraged to keep fit through the use of their exercise room and plan to start outdoor walks and cycle rides. The Shed hosts healthy talks on topics such as prostate cancer, bowel cancer, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening and First Aid and has created partnerships and worked on projects for local schools and hospices. The Shed also offers a garden tidy service for older people and provides produce from its allotment and polytunnel to a local food poverty project, Moogety Community Meals.
Following the tragic death of one of their Shedders’ family members, George Benson, the Shed understood that he could have survived if there had been a defibrillator nearby. Making it their mission to secure this life-saving kit, the Shed organised a sponsored 12-hour Exercise-a-thon, where they worked as a team to use their exercise bike, treadmill and cross-trainer in relay for a constant 12-hour period – raising £1,645 towards the cause. The local church then raised £375 through their congregation to hit the target to install a defibrillator for use to the general public 24 hours a day.
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Chief Executive Officer, said: “The purpose of the awards is two-fold – we unite to recognise and celebrate the often-unsung contributions made by Men’s Sheds and the men, who are all volunteers, that attend them. Additionally, the awards exist to break down the perceptions that Sheds are just for older, retired men, that want to tinker in the workshop. They are so much more than that and Men’s Shed Govan certainly highlights this. Each of the Men’s Sheds groups across Scotland is unique in that the activities it offers is led by the members’ needs to benefit the health and wellbeing of all local men aged 18 or over.
“For the awards this year, we received the largest number of applications and public votes to date and it is fantastic to see the public rally together to support a vital resource in their communities.”
Men’s Shed Govan will now receive the esteemed SMSA targe trophy – created and designed by former SMSA Chairman Derek Keiller and several Men’s Shed members – engraved with the Shed name and displayed in a unique stand designed and produced by inaugural winner, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed. The two runners up will also receive a replica of the trophy, created by David Young Training, to be displayed in their Sheds to recognise them as 2022 finalists.
The winner and runners-up also receive a range of prizes from the SMSA and their partners and sponsors. The winner and runners-up also receive a range of prizes from the SMSA and their partners and sponsors. Men’s Shed Govan receives over £2,300 of prizes to support their Shed including a £500 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; a £400 cabinet tool kit from Cromwell; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Trainingworth £660; a year’s free Shed accounts package fromThyme Accountantsworth £360 to support the Shed Treasurer; and goodies from Scottish shortbread maker, Dean’s of Huntly.
Men’s Shed Govan is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am – 2pm. All welcome. For more information, please visit www.mensshedgovan.online.
The SMSA is reaching out to its members and the public to ask them to support its petition which will be sent to the First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister for Scotland John Swinney.
This is a call for action for the Scottish Government to reverse their decision to stop core funding of the national association and a proposed start-up and development fund for Scottish Men’s Sheds like our counterparts benefit from in Australia and Ireland.
We also urge you to please share this petition far and wide with family, friends and fellow supporters of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland through word of mouth, meetings and through your social media accounts.
The SMSA also urges Scottish Men’s Sheds to contact their MSP’s and send them a letter or use our template letter to raise awareness of this campaign.
What is the petition all about?
In a post-pandemic world, when reducing social isolation and loneliness and reconnecting with our communities once again is paramount, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is making a call for action for the government to continue to financially support the national hub of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement and men’s health and wellbeing.
The SMSA was formed in 2014 to create a new national health movement for men which did not previously exist in Scotland and share their unique Men’s Shed development pathway strategy to new groups. Since 2016, the Association has expanded into: Shed-specific tailored information such as policies and constitutions; mediation support; consultation with a hard-to-reach group; promotion of the work of the sector; discounts from SMSA partners for Sheds to reduce costs; sustainability strategy advice; co-production for the voice of men’s health in a variety of sectors and Cross-Party groups; and a national membership programme for its Shed Members and 3,000+ Individual Members.
The SMSA’s initial start-up funding was received from the Scottish Government in 2016 but unlike the successful developmental statutory support of the Australian and Irish governments for their respective Men’s Shed movements, ours has been reduced over the years and now stopped.
We have been successful in attracting other funders in recent years to cover this shortfall however require statutory funding as the demand for services and support increases immensely. Despite a meeting with Scottish Government where the SMSA Chief Executive, SMSA Chairman and SMSA Patron, Sir Harry Burns (the former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland) appealed for increased support for the charity and the movement, the decision was unfortunately made in February 2022 by three Ministers (proposed new trilateral funding strategy) to rather stop all statutory funding to the SMSA going forward in 2023.
Now is not the time to abandon and disinvest in this successful men’s health movement that is voluntarily engaging with and reaching men and changing and saving lives. These volunteers need our support now more than ever as evidenced by the ever-increasing growth in our membership.
As we near the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the first Men’s Shed in Scotland, we now celebrate over 200 open and developing Men’s Sheds groups across Scotland (in all 32 local authority areas) reaching and supporting 10,000+ men aged 18 or over. This year, we also welcomed the completion and findings of our four-year partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University’s research (£150,000) – Sheds for Sustainable Development Project.
