Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed wins national accolade for second year in a row
A group has been named Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year for the second year in a row.
It was announced that Banff, Macduff and District Men's Shed had retained the award at the charity’s 10th anniversary celebration in Perth.
Representatives from the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) – the national support hub for 200+ groups and Scotland’s largest member-led men’s health and wellbeing charity – made the big announcement at their gathering and day conference.
The event featured a day of learning and networking for guest sheds from all across the country.
Also in the final for the Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year were Breadalbane and Maryburgh.
SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed won the title last year and are the first former winner to ever reapply and we are delighted that they did.
“They have taken the title once again with Maryburgh Men’s Shed coming a close second followed by Breadalbane for our bronze winner.
“When we launched these awards back in 2019, it was never about winning – every shed is a winner.
“The purpose is to raise awareness, celebrate, recognise and reward Scottish Men’s Shed volunteers for the work they are carrying out to improve men’s health and wellbeing and the impact that they are making in their local communities.
“Since then, the awards have grown tenfold. The tenacity of the Shedders to pull together never ceases to impress me. It is testament to personal and community commitment working selflessly for better quality lives.”
Mr Schroeder presented the winning shed with the unique and esteemed SMSA targe trophy engraved with the shed name and displayed in its stand designed and produced by inaugural winner, Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed, whose members were also present and had a surprise gift to mark the association’s milestone.
The Banff shed will now hold the trophy until next year’s winner is announced.
Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed chairman Bob Copland said: “We got so much out of the awards last year that we reapplied to support the programme and the SMSA.
“We really didn’t expect to win again but, now we are over the shock, we are absolutely thrilled.”
Along with the title and trophy, the shed receives prizes and discounts to support its running including a £500 unrestricted cash prize from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA shed membership fees); a £150 voucher from Axminster Tools; a £250 voucher from Scotmid Co-operative to keep the guys going for a while in tea and biscuits; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Training worth £638; and a year’s free accounts package from Thyme Accountants worth £360 to support the group’s treasurer.
The anniversary event was supported by partners including Morrison Construction, Asda, Costco UK, Tesco and Morrisons.
The conference also featured a 3D printing showcase by Paul Stewart from Three Towns Men’s Shed; a MOT4Men preventative men’s health workshop delivered by the SMSA; the community asset transfer process delivered by Community Ownership Support Service (COSS); and Machine Competency and Woodwork Safety delivered by David Young Training.
Dr Danielle Hutcheon and Julie Cowie from Glasgow Caledonian University talked on their new research on the “Impacts of Men’s Sheds on the Health and Wellbeing of Working Age Men from Disadvantaged Communities”.
Alison Leitch from the Scottish Social Prescribing Network presented on “Social Prescribing in Scottish Men’s Sheds” – and the SMSA announced that it is currently working on guidance to share with its shed members – and Mark Bloomfield from Axminster Tools also spoke on how it can support men’s sheds with advice and discounts to kit out their workshops.
Guests were also treated to a pre-tour peek of the “Men Don’t Talk” play before Pete Lannon, engagement officer for Genesis Theatre Productions, highlighted some opportunities available for sheds to get involved in the upcoming Scottish tour kicking off from October 18 by providing some props from their sheds to the venues for each performance.
The event was made possible thanks to hospitality from Perth and Kinross Council.
The association received a civic reception and welcome from Provost Xander McDade and was also joined by local councillors and senior managers including Vice Lord-Lieutenant Alex Cairncross, Moderator of the Society of High Constables Bill Duncan and Lord Dean of Guild Euan Begg.
Provost Xander McDade said: “We gathered here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association charity and the wonderful volunteers that run men’s sheds in their local communities.
What has been achieved in 10 years is phenomenal – from the launch of the first Scottish shed in 2013 to now having 203 open or developing shed groups.
“They are delivering transformational work and we look forward to seeing even more in the next 10 years.”
Visit www.scottishmsa.org.uk/find-a-shed for more information about the association.
