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 Shed said: “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.”