Our three-year development plans (2023-2026) have taken into account this research and core statutory developmental funding is required if the movement is to not only continue to grow but remain sustainable for its volunteers and their health and wellbeing. We strongly believe that the current number of Men’s Sheds in Scotland (202) has only reached just under half (45%) of what it could be.
We, the undersigned, ask the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Scotland to take action to ensure the SMSA has the core funding required to meet the needs of this thriving men’s health movement in Scotland and to create a start-up and development fund, as per our manifesto, to offer to new and existing Men’s Sheds across the nation.
Why is it important?
With an alarming rise in suicide amongst Scottish men – 75% of the people who died by suicide in Scotland last year were male – and with already-stretched resources and reduced funding as demand for our services increases, the SMSA is lobbying for a directional change to ensure the charity is around to support future generations of Shedders and keep the spotlight on men’s health. The SMSA pledges to continue making a real difference by empowering thousands of men (our sons, brothers, fathers, uncles and grandfathers) and their communities – over the coming years – to play their part in a system change towards a wellbeing economy.
By trailblazing this male health movement as we have from the beginning, we strive for social change to ultimately secure its future growth and the national statutory investment it rightly deserves.
Kinross and District Men’s Shed’s Chairman David Conner said: “The SMSA has been a wonderful support and a great centre of information and advice. Without the SMSA, it is safe to say, we and some other local Sheds would not exist without their help steering us in the right direction—through the obstacles and bureaucracy that is thrown at you especially when starting something new— and enabling us to become self-sufficient.”
Leading Scottish community retailer Scotmid has teamed up with the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) to promote what Men’s Sheds have to offer and mark International Men’s Day this year in participating stores.
International Men’s Day is a global holiday celebrated on the 19th November each year to showcase, recognise and celebrate the achievements of men. With over 200 open or developing Men’s Shed groups now across Scotland in all 32 local authority areas, Sheds were invited to sign up to a free promotional opportunity – to exhibit in-store and reach their local communities – through the SMSA and Scotmid partnership.
Pentlands Men’s Shed all set up in their local Scotmid store on International Men’s Day
Lynne Ogg, Scotmid Community Manager (North region), said: “We are delighted to team up yet again with the SMSA to raise awareness of Men’s Sheds in the localities of our participating stores.
“We previously offered this opportunity during Men’s Health Week in June this year and it was a great success, one that we wanted to repeat, to not only improve the health and wellbeing of our employees but also for the men in the local communities we serve.”
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Chief Executive Officer, said: “Men’s Sheds are an opportunity for men to connect ‘shoulder to shoulder’ in a safe, friendly, welcoming and healthy environment to socialise, make friends, work on projects, learn new skills and mentor others. Each Shed is unique offering activities led by the members’ themselves who are all volunteers. The SMSA was keen to work in partnership with Scotmid again to offer this excellent promotional opportunity for Sheds to showcase the activities and facilities that they can offer local men, aged 18 and over.”
“We had a productive day in the Balerno Scotmid store on Saturday, meeting a few new potential members and raising awareness of the Shed within our community. It was a great prelude to our open week that starts on Tuesday 22nd November.”
SMSA’s Development Officer, Tim Green, at Scotmid HQ
Scotmid has supported the SMSA’s ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ awards as an event sponsor for thepast two years and has also funded individual Men’s Sheds through its Community Grant scheme. The SMSA was also recently invited to exhibit at the Scotmid HQ in Newbridge to promote the Men’s Shed Movement to employees, guests and visitors.
TheAnnual Report and Financial Statements for the period 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022 is now available from the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA).
The publication features reports from the SMSA Chairman, Treasurer and Executive Officer; key highlights from the reporting period; and the financial statements.
Carluke Men’s Shed popped up at their local Scotmid store in Law during Men’s Health Week in June 2022.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has teamed up with Scotmid yet again to offer Scottish Men’s Sheds a promotional opportunity to mark International Men’s Day on Saturday 19th November 2022.
During Men’s Health Week 2022 back in June, the SMSA partnered with Scotmid to offer a full-day exhibition space to raise awareness of the Men’s Shed closest to the store and attract new Shed members. Following the success of this, the SMSA and Scotmid are repeating the opportunity for International Men’s Day and offering a ‘pop-up’ space (9.30am – 6.30pm) – to accommodate a 6ft table, banner and up to two Shed representatives – for the local Men’s Shed on Saturday 19th November 2022..
