discounts through the UK’s largest supplier of tools, Cromwell
discounted machine competency and health and safety training through David Young Training
a discounted monthly fee (£30) for a Men’s Shed tailored accounts package – including independent examiner’s report – through Thyme Accountants
a pathway to apply to the Scottish Community Alliance Learning Exchange grant programme for accommodation/travel costs to visit and share ideas and learn from other Men’s Sheds across the country
online access to the Australian Men’s Sheds Association’s Interactive Shed Manual – the quintessential guide for developing and operational Men’s Sheds
free promotion of your Shed through the Find a Shed interactive map on the SMSA website – which is viewed by over 2,500 users per month and is a great way to raise awareness of your Shed with potential new members and supporters. Please ensure your Shed details are entered and kept up-to-date using the ‘Add/Change Your Shed Map Information’ form on the webpage
free promotion through the six-weekly ‘The Scottish Shedder’ magazine which is sent to all Member Sheds and over 2,800 subscribers/supporters
up to two editors on the SMSA Shed Member Forum on Facebook, allowing you to post directly e.g. gifting or selling items, requests and sharing ideas and projects with other Sheds in Scotland
networking opportunities at the SMSA AGM and events
Please note, we have changed our bank to the Royal Bank of Scotland. If you have a standing order please cancel it and when you receive your invoice in April set it up again. Apologies for the inconvenience.
If you have any queries regarding your Shed membership, please contact Sue Salter, Administrator on 07465 202834 or email admin@scottishmsa.org.uk
The aim of this cross-nation event is to demystify social prescribing* for Men’s Sheds, through presentations of Shedder experiences, recent research findings and a panel discussion and opportunity for Q&A.
*Social prescribing is a community referral. GPs, nurses and other health care professionals can refer people to a range of local non-clinical services (like Men’s Sheds) to improve their health and wellbeing.
This event will bring together the cross-nation Shed network and social prescribing organisations and is open to anyone with an interest or involvement in Men’s Sheds (across the UK and Ireland) and to anyone working or involved in social prescribing.
The event will cover:
Social Prescribing and Men’s Sheds – research findings presentation (Dr Bryony Porter, University of East Anglia).
Social Prescribing in Practice – the perspective of a social prescribing organisation
Men’s Sheds Social Prescribing Case Studies
Panel Discussion and Q&A
This event is a cross-nation collaboration organised by Dr Bryony Porter (University of East Anglia), Dr Dani Hutcheon (Glasgow Caledonian University) and Aisling McGrath (Waterford Institute of Technology) who have each worked on research projects with Men’s Sheds.
IMPORTANT NOTE
In advance of the event, the organisers are asking attendees (especially Shedders) to complete a small questionnaire to harvest their knowledge on social prescribing. If your Shed has experience of social prescribing, please complete the questionnaire to share your thoughts to support the event discussions on the day.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is delighted to announce the process for its latest partnership with the UK’s largest supplier of tools, Cromwell.
Offering an unrivaled choice of products to all industries, professions and trades, Cromwell has now added Scottish Men’s Sheds to the list. As a result, SMSA Shed members will receive generous discounts in line with their major customers on all product groups.
Terry Duff, Divisional Sales Manager at Cromwell, said: “We are delighted to announce this new and exciting partnership with the SMSA. We bring 50 years of experience of supporting some of the largest manufacturers in the world to keep industry working and people safe. This partnership brings a new dimension to our business and supporting your Sheds and members will bring us great satisfaction.”
How do Sheds access their discounts from Cromwell?
It is easy to set up a Cromwell account through the SMSA:
If you missed the webinar ‘Spotlight on Men’s Sheds: The Impact on Individuals and Communities’, now is your opportunity to watch the 90-minute recording, including presentations and films from the SMSA, The Inverclyde Shed and Dr Danielle Hutcheon from Glasgow Caledonian University here on You Tube.
Online Event – Tuesday 1st February 2022, 4.00pm – 5.30pm
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has been working in co-production with Education Scotlandand our partnerGlasgow Calendonian University to deliver this Men’s Sheds Movement Showcase event directly to Education and Community Learning and Development practitioners in our Scottish schools.
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “This event is a first for the SMSA and a huge intergenerational opportunity to raise awareness of the impact and the range of health and wellbeing benefits that Men’s Sheds are delivering in our Scottish communities.”
