A shed load of Lotto cash for men’s group
£117,000 windfall
After proving a hit at venues in Hamilton, Men’s Shed is set to go mobile in South Lanarkshire after winning more than £117,000 of National Lottery funding.
The Men’s Shed movement – that involves establishing meeting places for older men where they can get together to share hobbies, learn new skills and make friends – originated in Australia and has become a global phenomenon
In South Lanarkshire, Seniors Together has taken a lead role in supporting the development of The Shed Men, who are also based at Hamilton Accies’ stadium.
And they have now secured a three-year Big Lottery Fund grant of £117,181 to support a ‘Mobile Men’s Shed’ programme.
Helen Biggins, chairperson of Seniors Together, said: “We are absolutely delighted about this a National Lottery award from the Big Lottery Fund and can’t to get started.
“I would like to thank all the men in South Lanarkshire who took part in surveys, focus groups and questionnaires which all helped us make this successful bid.”
The shed on wheels will travel across South Lanarkshire, delivering a programme designed to help to reduce feelings of loss, isolation and loneliness amongst older men in urban and rural communities by establishing new Men’s Shed groups.
The Men’s Shed model has proved particularly successful at engaging with individuals who might traditionally be seen as hard to reach or not engaging with existing services.
South Lanarkshire’s Mobile Shed will have a special focus on Hamilton, Blantyre, Strathaven, Stonehouse and surrounding rural areas.
Over the three years it is expected that 2250 older people will participate and 60 volunteers will assist with the delivery. wait