The participating stores on Saturday 19th November are:
Scotmid Store
Address 2
Address 3
Post Code
479 Old Edinburgh Road
Uddingston
Glasgow
G71 6BL
3 Craigour Road
Torphins
Aberdeenshire
AB31 4HE
1 Carriers Croft
Lewiston
Drumnadrochit
IV63 6AG
1 Southfield Drive
Elgin
Moray
IV30 6GR
6 Main Street
Balerno
Midlothian
EH14 7EH
Culloden Road
Balloch
Inverness
IV2 7HQ
55 The Loan
South Queensferry
West Lothian
EH30 9SD
114-116 Hunterfield Road
Gorebridge
Midlothian
EH23 4TX
6 Mayfield Place
Mayfield
Midlothian
EH22 5JG
Unit 5-6 323 Hallhill Road
Barlanark
Glasgow
G33 4RJ
6 Bath Street
Portobello
Edinburgh
EH15 1EY
2 Carfin Street
New Stevenston
Motherwell
ML1 4JL
44 Main Street
Holytown
Lanarkshire
ML1 4TH
2 Main Street
Fauldhouse
Bathgate
EH47 9JA
30-36 High Street
Carluke
Lanarkshire
ML8 4AJ
25-27 High Street
Bonnybridge
FK4 1BZ
22-32 West Main Street
Armadale
EH48 3QA
22 Main Street
West Calder
West Lothian
EH55 8DR
2A Sycamore Walk
Blackburn
West Lothian
EH47 7LH
55-63 George Street
Coupar Angus
Perthshire
PH13 9DJ
180-184 High Street
Prestonpans
EH32 9AZ
106A High Street
Laurencekirk
Aberdeenshire
AB30 1BJ
45 High Street
Inverkeithing
Fife
KY11 1NL
53/55 Station Road
Law
Carluke
ML8 5LN
169 Stonefield Road
Blantyre
Glasgow
G72 9SD
120 Auchinairn Road
Bishopbriggs
Glasgow
G64 1NQ
129 King Street
Castle Douglas
DG7 1LZ
Lynne Ogg, Scotmid Community Manager (North region), said: “We are delighted to partner with the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association again to raise awareness of the benefits of Men’s Sheds in our stores to mark International Men’s Day this year.”
Armadale Shed exhibited at their local Scotmid store in June, Secretary Jan Pateman said: “We would like to thank the SMSA for organising this awareness day in conjunction with Scotmid. It gave us an ideal opportunity to chat to members of the public about what the Shed Movement is all about and what we do for both the community and members of the public. It also showed us that many residents had never heard of our Shed despite being in existence for six years so it was also a good public relations exercise. We were also able to chat to members of the community who have used our services and were singing our praises so it is great to know that we must be doing something right.”
As Scotmid has a ‘Charity of the Year’ partnership already in place, Sheds will not have the opportunity to fundraise, however each Shed can display and take orders for their Sheds products on the day.
PLEASE NOTE: VOTING FOR THE 2022 AWARDS HAS NOW CLOSED.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has announced the top three Scottish Sheds, shortlisted by the SMSA’s Board of Trustees, for this prestigious award that recognises and rewards the contribution and life-changing impact that these vital volunteers – also known as ’Shedders’ – across Scotland are making to their own lives and in their communities.
The 2022 finalists are Inverurie & District Men’s Shed, Lanark Men’s Shed and Men’s Shed Govan.
Inverurie and District Men’s ShedLanark Men’s ShedMen’s Shed Govan
Click on the links below to read each Shed’s entry and story then vote by midnight on Sunday 30th October 2022.
Alex Smith, Chairman of Inverurie & District Men’s Shed, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be in the top three! It is a great accomplishment achieved by the hard work of our Shedders. Fingers crossed now for the big one.”
Sarah Everett from Men’s Shed Govan said: “We are over the moon to be a finalist for this year’s SMSA ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ awards. We have come so far in the last four years and are delighted with our progress. It’s been great to see the camaraderie amongst our members build month on month.”
Alan Ross, Chairman of Lanark Men’s Shed, said: “We have just celebrated our first year and are overwhelmed with this fabulous news. As far as we are concerned, we are winners already. This is a big win for every single one of our members.”
Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The awards are a chance to showcase the real difference that Sheds are making in their localities to improve the health and wellbeing of men over the age of 18. We are absolutely delighted for our three finalists. We received an excellent response to this year’s awards in their fourth year – the highest number of entries received to date. The standard of applications has been exceptional and it was a difficult decision for the SMSA Trustees to choose their top three.
“The process is done through ‘blind judging’ and all references to names, areas, regions, partners etc are removed prior to the Trustees having sight of them. This enables our board members to review the applications based on the Men’s Shed model, their growth, their response to members’ needs and the impact they have in their communities without knowing who the application was from.”
The awards event will take place virtually on Zoom again this year and will coincide with the Association’s Annual General Meeting. The winner will receive the esteemed targe trophy to display at their Shed for a year on top of a cash prize from the SMSA (paid back from SMSA Shed membership fees) and goodies from sponsors and partner organisations including:
Shed accounts packages from Thyme Accountants worth £620 to support the Shed Treasurer;
Machine Competency and Woodwork training through David Young Training; worth £1200 and
an impressive piece of kit for the winner’s Shed workshop from Cromwell Tools that will be unveiled at the awards event.
The public has until midnight on Sunday 30th October 2022 to vote to crown the winner.
Last year’s title went to Westhill & District Men’s Shed – the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland. Shed Chairman Marty Kehoe said: “The recognition our Shed received from winning this prestigious title last year was a welcome boost for our members and raised our profile in the community. The trophy is magnificent and a big talking point with all of our visitors. We will certainly miss having it proudly on display but happy to pass the targe on to the next worthy winner.”
The winner and two runners-up will be announced to the public the day after the awards event on Saturday 19th November 2022 to mark and celebrate International Men’s Day.