The event will feature:
a spotlight on the SMSA and Scottish Men’s Sheds – highlighting the impact on people and communities in the context of Community Learning and Development
showcase footage from the Inverclyde Shed to tell their story
guest speaker presentations from Jason Schroeder (SMSA Executive Officer) and Dr Danielle Hutcheon (Glasgow Caledonian University)
a Q&A session
an opportunity to explore and discuss potential intergenerational links and a way forward for Men’s Sheds to work together with schools for future generations
The target audience for this event is professionals within the education sector in Scotland and an invite has also been extended for representatives from Scottish Men’s Sheds to attend.
APPLY TODAY to the Scottish Community Alliance’s Learning Exchange grant program
Shed members of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) qualify to apply for up to 100% of the accommodation and travel costs, to learn through the exchange of ideas and the sharing of common solutions with other Men’s Sheds/community groups across Scotland, through its membership agreement with the Scottish Community Alliance’s Learning Exchange grant program.
Amanda Cornish from the Scottish Community Alliance said: “The Community Learning Exchange is an opportunity for community groups to visit fellow organisations and learn from their experience. The programme funds travel and subsistence expenses up to £750, including a fee for the host organisation.I know that the Scottish Men’s Sheds which have already taken advantage of the exchange programme have found it extremely beneficial and enjoyable! Although there is no deadline for applications, funds will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and once they are gone, they are gone. So, don’t delay, apply today.”
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “Through our partnership with the Scottish Community Alliance, SMSA Shed members have access to this fantastic opportunity to gain insight into a community with shared challenges and vision. There is so much to be learned from these visits and meeting people with similar interests and goals. These visits inspire groups with new ideas and solutions to take back to their own projects.”
Feedback from participating groups:
“We all admitted that interacting with other Sheds is something we should try to do more of! It is all too easy to stick to your own Shed but this networking and sharing of ideas is key for success.”
“Several people told us it was the best study visit they’d ever been on.”
“The application process was straightforward and the response swift.”
“A thoroughly great day was had by all and we hope to return in the future.”
How do Sheds apply?
In July 2021, the Scottish Community Alliance (SCA) announced 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. Therefore, SMSA Shed members should contact Sue Salter, SMSA Administrator in the first instance atadmin@scottishmsa.org.ukor call 07465 202834.
Dunoon Men’s Shed’s learning visit to Dunbar Community Shed
The SCA Learning Exchange funds up to 100% of the costs—up to £750 for travel, accommodation and subsistence—for a visit by members of one community project to another.
Iain MacNaughton and Ian Graham of the Dunoon Men’s Shed had a wonderful day as guests of Dunbar Craft Centre and Community Shed on the 28th October 2021.
Dunbar Men’s Shed was originally located in the Belhaven Parish Church Hall but for several reasons was unable to continue operating there. Dunbar Craft Centre (DCC) came to the rescue and offered part use of their premises. Dunbar Men’s Shed was then rebranded as the Dunbar Community Shed (DCS).
The DCC is located within the Dunbar Business Centre and has a retail outlet on Dunbar main street. The DCC is a limited company, which employs several local people in its shop. The DCS has the use of a room adjacent to the craft centre which has been transformed into a comfortable and welcoming workshop.
Iain MacNaughton, Funding Sub-Committee Chair of Dunoon Men’s Shed, said: “The purpose of our visit to the community shed was to interact with their members and discuss a range of topics including: how they operate with shared premises; how they interact with other groups and Sheds; the range of diverse activities they offer to members; their ideas and future intentions; and how they bring the community together to alleviate loneliness and improve healt+h and wellbeing.
“On arrival, it was immediately obvious that DCS has an excellent relationship with DCC. The two organisations integrate well and share access to their respective working areas. This promotes a communal feeling and a sense of belonging which the Dunoon Shedders experienced as the day went on.
“Due to space constraints, the main focus of the Shed is woodworking. The members have been clearly innovative—making the best use of the space available. The working area is warm, inviting and conducive to members feeling at home in a safe environment.
“It was great to see some of their current Shed projects including a large model of conservation pioneer, John Muir—a Dunbar man and the genius behind national parks who died in 1914—for an upcoming community event and benches that are hinged for easy storage. The members have cleverly and finely honed their designs and sell the products through their community shop to raise funds.
“Sub-committees, and spreading the workload, was also discussed. The DCS has a Board of Trustees, a Shed sub-committee, a grant sub-committee, a garden sub-committee, and a Cowal vintage vehicle sub-committee. All hold their own meetings and raise funds and each has a Trustee representing the Board who reports back to the Trustees.
