Background/History

In November 2016, an NHS Health Communities Worker and Perth & Kinross Council Development worker set up the first meeting in Kinross to see if there was interest. Over 50 people attended and then a Committee was formed. The group’s constitution was then compiled in April 2017 and Kinross & District Men’s Shed became a registered charity in February 2019.

We first met in the local school hall once a week but we then moved to our present building in 2018 where we would meet three times a week. In August 2019, we placed a bid to buy a building from Perth College in the centre of Kinross. Our bid was accepted and we received funding to purchase the Swansacre building. Today, we are waiting for a retrospective building warrant from the local authority to complete the sale.

Achievements

Face Visors
Although we have been closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, we can proudly say we did our bit during the crisis. With the team of guys we supplied around 4,500 face visors to frontline workers, carers, shop workers and those returning to work. The visors were built by hand and 3D printers. In the space of two weeks, we had to set up a production team as the demand exceeded supply. At our peak, we produced 1,000 visors in one week. A truly magnificent effort by everyone!

In recognition of this fantastic achievement, the KDMS visor team received a letter from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Perth & Kinross expressing sincere appreciation to the Shedders for their work in the community in the present crisis. We also received a mention by STV News as well as national and local newspapers for the contribution the Shedders did for frontline workers.

The Kinross and District community were fantastic in their support – offering materials and donations. To date, they have contributed approximately £5,000 which has covered all our expenses. We will be donating two 3D printers to the local schools that we purchased with the donations.

Cycle Donations
During the pandemic there has been an increased interest in cycling. However, there are those who couldn’t afford a bicycle. So working with local charities, ‘Families in Poverty’ and ‘Broke Not Broke’, a few of the men repaired and serviced many bikes that were donated by the public. These were free to those who needed them.

Food Bank
During the pandemic, the local food bank has been overwhelmed by requests for food. One of our members using the Shed’s van helped out be delivering food parcels to those in need.

15 Swansacre
The purchase of our new building has been a long and difficult journey over the last 12 months. We have encountered many difficulties and hurdles (false rumors, objections, survey problems, major remedial building work and coronavirus temporary closure) but it will be all worthwhile to get this fantastic building for KDMS. We will have a building which will be warm and comfortable, bright, inviting and a place where we can fulfill our mission to have a building where the men of Kinross and District can come together to share ideas, chat and enjoy each others company as well as being a place to create and build our future.

Challenges/Barriers

When the idea for a Men’s Shed in Kinross was first put forward to the public there were many who thought it was pointless as the area did not need it as everybody was fine! However, when the first public meeting was held to discuss if there was a need for a Men’s Shed in Kinross, over 50 men turned up. Over the last two years, with the enthusiasm of the membership, the Shed has grown from strength to strength with a membership of over 120.

Our present building in an old wine warehouse has played it’s part in the Shed over the last two years but it just isn’t fit for purpose. The building is huge and is impossible to heat meaning it’s desperately cold for the majority of the year. In June 2019, we pursued our interest in a building – which had come up for sale – owned by Perth college and previously used as a learning centre. Despite being outbid for the property by commercial developers we were successful with our bid. We received help and encouragement from the community, the local Health Centre, our local councillor, the Arthur Margaret Thomson Trust who gave us the loan to purchase the building, Perth College, STV and the Scottish Government.

The building failed a building survey so remedial work had to be undertaken and this all took time. Then we had the pandemic shut us down along with everyone else so the purchase was delayed yet again.
It has been a long struggle, more than 12 months later, we feel we are almost there and hopefully when we move into phase 4 of the Covid-19 recovery plan, we will have signed for the building and be ready to open up in our new building.

Impact on Local Community

Kinross Medical Centre supported KDMS with our bid for our new building by writing to the sellers explaining the great work the Shed is doing – by encouraging men to look after their health and meet regularly to improve their health and wellbeing.

We are regularly invited by community groups and clubs to come along and give a presentation about the Men’s Shed and what kind of things the Shedders get up to e.g. Rotary Club, the WRI, Kinross High School to name but a few. KDMS was also invited along to the local school as judges for a Christmas cookery competition between pupils and staff.

During the summer months, Kinross has a monthly street market that we attend with our Gazeebo where we have an opportunity to meet the public and share what the Men’s Shed is and what it can offer. We have a large number of members joining through this. We also attend surrounding village fetes and events doing the same thing.

We have supplied and repaired garden benches for local residential care homes as well as elderly individuals. Each year, we repair and service the Christmas lights for Kinross High Street. We also restored Santa’s sleigh for the Rotary Club to take Santa round the town.

We have supplied garden signposts for a children’s hospice, built ramps for disabled users homes, helped remove furniture and belongings for the elderly and deliver sofas for the local youth club. Because of our high profile in our area, we are very well supported by the community. They know they can ask us for help at any time.

Leading Light

There have been many Shedders who have gone far and beyond the call of duty. The Trustees and office bearers (past and present) have done a tremendous job as have many members.

Kinross and District Men’s Shed would not be what it is today without the magnificent effort of its members who have worked tirelessly in building a community of Men who come together to support one another and also care for one another and the community.

Tell a story of a time when your Shed has gone above and beyond

We will never know how many lives were saved by the wonderful effort of KDMS’s production of 4,500 face visors to NHS and care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the first few months when frontline workers were unable to get PPE, we set up a production team of over 30 men working tirelessly, from the safety of their own homes, to manufacture the face visors. All of which were supplied free of charge to those that needed them. Some of the men were putting in a 60-hour week to meet the huge demand in this emergency. We supplied visors to these heroes, from Glasgow to St. Andrews and from Dundee to Edinburgh.

Staying Connected During Covid-19 Pandemic

We have used Zoom for Trustees meetings and Whats App for the members to stay in touch. They could share news, jokes and just have a chat.

Several of the trustees phoned around some of the isolated men who did not have the internet. Newsletters were also sent out to try and keep members up to date with events and news.

Future Plans

Our future plans are all round getting our new premises up and running. We will need to decorate the interior as well as maintenance of the outside of the building. We will be moving our equipment and setting it up in new workshops.

Once we have enough supervisors it is hoped to start new clubs and activities for the men. Our objective is to try and have something for everyone. That could be anything from model making to gardening. The KDMS belongs to all its members and should therefore meet all the demands of its members where it is possible.