Templates to get your Shed started to run effective Shed committee meetings and Annual General Meetings (AGM):
Committee Meeting – Agenda and Minutes Templates
Men’s Sheds must hold regular meetings and keep records (minutes) of what has been agreed at each one.
Agendas should be sent to all Trustees inviting them to the meeting. Trustees must receive all the relevant information required to give them plenty of time to prepare.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Agenda, Minutes and Proxy Voting Form Templates
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) provides the opportunity for trustees to detail and explain their management and running of the charity or organisation to its members.
The AGM also provides an opportunity for members to ask questions and vote on AGM business matters e.g. changes to governing documents.
The UK government has invested in social prescribing schemes to tackle loneliness and its associated health impacts. Social prescribing refers people with health problems into community-based support and initiatives to enable group and peer support.
Men’s Sheds are one example of a community organisation with involvement in social prescribing and has an overarching aim to tackle loneliness and promote wellbeing. Men’s Sheds are friendly, lively, creative places where people can learn new skills, work on projects together or individually, enjoy each other’s company and share jokes, stories and maybe even some of the problems and challenges they are facing. The Sheds aim to bring people together, to tackle loneliness through ‘making environments’, where men (and women) come together in a social space, doing practical activities (e.g. woodwork).
As one of the few community and social opportunities specifically tailored to men, Sheds have attracted the attention of health and social care services professionals, social prescribers and other statutory and voluntary sector agencies who seek to ‘refer’ their clients to groups and activities that may be able to help them. This project aimed to explore the experiences of ‘referrals’ to Sheds and the potential impact this may have.
To aid this research, 93 Shed members (from various Sheds across the UK) were surveyed – and 21 interviewed on Zoom or Teams – in the summer of 2021. The survey asked Shed members about their experiences of joining and being a member of the Shed. The interviews further explored experiences in the Shed and perceptions and experience of social prescribing and ‘referral’ processes. This included positive and negative experiences, concerns and suggestions to improve experiences of social prescribing in Sheds.
In March 2022, an online, cross-nation event “Demystifying Social Prescribing in Men’s Sheds”, in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology and Glasgow Caledonian University, also took place to bring together Shed members, national Shed organisatons, academics and social prescribers from the UK and Ireland.
Working with Sheds across the nation, the SMSA team often hear about concerns arising over Shed social media accounts.
There are so many opportunities to be gained through social media—and it should be considered as an extremely useful and positive tool—including raising awareness of your activities; sharing your latest news announcements fast; building relationships; staying connected; reaching wider audiences; targeting a younger Shed member audience and to thank/recognise funders and supporters.
That said, if your social media presence is not managed correctly it can start to cause a whole range of issues—below are some top tips for Sheds to cover some of the concerns that have been brought to our attention:
Always have more than one administrator
The SMSA often hears about Sheds having duplicate accounts/pages as login details have been misplaced/lost, or the sole administrator of the account has moved on or unfortunately passed away. Always having more than one administrator will solve this problem and ensure maintaining the accounts is not just the responsibility of one person. Social media activity can be something the whole Shed can become involved in.
Make social media a part of your day-to-day Shed activities
To maximise the potential of social media, you need to keep your audience engaged on a regular basis. Consider adding the topic to your meeting agendas as a regular item to discuss—“What posts can we share to social media this month?” “Who can take the photo at that cheque presentation next week?” “Who can advise the Facebook Administrator on the details of that community project?”
Your community and supporters (and potential new members) want to see photos/updates of what it is like in the Shed i.e. members playing cards, working on projects together…even just a photo of Bob and John having a laugh over a cup of tea! They want to see Shed life.
Ensure your administrators are social media savvy
Your administrators will receive all notifications of posts and comments to the page and should respond and chat to followers/subscribers in a timely, polite, respectful and professional manner. It is important to interact with your audience and think twice (and proof read) before you share/post or respond to anything in the public domain. Be informative, offer support and show empathy and kindness at all times.