“Dunoon Men’s Shed is looking to purchase a portable cabin for crafts and, through this visit, we received valuable information on how to go about setting this up. Knitting, sewing, card making, board games, lampshade making, wet and dry felting, flower arranging, cooking classes, coin collecting, stamp collecting, basket weaving, clock repairs, jewellery making, art and pyrography were all suggested and discussed. It was also suggested we make individual days/evenings for each activity to allow people to attend the sessions they are most interested in.
“As a group, we discussed many opportunities and the issues Sheds face. Raising awareness in the community in terms of advertising and promotion was another hot topic. Getting the word out there to hard to reach groups such as those not on social media and people with disabilities/learning difficulties can be a particular challenge. The group discussed connecting with local befrienders and connect organisations to explain what the Shed has to offer.
“Throughout the course of our visit, there were people constantly popping in or saying they were returning later to help out. At one stage, my brother Francis—who I had no idea was coming along—turned up at the Shed and was made to feel very welcome and expressed an interest in joining as a member. It is a very small world indeed.
“At around 4pm, there was a flurry of excitement as their Shed members brought out several easels they had manufactured for their next activity—their popular art class—it was great to see.
“An ex-lighthouse keeper, Barry Craighead, also arrived when we were there and, when we got talking, he told us he is at present trying to establish a Shed in East Linton. The Shed is currently operating in a portacabin and has been running in name only for approximately two years. We suggested that Barry get in touch with the SMSA for advice on the way forward. Barry advised us that they are allowed to use the land their portacabin is on free of charge. In turn, the owner’s plants are looked after. A great example of interaction between Shed and landlord for the common good.
“All too soon, it was time to leave. We arrived early at the Shed that morning and intended to only stay until 2pm–to not overstay our welcome. Well, we need not have worried about that. By 4pm, we felt we were part of their Shed! Time flew by and the conversation flowed.
“We all admitted that interacting with other Sheds is something we should try to do more of! It is all too easy to stick to your own Shed but this networking and sharing of ideas is key for success. This visit proved that there is always something to learn from another Shed and you will always receive a friendly welcome.
“They really laid out the red carpet for us. Cath Finlayson, Bob Fleet, Nigel Booth, Tania King, Barry Craighead, Julie Arthur and Ute Penny of the Craft shop in the High Street, could not have made us more welcome. We arrived as strangers and left as friends and for this, we are extremely thankful.
“We must also thank the SMSA team who assisted us to set up this inter-Shed visit and the Scottish Community Alliance who kindly provided the finances for the trip—allowing us to travel from Dunoon to Dunbar and back and stay in comfortable accommodation for two nights—and the opportunity to learn so much.
“A thoroughly great day was had by all and we hope to return in the future.”
During the pandemic, the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) secured funding from the Scottish Government to provide vital funds to support Men’s Sheds in Scotland in crisis.
The purpose of the £30,000 emergency pot was to reach those Sheds most severely affected by the pandemic that were struggling with financial pressures and/or facing permanent closure as a result of Shed closures in lockdown. The funding was quickly put in place to ensure these Sheds were still around to support their members when able to safely open their doors once again.
The funds were allocated to over 20 Sheds to support them with their core running costs including rent, heat and light and insurance bills and/or materials and training to support them with their safe reopening.
Phil Cave from Biggar and District Men’s Shed said: “The emergency funding received through the SMSA was a great help in time of need and was paid directly to our landlord to cover the outstanding utility bills.”
Brian Beattie from Edzell Men’s Shedsaid: “The money awarded to us from the SMSA was allocated to rent and electricity to keep us going for ten months whilst the Shed was closed and we could not generate funds.”
Maryburgh Men’s Shed applied for funding towards their air filtration ventilation system to assist them to reopen. Shed Treasurer Andy Barnett said: “We originally applied to the SMSA using our original (and very high) contractor quotes. Following advice from the SMSA, we looked closer at how we could make it cheaper by doing a lot of the work ourselves and sent a revised application through. With the lesser amount secured through the SMSA, we could get going with our plans which gave us a real boost.”
Alan Watson, Chairman of Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood Men’s Shed said: “Thank you very much for this funding, it means a great deal to our Shed. It will enable us to supply each individual member who uses the workshop with their own kit, in a sealed box, to ensure no cross contamination. On behalf of all our Shedders, a BIG thanks to you and your team.”
