In the Summer of 2015, the Third Sector Interface (TSI) in Dunoon suggested starting a Men’s Shed. After advertising locally in the local press and by word of mouth, the first meeting of the Dunoon Men’s Shed (DMS) was convened and the Shed was born. These original pioneers consisted of around 14 people.

Premises were found at the old Walkers Garden Centre in Alexander Street in Dunoon where the original founder members, now boosted by further new members, descended on the premises to clean it up.

In 2016, Dunoon Men’s Shed applied for charitable status and it was not long before people started coming in with donations of materials, tools, and equipment. The various skills of the membership allowed for different sections to be arranged including woodworking, mechanical, arts and crafts and bicycle repairs.

Over the next two years, the membership and the interaction with the community of Dunoon went from strength to strength. Early in 2017, DMS discovered they could no longer stay in their premises in Alexander Street. The trustees began looking for alternative premises and found the old ceramics factory in Hamilton Street. After negotiations, DMS was on the move.

DMS took possession of the Hamilton Street premises in July 2017. These premises were much larger than Alexander Street and more industrial – allowing for more members.

From 2017 to present, DMS has been successful in securing funding and increasing interaction with the local community. DMS has strived to fight mental health, social isolation and loneliness. DMS never turns anyone away and will always help where they can we can. Although our organisation is mainly for older retired men, we are open to all, and we strive for equality and diversity with respect to culture, race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.

Achievements

While in lockdown, the Shed’s funding sub-committee worked to secure monies to keep the Shed running including funds from Tesco, Local Co-op Community Fund, the Corra Foundation, A&B and the Scottish Community Alliance. In March 2021, using the funding from the Co-op, the Shed installed a four-post car lift, procured a Defibrillator, and bought accessories for their car maintenance section. The woodworking area is a popular section of the Shed however, wood dust is a problem. The Shed secured vital funding from Argyll and Bute Council to install a central dust extraction system to protect members.

The Tesco funding is being used to create a garden area at the rear of the Shed premises which will be a quiet place for members to relax and talk away from the hustle and bustle of the main Shed area.

Over the last year, their bike supply and maintenance section worked tirelessly to keep the local community of Dunoon active and mobile. This was achieved by setting up an area outwith the Shed enclosed area, so a few members and the community of Dunoon could visit the Shed under strict Covid-19 rules to procure bikes, or have their bikes repaired.

Challenges

Covid-19 had an adverse effect on membership. Some vulnerable members have not returned and DMS ensures they keep in contact with anyone that may need help, reassurance or encouragement to return.

DMS is constantly discussing ways to add new activities, and in turn attract new members away from the basic shed sections of woodworking, car maintenance, mechanical, and bike repairs. The Trustees are aware to attract new members, the Shed needs to diversify, and add to, our tried and tested staple shed activities. The following ideas have been discussed – jewellery making, pottery, pyrography, electronics, computing, singing and public speaking classes.

As the Scottish Government has removed most of the Covid-19 restrictions, attracting new members and opening more days will be at the top of future meeting agendas.

Impact

DMS works closely with the community of Dunoon and offers services to repair clocks, sewing machines, garden furniture, bicycles, cars, woodwork, etc.

This year, Argyll and Bute Council told the community the hanging baskets in Argyll Street in Dunoon would not be installed due to cutbacks. The Dunoon Men’s Shed held an extraordinary meeting and were unanimous in their commitment to make this happen to bring some joy to the community of Dunoon after the terrible year they had experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Men’s Shed used £700 of their own funds to carry out the project. In addition to this, they also committed their own time and effort to water and maintain the baskets throughout the summer of 2021. Not only did this cheer the town up, but it also attracted much needed tourists to the area.

During the year, their bike maintenance member – who used to be the janitor in Kirn Primary school – constructed a play centipede, and installed revolving fence discs at the school. This was a great hit with the children at the school and received the praise of the head teacher and it was featured in the local paper, the Dunoon Observer.

The local Argyll Raptor group has asked the Shed to construct owl boxes for Tawny and barn owls. To increase the owl population these animals require good draught free boxes of a sufficient size and DMS was happy to help this worthy cause.

The Shed has also been approached by some companies in Dunoon to enquire if we could provide work experience to young people in the different sections of the Shed. This idea has been warmly welcomed by the members and Trustees.

Leading Light

There are several groups and individual members who have done so much for the good of the Shed and its future sustainability. The founding members who had the vision and worked tirelessly to start DMS. This was a daunting task and was carried out selflessly for the good of the organisation and the future members of the Shed.