Responding to negative feedback/comments
Some topics/conversations may be controversial or divisive. After all, life would be boring if we all had the same opinions however, the way comments/feedback are dealt with is extremely important. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and it is important not to ignore comments that you do not agree with or leave questions unanswered and certainly do not ‘block’ the person because you do not like what they have to say. Respond to the person quickly in an open and transparent way, answering their query/concern and then invite them ‘offline’ to chat on the phone or in person to discuss the matter further.
Ensure administrators have the time to dedicate to social media
It is important to post regularly on your Shed news, funding successes, projects etc to keep you audience informed and engaged. Nothing is more off-putting than going to view a page that is out-of-date and not posted for a long time. When you recruit administrators, please ensure that they have the time to dedicate to this project and are fully-aware that the page will be updated regularly.
Get creative with your content
Use the platform to get the word out and showcase what you Shed has to offer—plenty of photos and videos of your facilities and your Shedders in action. It can often be intimidating or overwhelming for someone to come along for the first time so use social media as an opportunity to give a ‘virtual tour’ of the Shed as the welcoming, friendly and inclusive environment that it is. Get creative with your content, get the members involved in the videos and photos to make updating the social media a fun task.
Recognise and promote partnerships and relationships
If your Shed works in partnership with another individual, community group or organisation—to give or receive support—take photos of the project in progress or some before and after shots, presentations or events etc and tag each other into posts to promote the initiative and recognise the support.
Record the engagement
Sheds can utilise the engagement through their social media to harvest testimonials and feedback received on projects and record and promote this information in funding applications, evaluations and impact reports.
Keep personal accounts separate
Where possible, try to keep personal social media accounts out of the loop. Try setting up a new generic account and all of your administrators can use this one account to log-in and maintain the page. This also means that notifications can be set up to come into the Shed email address instead of personal email inboxes.
And finally, change your passwords regularly
Social media accounts can unfortunately be at risk of being hacked. Keep your social media accounts safe by changing your passwords regularly (quarterly is advised) and also after an administrator leaves the role.
Need some extra advice?
Feel free to contact Michelle Wibrew, SMSA PR & Communications Officer at comms@scottishmsa.org.uk
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.
This online national gathering, on Tuesday 5th October 2021, hosted and organised by the Scottish Government was targeted at community groups with an interest in asset transfer.
With over 100 delegates logging on through Microsoft Teams – with an interest in making an asset transfer request, learning more or wishing to share their experience of the process – there was good representation from Men’s Sheds across Scotland and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association.
Scottish Government’s Asset Transfer Policy Manager, Malcolm Cowie, has shared the presentations and associated information with the SMSA to send out to the Shed Networks.
Tuesday 5th October 2021 12.30 pm – 4.00 pm (on Microsoft Teams)
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has been approached by Scottish Government’s Asset Transfer Policy Manager, Malcolm Cowie, to share information to Scottish Men’s Sheds about this upcoming national event.
This very important online meeting, hosted by the Scottish Government. is targeted at community groups with an interest in community asset transfer. Your Shed might be considering an asset transfer request; have already been through the process; or are just interested in learning more.
It is hoped that Tom Arthur MSP (Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth) will join for part of the event and there will also be presentations from those involved in asset transfers and a chance for you to interact and discuss experiences.
An agenda is currently being finalised and will be issued shortly. In the meantime, please save the date in your diary.
Springburn Park Men’s Shed with their defibrillator
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has partnered up with Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity and leading first aid training provider, St Andrew’s First Aid, to provide free Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to ten Scottish Men’s Sheds.
The SMSA put a call out to the 190+ Men’s Sheds across Scotland inviting them to apply for the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and received 44 applications showing a huge demand for this vital equipment (retailed at just over £1,500) to be located at Shed premises across Scotland.
The ten recipients will use the equipment to not only protect their members but – with the addition of an outdoor cabinet purchased by the Shed – will also make them accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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. Chris Jowsey, Treasurer of Glenkens Men’s Shed, said: “One of our members had a cardiac arrest whilst at the Shed and sadly passed away despite the prompt actions of his fellow Shedders to get medical assistance. We can’t help but wonder if we’d had a defibrillator that day, if the outcome might have been different.