Jason Schroeder, SMSA’s Executive Officer, said: “When COVID-19 forced Sheds to close temporarily this called a halt to their fundraising activities and impacted on their ability to generate income. In some cases, this threatened their Shed’s survival with the inability to pay for just the basic running costs.
“The SMSA is delighted to have secured this funding to help these Sheds in their time of need, and offset their lost income, to ensure they did not have to resort to closing their doors on a permanent basis.”
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) represents the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement across many sectors as well as through our Scottish Ministers in Westminster.
At the recent Westminster Hall Debate for International Men’s Day 2021 various Ministers shared the difficulties men and boys face in our modern society today. Men’s health is more than often being overlooked by governments but there are new organisations and movements which celebrate and support a healthy masculine role model emerging to rectify the negative toxic male stereotype we have inherited and Scottish Men’s Sheds is one of them. The Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement welcomes men over the age of 18 to join Men’s Sheds which can create a unique intergenerational experience for all involved to experience camaraderie with purpose in a ‘shoulder to shoulder’ mentoring way.
Margaret Ferrier, Independent MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, recognised the vital work of the SMSA and her recent meeting with Jason Schroeder, SMSA Chief Executive Officer commended the enormous impact Men’s Sheds have on the wellbeing of men of all ages that attend in her speech. Margaret’s speech begins at 21.40 mins into the video (below).
Check out the Hansard (Official Report) here. Margaret’s speech prompted some of the Members that followed to also acknowledge Men’s Sheds including Mrs Maria Miller (MP for Basingstoke) and Gavin Newlands (MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire).
Check out the video below for the full debate that took place on Thursday 25th November 2021:
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has today presented Westhill & District Men’s Shed with the esteemed ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ targe trophy to mark and celebrate International Men’s Day.
Westhill & District Men’s Shed, the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland which opened in 2013, was crowned the winner at the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2021 event earlier this month after receiving over a third of the votes from the public. The SMSA team hand-delivered the targe trophy, now engraved with the winning Shed’s name, to be displayed at their premises on Hay’s Way in Westhill, Aberdeenshire over the coming year.
The Association also presented a replica runner-up trophy, created by SMSA partner David Young Training, to Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed who came in a close second.
International Men’s Day, on the 19th November each year, celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities – putting the spotlight on positive role models and raising awareness of men’s health and wellbeing. Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “Today, we are delighted to recognise men from all walks of life and the contribution they make to society. We can think of no better way to mark International Men’s Day than to showcase and reward the tremendous impact that Men’s Sheds are making in their communities and the life-changing effect and benefits this brings to their members.
“The Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement, now in its seventh year, has grown exponentially and we now have 192 known open and developing Men’s Shed groups across the nation and it continues to grow thanks to these men.”
Chairman of Westhill & District Men’s Shed, David Thomson, said: “On behalf of our trustees and members, I am delighted to receive this exceptional trophy today. I would like to thank our Trustee Stuart Ellis who prepared and submitted our application for this award and would also like to recognise our supporters who voted for us – not just from the UK but also many from overseas. I am extremely proud of the contribution that each of our 300 members have made to make our Shed such a huge success.”
The SMSA’s targe trophy was collectively created in 2019 by several Men’s Sheds and designed by former SMSA Chairman, Derek Keiller of Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed for the first year of the Awards.
Derek designed and woodturned the targe from mahogany supplied by the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed from a 100-year-old billiards table followed by French polishing by Hamish Shepherd of Strathmore Men’s Shed in Coupar Angus. The trophy will now be displayed for a year at Westhill & District Men’s Shed on a unique stand designed by inaugural winner, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed.
The winner and runners-up also receive a range of prizes from the SMSA and their partners and sponsors. The winner, WDMS, receives over £2,000 of prizes to support their Shed including a £500 cash prize from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA Shed Membership fees); a £125 voucher from Scotmid Co-operative; a £200 voucher for tools from Balfour Beatty; a £50 voucher from Axminster Tools; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Training worth over £630; a year’s free Shed accounts package fromThyme Accountants worth £360 to support the Shed Treasurer; and goodies and hampers from their local Asda, Co-op and Tesco stores.
