Scottish Men's Sheds Association

30/10/2026

Very happy to see David Linden MSP raise this business motion https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S7M-01795 asking the Scottish Government to commit to developing a men’s health action plan. After the alarming findings in the Movember UK Scotland Report re Scottish Men's Health and our own petition to the First Minister. Men's Health Matters - Silent No More https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/petition-smsa-s-silent-no-more-campaign-driving-forward-a-scottish-men-s-health-strategy

Men in Scotland are facing a silent health crisis. They are significantly more likely to die by su***de, experience social isolation, and suffer poorer health outcomes than women—yet why does Scotland still not have a dedicated Men’s Health Strategy? While the UK Government announced its first e...

30/10/2026

FREE DEFIBRILLATORS

The British Heart Foundation Defibrillator Programme is giving out a limited number of free defibrillators to community groups in the UK.

Areas prioritised include those with fewer registered defibrillators and where local data suggests a need for greater defibrillator
coverage.

Apply by the 28th February 2027 (earlier dependent on volume of applications). Applications will be reviewed monthly.

BHF offers funding for defibrillators to community groups and resources to help you train your community in CPR with our free online RevivR CPR training.

30/10/2026

Great things are taking root in ‘The Gow’!

Really good to see a new Men’s Shed beginning to take shape in ‘The Gow’ – that’s Lesmahagow for anyone unfamiliar with their local lingo!

And what a fantastic show of community support, with The Black Bull generously offering the group a free let of their back room, Bertram’s. A great starting point for something that could become a real asset to the local community.

SMSA Development Officer Stewart Beck met with the group last night for a good blether and some Shed business, covering everything from constitutions, premises and health & safety to OSCR applications and SMSA membership.

There was also no hanging about when it came to getting organised! By the end of the evening, the guys had elected their steering group/committee – democracy in action, and a Shed taking shape before our very eyes!

There’s a really strong group of guys here, plenty of enthusiasm, and a great foundation to build on. Lesmahagow, we’re right behind you! Here’s to the start of something special. Every man needs a Shed! 👍

29/10/2026

Yesterday evening, SMSA Development Officer Brian McWilliam took a trip to Kemnay Men’s Shed to meet the members and see their new premises.

Since the start of this year, the Shed has been meeting at the local Village Hall – which is a great venue to meet and chat but unfortunately doesn’t allow for any of the typical Shed type projects to be undertaken. Currently all the tools/machinery etc is stored in members homes/garages. However, as of two weeks ago, the Shed has taken up a lease on a former fireplace salesroom just about 100 yards from the Village Hall.

Brian was met by Secretary Mitch Stevenson, who took him along to the new premises, where around 20 members had gathered. In such a small space of time they have already made great strides in fitting out the unit. The walls have been finished in plasterboard, a partition made to separate the workshop from social area and a kitchen, which was donated, is ready to install. It’s fair to say it’s all systems go to get their new home ready to move in just as quick as they can.

Everyone returned back to the Village Hall for a cup of tea/coffee and a ‘fine piece’ and everyone had a great discussion, firstly hearing from Brian on how the SMSA can support them in their development, with many questions put forward to Brian and then talking about their plans for the Shed as they move forward. There was great engagement from all present, which was great to see as everyone needs a voice in shaping the Shed activities. Membership is great for a Shed in such an early stage of its development.
Brian did mention that, as a season ticket holder, he would normally have been at Pittodrie – but with a disappointing loss to Falkirk that evening, it was probably better that Brian had gone along to Kemnay Men’s Shed instead ⚽

Brian thanked everyone for the great hospitality and for their engagement and headed back to Turriff.

And, don't forget - if you live in an AB or IV postcode area, vote for Kemnay Men’s Shed (and four other projects to submit your five votes) in this year’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund at: https://www.jtpbfund.scot/aberdeenshire

29/10/2026

Kemnay Men’s Shed needs your vote! 🙏

Kemnay Men’s Shed has applied to this year’s Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund for an electric van and generator to support its community projects in and around Kemnay.

Anyone aged 5 or over who lives in an AB or IV postcode area is eligible to vote.

✅ Explore the fantastic projects in the public vote.
✅ Choose your five favourite projects, including Kemnay Men’s Shed, and use all five votes to complete your ballot.

Vote here: https://www.jtpbfund.scot/aberdeenshire

Please share and help Kemnay Men’s Shed make this opportunity count. Thank you!

29/10/2026

Come along to the Shotts Men’s Shed Open Day! Meet the team, enjoy a cuppa, find out what a Men’s Shed is all about, and share your ideas for the future of the Shotts Shed. There’ll be a short video, a Q&A and plenty of friendly faces.

📍 Springhill Community Hub, Knoll Croft Road, ML7 5JF
📅 Friday 30 October, 2pm
🎟️ Free — everyone welcome!

28/10/2026

Well we applied and made the finals of the Social Enterprise Scotland Health and Social care category which considering the competition we were over the moon. David Gardner stepped in for our new Chairman who is away with me tonight to attend the award ceremony in Glasgow.

Thank you to all of you who voted in the public vote. It shows me how far the SMSA has come in 12 years and how people are finally seeing the enormous benefits in men's health and lives this movement is delivering across the population of Scotland.

27/10/2026

📣 The October 2026 edition of The Scottish Shedder is here!

This issue shines a light on the people, the projects and community spirit at the heart of Scotland’s Men’s Sheds.

Inside this edition, you’ll find:

🔹 SMSA CEO Dr Jason Schroeder on Scotland’s men’s health crisis and the call for a national dedicated men’s health strategy 🚹
🔹 Our 'Shed in the Spotlight' Glenrothes Men's Shed celebrating 10 years and more than 100 members 🥳
🔹 Stonehaven Men's Shed receiving its 2026 Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year targe 🏆
🔹 A royal visit to Midmar Men's Shed 👑
🔹 Intergenerational learning, inclusive activities and community projects 👥
🔹 A Viking-style longboat project at Troon Men's Shed 🛶
🔹 And much much more! Stories from Sheds all across Scotland, including new beginnings, milestone celebrations and the friendships that make Sheds special 🩵

📖 Read the October issue (pdf or flipbook version) at:
https://scottishmsa.org.uk/the-scottish-shedder-magazine

Know a Shed with a story to tell? We’d love to hear from you for a future issue - [email protected]

27/10/2026

Last Wednesday evening, SMSA Development Officers Brian McWilliam and Ross Murray gave a SHED-WISE presentation to Blackburn and Kinellar Men’s Shed. This was Brian’s first Shed-Wise for his area, so Ross came along to give some support, and they shared the presentation between them.

Brian and Ross were welcomed by member Dave Allan and were given a tour of the Shed, which is situated on the first floor of the H&R Insurance building and which has been home to the Shed since February 2026. In addition to Blackburn members, there was also a visitor from Westhill Mens Shed.

All those present engaged well during the presentation, which is essential to get maximum benefit from the session. After the talk, everyone enjoyed a cup of tea/coffee and had a good chat about all things in the Shed movement. It was great to have someone from Westhill involved who could give a perspective on things from a Shed who have been there from the start.

After thanking Dave and the others for their hospitality, Brian and Ross headed back up the road.