The committees who give their time and effort to organise the operation of the Shed, sort out problems, raise revenue and grants, etc. These people are the backbone of any organisation and receive no recompense except the knowledge they are doing their best for the sustainability of the Shed and its members.

While all the above are important, the most important people in the shed are the members themselves. Without them there would not be a shed. They truly are the heroes and keep the wheels of the Shed well oiled. However, as in all organisations there is always one person who stands out. This is usually a quiet, unassuming member and yes, the Dunoon Men’s Shed has one. His name is Tam MacDonald.

Tam is the Shed’s bicycle maintenance man and the number of people in Dunoon who have used his services is staggering. He never turns anyone away and will go to the Shed any time, day or night, if someone requires his help. He gives priority to anyone who needs their bike fixed if it is their only mode of transport, especially if it is needed for work, or to visit someone. He works with local schools, the community, and knows everyone. On one occasion the local Police asked if he could service their bikes, immediately Tam rose to the challenge and carried out the work. DMS does not charge for its services and rely on donations from the public when work is carried out who are always very generous. Tam being Tam, he refused any kind of recompense from our local Police constabulary who carry out a demanding job. He is truly a remarkable man.

Going Above and Beyond

Recently, DMS was approached by Police Scotland, PC Laura Evans who is a working member of the Argyll and Bute Suicide prevention Group. Laura explained their community project covered Argyll and Bute to provide, ‘Friendship Benches’ that will encourage people to chat to others on the bench as well as provide contact numbers for organisations that can help if someone needs support.

Their vision is to provide 10 brightly painted benches throughout Argyll and Bute. Laura asked if the Dunoon Men’s Shed would like the opportunity to be involved in her project as she had heard from others, we helped with initiatives like this before. The Dunoon Men’s shed immediately rose to Laura’s request and the DMS Grant funding sub-committee sprang into action. We sourced funding from the CORRA foundation of £3,000 from their ‘enabling neighbourhoods and community’s fund’. This funding was applied for by DMS and secured within 5 weeks for the ‘Friendship Benches’ project. We contacted Laura and told her of our success in respect to securing funding for her project. Laura visited the shed to thank us and discuss the way forward on the project.

Dunoon Men’s Shed, using the funding from the Corra Foundation, are supplying 10 benches in aid of Laura’s project. These benches will be brightly painted in ‘Forget me Not’ and ‘Sea Grass’ colours. Six other benches will be supplied to the community. Four to local areas and two to CHAS charity in Balloch. DMS has progressed well with the project and hope to have it complete by the end of the summer.

Staying Connected during Pandemic

When lockdown was announced, the DMS Trustees informed the members by e-mail, letters and telephone calls, and social media the shed had to be closed as per the Scottish government and chief medical officer’s guidelines. The shed committee set up a lifeline contact service for members. This was operated confidentially by a few members who were willing, and had the skills, to help members who were finding it difficult to cope during the pandemic. This lifeline being available was sent to all members by e-mails, letter, and phone. Zoom meetings were set up and the trustees were kept fully informed of the ongoing situation regarding members difficulties by the chair of the Shed Committee.

Unfortunately, Zoom was not something some of them were used to or comfortable using. When this was the case phone calls, and letters were reverted to. The trustee committee monitored the day-to-day situation with respect to the Scottish Government and Chief Medical Officers guidelines and laws. As we know these guidelines occasionally were relaxed and then tightened during the long period of the pandemic. The trustees guided the shed committee on these matters.

In July 2020, the rules were relaxed to allow a certain amount of people to meet up outside. The trustees instructed the shed committee to purchase the necessary Covid-19 equipment advised by the Scottish Government. When safe to do so, and under strict adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines, the Shed outside area was opened to some members. The membership was contacted, and a rota system was set up to allow members who wished to visit the Shed to do so. This of course was completely voluntary and up to the members who wished to take up the offer to attend.

Unfortunately, after July 2020 the covid-19 restrictions were tightened and relaxed on many occasions. The Trustees continued to monitor and advise the shed on these matters.

Future Plans

As the Shed premises are rented from a private landlord, the Trustees are exploring the possibility of buying the building and have tasked the ‘Shed grant sub-committee’ to investigate the possible purchase.

Recently, DMS received a grant from the Scottish Community Alliance through the SMSA to visit the Dunbar Men’s Shed. The visit will be used to compare systems of operation, with a view to learn and advance from the experience.

DMS has been approached by a local engineering company to provide a 16-year-old with work experience in the bicycle repair section prior to him being employed as an apprentice with the company.