Campaign leads to funding reversal

A vital charity has fought closure after the Scottish Government revered a funding decision.

Scottish Men’s Sheds Association faced a huge cash shortfall and launched an all-channels appeal for support.

It now says it has managed to keep the organisation running for the next year after intervention from members as well as the public.

Addressing the association’s 3,300 individual members and 146 shed members across Scotland, chief executive Jason Schroeder said: “First and foremost, we wish to express our sincere thanks to the 4,000+ supporters that signed our 38 Degrees petition and the 40 plus cross-party members of Scottish Parliament that co-signed our letter to appeal to the former first minister and deputy first minister to reverse the decision to cut our funding.

“We did not get the level of funding that we require however we are delighted to have overturned this decision and overwhelmed by the backing received from our members, politicians and members of the public far and wide in addition to the local and national media for helping us raise awareness of our vital work and the need for the association to exist to continue to support and grow this invaluable men’s health movement even further and reach more men across Scotland to combat social isolation, loneliness and boredom.

“The core funding received from the Scottish Government and several smaller funders has taken the pressure off, for now, enabling us to remain open for another financial year allowing us to continue supporting the movement and explore alternative funding sources – within and outwith the Scottish Government – to support our development plans.

“We not only need to keep the association’s doors open but wish to expand the national hub to meet the needs of this rapidly growing movement - now with 202 Shed groups and a reach to 10,000+ men/volunteers in all 32 local authority areas across the nation - whilst striving to ensure preventative men’s health initiatives, like Men’s Sheds, are a top health priority.

“The future is looking bright with exciting plans and projects in the pipeline working with lots of new partners. We still have a long way to go but are moving in the right direction. Keep up the support - we can’t do this without you for the future of men’s health in our country.”