Services & Support
SMSA Website and Resources Library
The SMSA’s 120+ page comprehensive website and members’ area are filled with all the information from starting up a Men’s Shed to becoming a fully sustainable Shed.
The password-protected members area contains a wealth of vital resources required to run a Shed e.g. constitution templates (lease and ownership) and policies and procedures to save reinventing the wheel.
Membership Pack and Benefits
Your Shed will receive a comprehensive Shed Membership pack to assist your current Trustees, and new Committee members that join in the future, as a one-stop shop of information on how the SMSA can support your Men’s Shed at any stage of development. SMSA Shed Members are also eligible for SMSA Shed Membership Benefits including discounted insurance, electricity and training. Individual SMSA members also receive a welcome pack and pin badge in the post from the Association.
Mediation Support
The SMSA can offer mediation support to sort out any differences or disputes being experienced in the Shed between any Trustees and/or members.
Scottish ‘Find a Shed’ Map
The SMSA ‘Find a Shed’ online map receives thousands of visits every month. It is a vital tool used by prospective new Shedders and their friends and family to locate a local Shed near to them.
Development Support
The SMSA team is just a call away to offer advice and support at any stage of your Shed journey. The development team can also visit your Shed to discuss your needs face-to-face and also run Shed Network meetings to connect and meet with fellow Sheds in your area.
The SMSA team–consisting of Chief Executive Officer, Development Officer, Administrator and Communications & PR Officer in addition to our SMSA Board who act as Shed Ambassadors for their regions–are here to help inspire and support you so please do not hesitate to contact us.
Promotional Materials
SMSA members will receive a welcome pack with materials—posters, pens, leaflets, stickers etc—to promote the SMSA and the Men’s Shed Movement. SMSA Member Sheds also have access to use the ‘A Member of the SMSA’ logo on their websites and promotional materials.
Database
The SMSA maintains a database of all known open and developing Men’s Sheds across Scotland. This information is crucial to monitor and report on the growth of this grassroots health Movement.
National Events and Gatherings
The Association arranges national events including their AGM, guest speakers and ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards to get members together. Shed representatives also have the opportunity to attend their regional Shed Network Meeting.
Men’s Shed’s Research Project and Toolkit
Through the SMSA’s partnership with various universities and Glasgow Caledonian University’s four-year ‘Sheds for Sustainable Development Project’, several peer-reviewed briefings and research publications and the first Men’s Shed Toolkit for the development and sustainability of Sheds in the UK and Ireland have been produced.
Communications
The SMSA created The Scottish Shedder magazine which was launched in 2017. The publication has gone from strength to strength as a powerful tool to showcase the developments of the Men’s Shed Movement in Scotland. The extremely popular magazine is sent out bi-monthly to our thousands of individual members who are all supporters of the Movement. Not yet a member? It is free to join and receive it straight to your inbox.
The SMSA also offers regular email communications to Shed members and individual members in addition to its ‘Shedloads of Opportunities’ bulletin—highlighting relevant funding, consultations, research studies etc—every second month and updates through the Association’s growing social media platforms—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked In and its popular You Tube Channel.