Shedload of good in project
‘Men’sShed’rollsintotown
The Men’s Shed movement have taken their workshops on the road.
Men’s Shed groups aim to tackle isolation and loneliness by providing opportunities for older men to socialise.
And now, in what is a Scottish first, the ‘mobile men’s shed’ is travelling through communities thanks to a £117,000 donation from the Big Lottery Fund.
It pulled into East Kilbride earlier this month.
The ‘shed on wheels’ pitched up at the town’s John Wright Sports Centre to offer a taster programme.
There is currently a static Men’s Shed in operation at the Westcoast Storage Centre.
And East Kilbride East councillor Gladys Miller, chair of the finance and corporate resources committee at South Lanarkshire Council, hopes to see even more of the groups formed.
“The Men’s Shed model has shown itself to be really successful so far at engaging with those who might traditionally be seen as hard to reach,” she commented.
“Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed provides a safe and busy environment where men can meet in an atmosphere of friendship.
“And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a chat and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.”
Cllr Miller added: “As the first council in the country to launch our shed on wheels, we are excited at the prospect of using it to support communities to buy into the ethos and establish their own static sheds that will be there for local men long after the mobile shed has gone.”
Paul Munday, secretary of EK Men’s Shed, said: “It has been great to see how the Men’s Shed has proved to be so popular in East Kilbride.
“When we first started in 2015, we met in Westwood Hall and then church halls.
“However, since receiving National Lottery funding, we now have our own premises at Westcoast Storage in Glenburn Road which is such a boost to enabling us to grow our membership – to the extent that we may need to expand!”
Big Lottery Fund Scotland chair Maureen McGinn added: “I am delighted that South Lanarkshire Seniors Together has been successful in securing a Big Lottery Fund grant.”