SMSA News - Scottish Men's Sheds Association

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.

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

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 Shed 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

PLEASE NOTE: THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS ENDED

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

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.

The announcement, which coincides with Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2021), 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.

The SMSA becomes a member of Unforgotten Forces

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is pleased to announce that it is now an official member of the Unforgotten Forces consortium.

Unforgotten Forces, led by Age Scotland, is a partnership of armed forces and civilian charities working together to deliver a ‘one-stop-shop’ of high quality and joined-up support and opportunities – including advice, healthcare, creative activities and events – that boosts the health and wellbeing of older veterans in Scotland (age 65 and older).

The SMSA recently launched its first-ever Manifesto where the Association pledged its commitment to improve its reach to the armed forces and veterans’ community through co-production. Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “The Association is delighted to become a member of this collaborative project. We will work with the other leading partners towards a common goal – extending our reach to collectively meet the needs of the armed forces and veterans’ community – to offer the right support to improve health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

“In Scotland, there are over 190 Men’s Shed groups and it is our vision to continue to support the growth of this Movement so that one day, every Scottish man will have access to and the opportunity to attend their local Shed if they choose to do so. The SMSA will afford this opportunity to raise awareness of Men’s Sheds and the wealth of benefits of attending this healthy and inclusive environment.”

Military veteran Stuart Paton said: “I have suffered from mental illness my whole life and have made several attempts on my life. It was extremely hard to transition to civilian life once the regiment and structure of the army was gone. Becoming a member of Garnock Valley Men’s Shed changed everything for me and gave me a sense of purpose again.

“I went along to the Shed and found it very friendly and welcoming with a diverse range of people, of all ages, and activities on offer. I have been involved in several different gardening opportunities, woodwork projects as well as joined the modellers’ club which ran throughout lockdown. The Shed experience is unique and my new-found Shedder pals have saved my life without a doubt. I have found real, meaningful friendships and these men don’t realise how much they have done for me.”

Doug Anthoney, Unforgotten Forces Co-ordinator, said: “A large majority of Scotland’s 220,000 veterans are older men, so they are a group disproportionately affected by later life’s challenges including loneliness and loss of purpose. Men’s Sheds can be a tonic for them, enabling them to rediscover the camaraderie and teamwork many enjoyed in the Forces.”

Graham Reece, an RAF veteran and member of the Forth Valley Men’s Shed, said: “It is really hard to find friends and camaraderie back in civvy street, like we experienced in the Forces, but Men’s Sheds are breaking down this barrier. The friends you meet and make in the Shed are very much like your peers in the Forces and you are all in the same boat.”

For more information on Unforgotten Forces, please visit www.unforgottenforces.scot.

The SMSA recently took part in the Unforgotten Forces podcast to discuss what Men’s Sheds can offer ex-servicemen in Scotland, click here to listen to the podcast on Spotify.

Introducing 12 Guitars!

As we start approaching a time when lockdown will hopefully be easing soon and we start to consider re-opening our Shed doors once again, you might be keen to take a look at this social enterprise that caught our eye.

12 Guitars—currently based in Govan, Glasgow and formed by Gerry Thorogood and Steve Plummer in April 2019 —is broadening its focus and reaching out across Scotland with an ambitious plan to help people in our society that need a musical boost!

12 Guitars receives donated guitars from a variety of sources, recycles/upcycles them and donates them to people who could not otherwise have access to a guitar or perhaps don’t have the resources to buy a guitar. They then provide guitar tuition both physically and online and also have some workshop facilities to service, repair and restring donated guitars.

SMSA has been liaising with the management team at 12 Guitars and they have some ambitious plans afoot and we wonder if there could be synergy between our two organisations? SMSA and 12 Guitars are keen to hear from Sheds, Shedders and Movement supporters if there is an interest to optimise the musical talent across the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement.

Ken Morton, Director of 12 Guitars, said: “We are very excited about potentially working with the SMSA and Shedders across Scotland. We have many exciting plans in the pipeline including online ‘gig nights’ that could be broadcast to the Sheds. We are interested to hear if there is an interest in guitars, guitar maintenance, repairing guitars and even forming Shed bands—the possibilities of this partnership are endless.”

To give you an idea of the “Shed Bands” live event idea and concept, here is an article of a series of events that took place a few years ago, around the world, called “Weekend Warriors” where bands were formed and performed for fun and to “soft” audiences (friends and families mainly) at www.australianmusician.com.au/weekend-warriors-a-firsthand-account and a video to show how the idea works in general at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFbIML3AcbA

Interested?

SMSA and 12 Guitars are keen to hear your thoughts on this potential opportunity to learn new skills, help your communities through music and provide fun challenging musical events.

Please complete the online questionnaire at the link below to let us know your thoughts on this potential exciting collaboration. Please respond by Friday 9th April 2021.

Complete the questionnaire online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/12Guitars

For more information on 12 Guitars, check out their website at www.12guitars.org, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/12GuitarsRock and watch a short clip of them in action on You Tube at https://youtu.be/K7wvRDu6i88