Sustainability

The sustainability of Men’s Sheds can be precarious without adequate support.

The main sustainability challenges that Sheds can face include:

• leadership/ governance
• sourcing skilled and willing volunteers
• premises acquisition – securing a lease or full ownership
• financial sustainability, in particular securing grant funding for core running costs
• income generation
• health and safety matters
• members with complex health issues/additional health needs/disabilities
• the older age and retirement status of Shed members/trustees
• Sheds expanding/diversifying into service provision rather than remaining informal and flexible in their nature
• Energy efficiency is also a key component in the sustainability of Sheds in terms of reducing energy consumption to keep costs low as well as the environmental impact and maintaining the resource for future generations

The SMSA, the national support hub for Scottish Men’s Sheds, offers support at any stage of the Shed journey – from start-up all the way through to sustainability – contact a member of our team today for advice on how your Shed can survive and thrive.