Professor Barry Golding AM – an internationally-published researcher and writer, associated with Federation University in Australia, who wrote ‘The Men’s Shed Movement: The Company of Men’ book in 2015 – has now produced a timely sequel entitled ‘Shoulder to Shoulder: Broadening the Men’s Shed Movement’.
The book was published in the US in late October and is available with a special offer to SMSA members! Anyone wishing to buy the 2015 book on the same order as the sequel will receive a 25% discount when they use the code—SHOULDER2021.
Essential reading for all Shedders, Shed-based organisations and anyone interested in learning more about the 3,000 very diverse Sheds open in community settings in more than ten nations around the world, check out the links below for more information on the two books:
A carefully researched and easy-to-read, evidence-based book about how and why the Shed model works and how the Movement, the scope and reach of Sheds might be broadened post COVID-19. The book features 130 illustrative case studies about Men’s Sheds and national movements across Australia, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Denmark. Inclusive of women’s Sheds and research evidence about impact.
Chapter 3 of the new book, called ‘Men’s Sheds in the UK’ (pages 119-186) includes information on Scottish Sheds and the SMSA. The book also includes 20 diverse UK Shed case studies (including six from Scotland) amongst the 131 case studies from around the world.
The public has voted and, out of five worthy finalists, Westhill & District Men’s Shed (WDMS) – the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland – has been crowned ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2021 after receiving 35% of the total votes.
WDMS was announced as the winner live by the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), with 667 votes, at the Association’s AGM & ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2021 virtual event on Thursday 4th November 2021. Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed came a close second with 450 votes and next up was Dunoon Men’s Shed with 305, followed closely by Aboyne & District Men’s Shed with 277 and Dumfries Men’s Shed with 216.
Chairman of Westhill & District Men’s Shed, David Thomson, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious title that recognises the achievements, over the last eight years, from our extremely active and committed Board of Trustees and members. We have grown significantly over the years and now welcome over 300 members through our doors—averaging nearly 100 member visits per week.”
The first of its kind in Scotland, WDMS has been used as a good practice model for many Scottish Sheds and has evolved and diversified to meet the needs of its growing membership since its inception in 2013. The Shed offers impressive facilities to local men age 18 or over including a fully-equipped workshop and social, meeting and administration areas. Activities include lawnmower refurbishment, a bridge group, music group, 3D printing, model railway making and their new clock/watch repair service to name but a few on top of their projects for their local community including making benches, pergolas, garden furniture, planters, and signs for walking trails to generate income towards the Shed’s running costs.
The Shed also holds a series of talks on a variety of subjects including men’s health and wellbeing and local history and presents to local groups and hosts visits to raise awareness of their Shed and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement as a whole.
The Shed recently expanded, with an additional portable cabin, creating more much-needed space to accommodate its growing popularity. In June of this year, WDMS also received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognising the invaluable work carried out in their community and with special recognition for its COVID-19 work to produce 2,700 face visors for keyworkers. Their future plans include repairing the leaky roof of their original Shed building but first and foremost, their focus lies with encouraging existing members to return to the Shed with confidence.
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted that the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland has claimed the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ 2021 title. This year’s entries were of an incredibly high standard and were blind-judged by our Board of Trustees before letting the public decide on their winner.
“The pandemic and temporary Shed closures have certainly not put a stop to these men and they have demonstrated extreme resilience. The awards event not only showcases and recognises the immense achievements of individual Men’s Sheds and the impact they are having at a local level – to improve men’s health and wellbeing and make a real difference in their communities – but also celebrates the incredible growth of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland over the last eight years to what we have today – over 190 Men’s Shed groups nationwide – and it continues to grow.”
The winning Shed will receive the esteemed targe trophy – created by 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 trophy will be hand-delivered to WDMS by the SMSA Chairman and staff team to mark International Men’s Day on Friday 19th November 2021. Each of the four runners up will also receive a replica of the trophy, created by David Young Training, to be displayed in their Shed’s to recognise them as 2021 finalists.
The winner and runners-up also receive a range of prizes from the SMSA and their partners and sponsors. The winner, WDMS, receives over £2,000 of prizes to support their Shed including a £500 cash prize from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA Shed Membership fees); a £125 voucher from Scotmid Co-operative; a £200 voucher for tools from Balfour Beatty; a £50 voucher from Axminster Tools; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Training worth over £630; a year’s free Shed accounts package fromThyme Accountants worth £360 to support the Shed Treasurer; and goodies and hampers from their local Asda and Co-op stores.