“We are delighted to have received this defibrillator through the SMSA and St Andrews First Aid and to be able to make it accessible to our entire community.”
Tom Bennett of Springburn Park Men’s Shed said: “We have been trying to raise funds for a defibrillator for over two years for our Shed located within a public park in our village. We are thrilled to accept and maintain this defibrillator and make it accessible to our members, other community groups, park users and the general public.”
Brian Kerr, Secretary of Dumfries Men`s Shed, said: “We are very pleased to have been one of the ten Sheds selected to receive one of the defibrillator units. We really appreciate it, and being in larger premises with new members already joining, it is re-assuring to know that in the unfortunate event that it is needed, we could possibly save someone`s life with this kit. It doesn’t get any more serious than life and death and we are very grateful to both the SMSA and St Andrews First Aid for their donation.”
Jim Dorman, Director of Campaigns and Public Engagement at St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Knowing that these vital pieces of equipment will be available to both members of the ten Sheds and to the wider communities will hopefully bring considerable peace of mind. With every minute that passes following a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival drops by 10%. Swift use of a defibrillator is all the difference needed to significantly increase a person’s chance of survival. We are delighted to donate these defibrillators to help more communities save lives.”
The successful Men’s Sheds across Scotland are: Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed; Forfar and District Men’s Shed; Glenkens Men’s Shed; Inverurie & District Men’s Shed; Macmerry Men’s Shed; Mens Shed Dumfries; Pentlands Men’s Shed; Peterhead & District Men’s Shed; Springburn Park Men’s Shed; and Whale Firth Men’s Shed.
*£580 for one full-day on-site training for your Shed. £290 for the first five Sheds that apply (with a low bank balance)!
David Young Training has offered an additional 10% discount on his machine competence and woodwork training courses for reopening Sheds as an SMSA Shed Membership benefit.
Original discounted price for Sheds: £638, new discounted price: £580 and the SMSA will pay 50% of this fee for the first five Sheds that apply (with a low bank balance). REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE.
David Young Training at Garnock Valley Men’s Shed
As runners up in the 2020 ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards, Garnock Valley Men’s Shed (GVMS) received a 50% discount on machinery competence and health and safety training through SMSA’s partner, David Young Training.
Having recently lost their Shed Manager to full-time employment, GVMS decided to follow the example of other Sheds and have a group of Supervisors available on a rota system. David Gardner, Vice-Chair and Treasurer of GVMS, said: “We quickly realised that our new group of Supervisors required training on our workshop equipment so decided to take up the offer of the discounted prize from David Young Training.
“Arranging the date was difficult, due to COVID-19 restricting travel and numbers, but we eventually settled on Wednesday 14th July 2021. The trainer, David Young, arrived at our Shed at 10am on the day and having been shown around and introduced to the training volunteers he started what proved to be a very successful day.
“The comments from each of the guys at the end of training were very upbeat and complimentary (see right for a few examples). We felt that the investment in this training was excellent and we would have no hesitation in recommending David Young Training to carry out professional, instructive and user-friendly training for other Sheds.”
Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “To support Sheds during the reopening process, we are delighted that our partner, David Young Training, has offered an additional 10% off his already discounted price for Scottish Sheds that are members of the SMSA.
“On top of this, the SMSA would also like to offer to pay 50% of the cost (now £580) for the first five Sheds that receive training within the next 60 days meaning that those Sheds will received a full day’s training—for up to eight of your members in your Shed—for just £290. With machinery being dormant for over a year and the need for refresher training, this is the perfect opportunity to come back to the Shed and stay safe.”
