Men’s help group has funding pulled

Scotland’s largest men’s mental health charity faces being wound up in a matter of months after the government pulled all funding.

Critics warn the Scottish Government is “presiding over a loneliness timebomb” after cutting ties with the Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA).

The charity tackles social isolation among men and aims to improve quality of life for its community of 10,000 members across more than 200 independent sheds.

They help volunteers set up shared spaces where people from all walks of life can gather to learn new skills, pass on their experience and benefit from companionship.

The first Men’s Shed was opened in Westhill by Perthshire MSP John Swinney – and now the newly-appointed first minister is being asked to take action to save their future.

Government funding was scrapped in April 2022 but a last-minute sum of £75,000 was agreed between SNP ministers and the charity last year.

However, no funding has been agreed since and the charity now faces being wound up by the end of the year.

Politicians warn that would heap further pressure on already struggling health services.

There is also confusion over which area of government could support the charity after Tom Arthur, who previously held the community wealth portfolio, confirmed it is “not supported by a specific minister”.

The charity’s chief executive Jason Schroeder said: “We’ve got enough funding for about nine or 10 months and then we’ll be looking at winding up.

“That will mean the more than 200 groups lose all their support and all the new groups that are starting will have no support.

“We’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in October – hopefully we’ll be celebrating rather than closing. The truth is the impact of us closing would be felt throughout the sector and in communities across Scotland.”

Mr Schroeder described the level of funding from government as embarrassing. The Irish government provided one million euros last year, while Australia regularly gives millions of dollars in funding more than 30 years after the movement started.

An online petition for the Scottish Government to reverse its decision has reached more than 4,000 signatures.

Last year’s U-turn came after 40 MSPS came together to ask then-deputy first minister John Swinney to find the cash to ensure its survival. Politicians say Men’s Sheds provide an “incalculable benefit to society” and warn the level of funding required is far eclipsed by the cost to public services if the charity is allowed to collapse.

Mr Schroeder says it is “just not acceptable” a country with the highest rate of male suicide in the UK is washing its hands of a leading force in preventative action.

The charity has never received any money from the government’s suicide prevention fund but says its impact on mental health is “huge”.

Mr Schroeder said: “This is working – and not a lot of things are – and now all of that could be lost.

“I cannot understand why they would just say ‘no’ – and not even give us a reason for it. We have seen a letter sent to John Swinney from West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie.

It warns the Men’s Shed movement in Scotland is “very much at a precipice” and a clock is ticking on the existence of the organisation.

Mr Bowie says the NHS and council budgets “definitely feel the benefit of third-way intervention for loneliness and isolation before more costly cures are required”.

Scottish Conservative deputy health spokesperson Tess White said: “Cutting ties with a charity that helps 10,000 Scots, many of whom get tremendous relief from social isolation and loneliness, is scandalous. The value of Men’s Sheds to mental and physical health, and the public purse, has never been clearer.”

The Scottish Government said it has been supportive of Men’s Sheds since their inception, supporting the movement to grow from five sheds to 200 through £795,000 in direct funding.

It said the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has supported a number of Men’s Sheds across Scotland since 2021.

“In delivering our social isolation and loneliness strategy, A Connected Scotland, the Scottish Government will continue to engage with third sector organisations, including Men’s Sheds, to explore opportunities for people to connect.”

“We’ve got enough funding for nine or 10 months

POSITIVE: Lee Bushell and Bob Foulds at the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed – there are more than 200 nationwide.