The SMSA takes a peek inside the doors of Livingston Community Shed in West Lothian which has flourished over the last year and just recently signed a ten-year community lease for the South Barn Garden at Carmondean Community Centre. Shed Chairman David Piper shares their blooming success so far.
David said: “Livingston Community Shed (LCS) is situated in Livingston in West Lothian with a base at Carmondean Community Centre and a workshop at Mosswood Community Centre in Knightsridge.
“LCS is run under the guidance of five trustees, but run on a democratic basis, with all major decisions being put to all members.
“We began our journey back in 2022 when local church café manager Norma Brown noticed four rather lonely men sitting in her cafe and suggested a Men’s Shed might be just what the doctor ordered.
“The Shed officially launched in October 2022 and its membership since then has tripled. Now standing at 27 members and counting—with an age dynamic of between 40 and 86 years young— there are 12 members who are active on a regular basis.
“LCS is open on Mondays and Fridays at Carmondean Community Cafe, where the focus, apart from the excellent bacon rolls and home bakes, is on the banter and having a laugh.
“On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Shed is open at our Mosswood workshop from 10am-2pm, with extended hours during the summer months, where we undertake woodwork, photography and garden maintenance.
“During our first year, the projects were restricted as the Shed did not have a workshop. So, we concentrated on garden projects for both local community members and some local care homes and community centre gardens which had been left to overgrow.
“These were soon cleared and brought back to life with new plants and LCS now has a maintenance role in keeping these spaces tidy for the local communities to enjoy.
“In June 2023, LCS acquired the use of a 20ft x 8ft container at Mosswood, Knightsridge area of Livingston which we have transformed into a woodwork workshop. Since acquiring this unit, it has been possible to add woodwork projects to the list of projects we undertake.
“We have refurbished several garden benches and remodelled a covered BBQ space at Mosswood. We have taken on some upcycling and refurbishment of furniture for community members and have recently been asked to construct scenery for a local panto performance and are assisting one of the local special needs schools to erect a poly tunnel and some raised beds so that the children can grow plants.
“Last year, our Shed entered the 2023 ‘Helping Your Community Grow’ competition through Dobbies Garden Centre and were delighted to win £1,000 of garden equipment. We also applied for and were awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund which will assist with the complete refurbishment of Carmondean South Barn Garden.
“Various local authority grants have allowed us to expand our workshop and construct three garden sheds. We do not charge our members a joining fee, it is completely free to attend and several local residents support our efforts through the donation of tools and items of furniture to refurbish and sell for funds to keep us running.
“Our Shed has also recently been awarded a grant of £10,000 from West Lothian Council to help deliver mental health support to younger people in conjunction with Youth and community project, Vennie Knightsridge.
“LCS has its own WhatsApp group for informal chats and the exchange of ideas amongst our members. We also have weekly meetings to which all Shedders are invited, and this keeps everyone updated with what is happening and of any projects or grants we have ongoing.
“The Shed has had a huge impact on the lives of its members. In conversations, many of our Shedders tell us that the social inclusion and camaraderie they gain from participating in Shed activities is a major part of their daily life now.
“Strong bonds have developed, and members do look out for one another and provide help and assistance to any member who has a problem. The participation in projects provides a strong link that encourages and promotes members to be involved in community related projects that provide further aspects of social inclusion for our older members.
“Long-term, our Shed has a bright future ahead as we have become well known and respected by other organisations and council bodies who see us as a good example of what can be achieved when a group of people come together to do things that support the local community.
“Earlier this year, LCS formally signed a 10-year community lease for the South Barn Garden at Carmondean Community Centre. The garden area has not been tended for over 28 years and it provides the Shed with the challenge of restoring it to a functioning space for the local community.
“This is a long-term project as the large space currently resembles a very overgrown jungle which we intend to convert into a community garden with growing poly-tunnels and raised beds for the production of trees and plants to help the environment.”
Follow Livingston Community Shed’s activities through their website and Facebook page.