Feedback from GVMS
“May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation/ privilege to have been involved. The theoretical and practical aspects of ‘best working practices’ were inclusive, extensive and delivered in a most understanding manner. I took from the workshop, a broader knowledge base of the safe working operation of the various machinery as instructed. Much appreciated and recommended” Sandy
“Gave us exactly the training we needed, in our own workshop. David is extremely knowledgeable, helpful and a very enthusiastic trainer. Highly recommended!” Stewart
“This training gave me confidence to handle some machinery for the first time, it reinforced safe use and also gave us a knowledgeable assessment of our equipment. It highlighted what we need to do to make a more efficient and safe working environment” Steve
“As someone whose tool of choice is a pen, I found David’s training day fascinating. I now know what some of the machines in our Shed do. I was particularly impressed by his emphasis on safe use of potentially dangerous devices.” Henry (GVMS Chairman)
Glasgow Caledonian University has launched a new ‘toolkit’ to help increase the number of Men’s Sheds across the UK after research showed they improve the mental and social wellbeing of older men.
The community spaces offer the chance for men to take part in practical activities, such as woodwork, metalwork, model making or gardening, and are credited with tackling loneliness and social isolation.
Originating in Australia in the 1990s, the number of Sheds in Scotland has increased from one in 2013 to more than 190 today. There are more than 1500 across the UK and Ireland.
Researchers at GCU have been working with Men’s Sheds in Scotland to make the movement financially and socially sustainable, as part of a project backed by the National Lottery Community Fund.
It’s resulted in a new ‘toolkit’ for communities, a guide full of information on how to access funding, source sites, set up committees, run services and offer social activities.
Dr Danielle Hutcheon, research associate at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at GCU, said: “The Sheds offered a lifeline for a lot of people struggling with social isolation and loneliness, especially for men who live alone or are carers.
“What we’ve seen with the Sheds being closed, since March last year, is a real decline in men’s health and wellbeing.
“A lot of the Shedders we spoke to only left the house a couple of times a week to go to the shop or to go to the Men’s Shed. That was the only social contact they had throughout the week.
“Going to the Shed gives a lot of the men a sense of purpose, they treat it almost like a job. It gives them a sense of confidence and value in their lives that they didn’t have before.
“The key to the success of the Men’s Sheds is men’s ability to talk ‘shoulder to shoulder’, while doing a task, rather than sitting face to face in a lunch club or a pub. It’s a relaxed, informal, welcoming environment.”
The toolkit, created in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including the Scottish Men’s Shed Association, Scottish Government, and Age Scotland, will be made available throughout the UK and Ireland.
Dr Hutcheon added: “It comes at an important time. There is a lot of competition for funding at the moment. The toolkit will hopefully help Sheds expand, survive and sustain.
“There’s no doubt the Sheds are having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of a hard to reach group of men.”
Bill Core is a co-founder and trustee of Barrhead Men’s Shed, which opened in 2014. He’s 78-years-old and used to work in the furniture trade.
Barrhead’s Shed has 58 members and is based in an industrial unit in the town.
He said: “When I was semi-retired, I remember sitting in the house fed-up, thinking to myself what is my life going to be like when I’m fully retired? What the hell am I going to do?
“It’s fine in the summer if you can get out and do things but, in the winter, when the weather is bad, it can feel as if the walls are closing in. You find yourself looking up into the sky and thinking how long do I have before I’m up there?
“The Shed gave me a purpose to get up in the morning, it was a place to go to meet people like myself, keep busy, have a laugh and enjoy myself.
“The guys look forward to coming and arrive with a smile on their face and leave with a smile on their face.
“You get satisfaction from helping other people, from keeping minds active. A lot of members had high powered jobs in the past, there’s a real cross-section of society.
“I thoroughly enjoy making clocks from chunks of wood. I get an immense amount of satisfaction from it. Some of the stuff we’ve produced has been donated to local schools and nurseries, so the whole community is benefiting from the Shed.
“If anyone is sitting at home and thinking they would like to come along my advice would be put on your coat and do it. You won’t regret it, it will change your life for the better.”
Glasgow Caledonian University’s Sheds for Sustainable Development Project has announced the publication of a new paper on the physical health effects of Men’s Sheds on their users.
